0:00:02 > 0:00:04Do you dream of having your own special outdoor space,
0:00:04 > 0:00:09a small garden that you can admire, enjoy and call your own?
0:00:09 > 0:00:14And then you stop and think, "I have no idea how to make it."
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Well, you're not alone.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Monty Don has travelled up and down the country
0:00:18 > 0:00:22visiting amateur gardeners with bold ambitions.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26He's scrutinised their plans
0:00:26 > 0:00:28and pushed them out of their comfort zones.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32It's going out into deeper, darkest, unknown territory, isn't it?
0:00:32 > 0:00:33It's not been easy.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- I hate it.- Argh!
0:00:39 > 0:00:42But everyone's worked incredibly hard.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Both of us want to sleep for a week, pretty much.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46You've had your tea break, come on.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And the transformations have been extraordinary.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It's just incredible, it really is.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I declare this garden open.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56CHEERING
0:00:56 > 0:00:59I do believe that everybody, however small their garden,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02can cultivate a big dream.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Ooh, there we go.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13This time, Monty is meeting two couples,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15who may live 200 miles apart,
0:01:15 > 0:01:20but they both share the same view - piles of rubble.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22You did your first plant, babe. Well done.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24With little know-how... THEY LAUGH
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- We need some help, don't we? - Definitely.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Who better than the nation's number one gardener?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33You don't need to do anything to it at all, really. It's perfect(!)
0:01:33 > 0:01:37..can our couples turn their big plans into a reality?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- I just think that this is messy. - I want it all.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Can they learn the tricks of the trade?
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Boom, boom, boom. You know, go for it!
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's actually quite weird to finally see
0:01:49 > 0:01:51what was in my head happening for real.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55I feel really emotional about it, actually. Been a long journey.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Our first dreamers live in Tufnell Park.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Ian is a keen environmentalist and works in waste management.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Rose has an artistic flair and is a web designer.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11The garden was my idea. Part of the reason for moving
0:02:11 > 0:02:14is that we wanted the garden. We lived on the fifth floor before.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16I told him we could only have a garden
0:02:16 > 0:02:18if I didn't have to do anything with it at all.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19And now I can't keep her out of it.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23They moved into their basement flat nine months ago
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and, although neither have tackled a garden before,
0:02:25 > 0:02:30they dream of turning this neglected space into a wildlife haven.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34We want to have bird boxes, bat boxes, all kinds of stuff.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- Hedgehog houses. - Yeah, frogitats, hogitats.- Yeah.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Stag beetle loggeries, all that stuff.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Their dream is a long way off yet.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46At the moment, the garden's a bit of a building site.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49We've pulled so much rubble out of the back of the garden.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- We've found bits of bikes, door handles...- Everything.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58Plastic bags, crisp packets, all buried in the garden for years.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And the messy space is not their only worry.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04With Monty booked in to come and see them shortly,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07they don't yet see eye to eye on the colour scheme.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Some flowers and plants we might have a bit of disagreement on,
0:03:10 > 0:03:11but I'm sure we'll come to...
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I like white flowers and silver leaves
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- and he told me I can't have any. - Um, just not that many.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Our second dreamers live 200 miles north, in Stockport.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30The garden we've got at the moment is a building site,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32to be perfectly honest. Would you agree?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34I would totally agree.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Jo is a flight attendant so, for her,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38long-distance travel is a way of life.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Her husband, Steve, sticks closer to home and works as a baker.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46They've just finished an extension to their kitchen,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50which means their garden has become a complete dump.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I see it as a fantastic opportunity to rip everything up and start again
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- and have the garden that we've always wanted.- New and fresh.- Yeah.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01With Jo's packed flight schedule
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and Steve working long shifts at the bakery,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06both are in need of a place to relax.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I think it's really important to have a peaceful place,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11a sort of sanctuary, really,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15just to get away from all the hustle and bustle
0:04:15 > 0:04:18and stress of everyday life that we all go through.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Although they both want to create a garden sanctuary,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24they have very different ideas.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Yes, it is a big thing to have a water feature and a river
0:04:28 > 0:04:32and a waterfall into a pond but...but why not?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36I'd much prefer to have a fish tank.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I want it all.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48It's June.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50The sun is shining in London
0:04:50 > 0:04:55and our novice gardeners, Rose and Ian, are expecting Monty any minute.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- We need some help, don't we? - Definitely.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00And who better than the nation's number one gardener
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- to help us get there? - ROSE LAUGHS
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Very interested to see what he has to say about our plans.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06We spent a lot of time on the plans
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and we hope he's not going to completely rip them apart.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Hello.- Hi, Monty, good to met you.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Hi, you must be Rose.- I am. - Hi Monty. Ian.- Ian, lovely.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Come on down. - You're down here, are you?
0:05:17 > 0:05:18Can I get you a cup of tea, Monty?
0:05:18 > 0:05:20If there's one going, that would be lovely.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- Can I have one as well? - ROSE LAUGHS
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- This is a big garden, isn't it? - It's really big for London.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30We were quite astounded. When we saw the place for the first time,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32we couldn't believe it. My jaw fell on the floor.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36So, you got it as much for the garden as anything else?
0:05:36 > 0:05:37For me, it was a big driver.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Less so for Rose, but I really wanted a place with a decent garden.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44I told him if he wanted a garden, he had to do all the work in it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- Yeah, how's that working out for you?- But I've got drawn into it.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- You've been sucked into the steamy world of horticulture.- She has.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- So, what is the plan?- Over to you.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56We want to make a wildlife garden, really, primarily,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00but also make it so that we can enjoy a space outside as well.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03There's no reason why a wildlife garden can't a) look beautiful,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- and b) you can be part of the wildlife...- Yeah.- ..and use it.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- It's fairly shady. It's a sunny day today and it's fairly shady.- Yes.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Is that because the trees...? Where does the sun rise?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It's north-facing, so it's coming over the top right now.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18We've cut quite a few down already.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21The trees are not their only problem.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23When Ian and Rose cleared the garden,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25they discovered the back wall had collapsed,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28so they'll have to find extra funds to rebuild it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- How much money have you got?- Well, originally, our budget was £3,000.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Right.- But then, when we found all of that down the bottom
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and realised we're going to have to get a builder in...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I'm thinking more like £5,000, £6,000 probably, in total.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I'd love to see what you've got on paper.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Plan, pictures, ideas, whatever. - We've got that.- OK.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Come on through and we'll show you.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53And it's not your usual homemade sketch.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55I am impressed!
0:06:57 > 0:07:00It's all Rose's doing. I can't take credit for this.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- It's what you get when you have a web designer design a garden.- Fine.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Well...so far, so good.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Rose and Ian want to create a semicircular patio.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14A winding path leads across a circular lawn, with plants round it.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18The path continues over the pond.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22This will have rotting logs and a rockery to help attract wildlife.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26There will be a second, larger patio for entertaining.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And at the bottom, a vegetable patch and shed,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32hidden from view by bamboo.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Even though they have a healthy budget of up to £6,000,
0:07:37 > 0:07:42Monty wants to help them lift their ideas off the page a bit better.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- There is one problem I can see instantly.- OK.- Mm.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Doing a path snaking across a lawn
0:07:48 > 0:07:51means that you will actually walk there.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- That's what I said. - That's what he kept saying.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- But it looks pretty. - It does look pretty but...
0:07:57 > 0:07:58But naturally, you walk...
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Everybody does. It's the line of desire. There are two ways round it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06One is simply lose the path,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08so the lawn itself becomes a path
0:08:08 > 0:08:11and people can take whatever route they like,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14which will tend to be that way. Or make the path straight.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Monty suggests they should make the path straighter,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21reduce the size of both the lawn and patio
0:08:21 > 0:08:24to allow for more wildlife-friendly plants
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and add trellis to the low walls
0:08:27 > 0:08:29to grow climbers and create more privacy.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Let's have a look on the ground,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37walk it through and sort of say... And then take stock of...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I can tell you, "You're going to have trouble growing those there."
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Let's see if we can make a pretty picture into a pretty garden.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46That sounds like a plan to me.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50This space may be big at 146 square metres,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53but Monty wants to encourage more thinking around the content,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55rather than the plan on paper.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Don't underestimate the importance of the planting.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- At the moment you're focussing on the big areas.- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08Generically, THE vegetable garden, THE patio, THE pond, THE lawn.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Actually, the bits in between are going to be just as important.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The more space for planting, the more wildlife you'll have.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Monty also points out some specific areas they must get right.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24When you've got your basic structure in, ie the stonework...
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- What to put there.- ..and prepared the ground, cos this soil is poor.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Is it? You can tell, can you?- Yeah.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Then, when it's prepared, then the planting can...
0:09:33 > 0:09:36We can start working out what works, what doesn't work.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40And before he leaves, Monty is determined to tackle the trees
0:09:40 > 0:09:43that will hamper these dreamers' plans.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Don't pull it down too much.- No, I'm pushing up, if anything.- OK.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- Yeah.- There you go.- Heavy. - Clean cut.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Ooh.- Ooh, there you go. Well done.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57Ooh.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06OK, now I'll leave you. I'll leave you to tidy up my mess.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Oh, thank you, Monty. Thank you, it's been great.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Bye-bye. And good luck.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14And, if the weather stays good, you'll crack on, I know you will.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- Let's hope so. - All right, see you soon. Bye-bye.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Thanks, Monty. Bye.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's not often you invite a top gardener in
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and he leaves the place more chaotic than when he arrived.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Come back. We haven't finished with you yet.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Look at this mess-up you've made.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I think that Ian and Rose have got a handle on this garden.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37They know what they want, they've organised it,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and they've set about it already
0:10:39 > 0:10:43with a lot of confidence and efficiency.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Lots to do, lots to buy, lots to organise.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- It's going to take a lot of hard work.- A lot of hard work, yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- But we're up for it.- Yeah. You like shopping as well, so that's good.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- Mm, shopping.- Shopping.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's going to need more than a spot of shopping
0:10:56 > 0:10:59to get THIS dream into shape.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00I've enjoyed today
0:11:00 > 0:11:04and I'm enjoying the plans and ideas behind the garden.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Basically, I'm just going to stand by and wait for the call,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09when it comes, to help them in any way they need.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16In Stockport, despite their complicated work schedules,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Jo and Steve have made time to meet their favourite gardener
0:11:19 > 0:11:23and they're hoping Monty will help them settle a minor dispute.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Really excited to see Monty.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Can't believe the day's really arrived at long last.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30We can get stuck in and, more importantly,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- we'll find out whether we're having my pond or not, won't we?- We will.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Hopefully HE can find a way to...dissuade you.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42MONTY KNOCKS ON THE DOOR
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Hello.- Hello, hello.- Nice to meet you.- Hello, Monty, nice to meet you.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Welcome.- Great. - Come and see our garden.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- Is this the new extension?- This is the new extension.- Yeah.- It's big.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- So, we took some garden out. - And here is our garden.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Well, you don't need to do anything at all to it, really.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04It's perfect(!)
0:12:04 > 0:12:08The garden is 107 square metres in all
0:12:08 > 0:12:10and curves around the side of the house.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Every bit of it is in need of a serious revamp.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Is the soil from the building work? - It is, yeah.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21We dug the foundations out by hand ourselves and buried it over there.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- I'm sure it was hard work, I'm not doubting that.- It was.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- But it does look quite light soil. - It is, yeah.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29So, that's informative for the garden.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33They want to make a virtue of their leftover soil and create two levels
0:12:33 > 0:12:37in the back garden with a retaining wall built from railway sleepers.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43- That end is shady.- Yeah.- And your patio will be sunny.- Yes.- Fine.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45And then, possibly,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48have a sunken area at the back where I can hide away and lose myself.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- So, you're climbing up to sink.- Yes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54And then, if it's sunken down, I can have the plants at eye level,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56listen to the birds, see the wildlife
0:12:56 > 0:12:57and just get away from it all.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- We're very enthusiastic and we're going to give it a go.- I like that.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- That's music to my ears. - We'll learn by our mistakes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Seriously, if you're frightened of making mistakes,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07you'll never learn anything.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Steve is going along with the plan so far,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13but it's time to talk about the water feature.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- Steve's not really keen for a pond. - Yeah.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17But it's quite funny because I said,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21"OK, tell me why you don't want a pond." So, what did you do?
0:13:21 > 0:13:25Like everybody does, I went on the internet, like you do,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29and put "Top reasons not to have a pond". I couldn't find none.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Now the couple hope Monty will be the mediator.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- You've both got to want whatever you have.- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38It's no good one of you imposing something onto the other
0:13:38 > 0:13:40cos you're both going to have to live with it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43You've described to me quite a lot of work.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Patio here, retaining walls, steps, hideaway. What's your budget?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- £5,000.- It's realistic.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54It's not extravagant but it's not silly.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Yeah.- Let's look at these plans. Come on.- Let's do it.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Thank you.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03OK, is this the master plan?
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Yeah, so this is the overall plan, so you get the shape of the house.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- And this is to scale?- Pretty much.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Jo and Steve's dream garden begins with a large patio area
0:14:15 > 0:14:17surrounded by raised beds.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Steps and a path lead through cottage-style planting
0:14:22 > 0:14:24to a sunken seating area.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Jo also wants a fountain running into a stream,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32which will lead all the way to a pond in the side garden.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35The garden will be styled differently
0:14:35 > 0:14:38with pebbled and Asian-style planting.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41If that's not complicated enough,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44the stream isn't in a straight line either.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48The more twisty and bendy it is,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- the harder the whole thing's going to be.- OK.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52So, as you've drawn it...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Bearing in mind that's got to be the highest point.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59That's got to be a steady drop, so you're dropping in that direction
0:14:59 > 0:15:02and in that direction and then again in that direction and down.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- That's ambitious. - The stream's open to...- OK.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I just think that this is messy.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Yeah, I think I just want everything in there.- Yeah, I think you do.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14We've sat down and spoke about this many a time.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18It's time for Monty to create a bit of order.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21This is the sort of detail you need to work out, OK.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- The ideas are fine.- Yeah.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26But once you commit something to paper...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30..it needs to have a degree of accuracy
0:15:30 > 0:15:33if it's to be a plan, otherwise it's a sketch.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Sketches are good and they're fine, but they are not plans.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Monty thinks they should leave the Asian-style side garden for now
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and use this space for storage
0:15:43 > 0:15:45while they focus their attention on the main part.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48The stream should end in a pond in the back garden,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50at least for the time being.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53He's also concerned about the sunken area.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56He thinks it would be simpler to keep to two levels
0:15:56 > 0:15:59and use lush planting to create the secluded feel
0:15:59 > 0:16:01that the couple are after.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Just keep coming up with ideas and I see so many different things
0:16:04 > 0:16:06and I know I've got to pare it back
0:16:06 > 0:16:09but it's just, "I like this, I like that."
0:16:09 > 0:16:13If you're on a roll and you want to do it, great, push on.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14But I'd do that first.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17To show Jo just how hard it will be
0:16:17 > 0:16:19to fit all her ideas into this space,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Monty suggests they walk the course.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- It's quite small spaces.- Mm.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- This first thing you've got to do is establish all your levels.- Yes.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Cos until you do that,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34you can't sort out your planting or anything, can you?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37With the plan mapped out, sort of,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Monty gets down to some practical help.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44I think we could go round, digging up the pants you want to keep,
0:16:44 > 0:16:45potting them up.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- If we've got some help, start shifting some of this soil.- Yeah.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Get some grunt into it.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55And on cue, his helpers appear, ready for action.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57To begin at the beginning,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00I think we have to clear this soil and get some sort of shape into it.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02So, I think the first thing to do is to cut back
0:17:02 > 0:17:05exactly where you want the patio, salvage the plants you want -
0:17:05 > 0:17:09and I can help you do that - prune back where pruning is appropriate,
0:17:09 > 0:17:14get rid of all the wood and stone and then start shifting soil.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17The team get busy clearing.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Jo, who admits to wanting to save everything,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23gets expert advice on what to keep.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Now, if we can tie it back at all.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- This will be fine for the rest of the summer.- OK.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32But then it will need moving and potting on.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36But when you pot it on, add grit, drainage - really important.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Jo would also like to save the climbers she's been growing
0:17:40 > 0:17:44along the fence, so Monty steps in to give a quick lesson in pruning.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50You've got a mixture here of honeysuckle and clematis.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54There's an adage, which is, "If it flowers before June, don't prune."
0:17:54 > 0:17:56And that applies to Clematis montana,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Clematis alpina, macropetala.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- But now, which is midsummer... - Yeah.- A perfect time.- OK.
0:18:04 > 0:18:05Don't leave it any longer,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- because you're cutting off growth for next year's flowers.- Right.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11So, it flowers on the growth it makes this year.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15And Monty leave Jo with a last helpful tip.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16If you love a plant, keep it.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20If it's really healthy and happy or has a meaning to you, keep it.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- But if you're not sure... - Yeah.- ..start again.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26So, I think the reaction to the plans was...mixed.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28What I'd expected.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31There are a lot of very loose ideas floating about.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Good ideas, but they can't all fit.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Steve kept saying,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37"He's going to tell you you need to wind your neck in."
0:18:37 > 0:18:40He didn't actually say that but he liked the back.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I said there's a lot going on and he agreed.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47I'm delighted that they've agreed to set aside half the garden.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50That means they can focus their energy
0:18:50 > 0:18:53on the one piece that they're going to see all the time.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And I think, if they can then take control over this mound of soil
0:18:58 > 0:19:02that's dictating the shape, and get some order into it,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04then it will come together.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I'm a bit scared though now,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09cos looking at it now, it's like, "Oh, right, OK."
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- It's quite big.- Yeah. - But it's doable and we will do it.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22It's early July.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25London is in full bloom and Ian and Rose are busy
0:19:25 > 0:19:27trying to make a wildlife haven
0:19:27 > 0:19:29from their recently acquired back garden in Tufnell Park.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Just how much has Rose, the web designer,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35listened to Monty's suggestions?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Doing quite a lot of what Monty said.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- Straightened up the path a bit. Not 100% straight.- It will be, yeah.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Cos it's all circles, so entirely straight wouldn't look right.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48The light coming through since he was last here has been great,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50when he cut the branches down.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Hoping to get some serious work done while the sun is shining,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57they have persuaded their friends, Nick and Amber, to help out.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Today's task is digging out the pond.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04You can tell we're not massively experienced at this, right?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Ian is also hell-bent on tackling a persistent problem.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12It's going right through from the tree, down here,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15back out here and burst through this wall.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18This wall needs to be rebuilt, so this has to come out.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20With four large trees in the garden,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23everywhere they dig is a maze of roots.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25They can't get on with the new wall
0:20:25 > 0:20:27unless they can get rid of at least some of them.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Hoorah, I win!
0:20:29 > 0:20:33And their hard graft is paying off for the diggers too.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36I think we need to measure some of this.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38So, if it's not level, you'll get a skewered pond?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41You end up with your pond liner showing.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- Hmm.- You don't want your pond liner showing. That's very bad etiquette.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51If we can finish digging the pond out by the end of the day,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- I will be super happy. - I'm a big fan of the pool thing.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I think I've found my gardening expertise.
0:20:58 > 0:21:04The pond might be going well, but Ian has finally found his nemesis.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It's too big here. I will beat you.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Their lack of experience seems to be taking its toll
0:21:13 > 0:21:16on the plucky couple.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19We keep finding more and more problems as we go.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- But never mind, we're getting there. - Yeah, we are. It's slow progress.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Which has grown me some muscles.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27And me, tennis elbow.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33But it's OK. We'll soldier on, you know. It's got to be done.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39In need of a boost to their flagging spirits,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41not to mention some planting know-how,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Monty has sent our Tufnell Park dreamers to get some inspiration
0:21:45 > 0:21:47from a special garden in Essex.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51It belongs to Beth Chatto.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53She started work here over 50 years ago,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56turning this five-acre stretch of the family estate
0:21:56 > 0:21:59into one of the best-known gardens in the country.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02The land had been considered useless for farming.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Some areas were waterlogged and others were too dry or shady.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12It's since been transformed with plants adapted for each environment.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17David Ward and his team are experts in planting in woodland,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19grassland and wetlands.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Ian's eye is immediately caught by a very special looking shrub.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Oh, I like this. This is great.- It's stunning.- Beautiful.- This one here?
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- Yeah.- This is Miss Willmott's ghost. - That's quite a name.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- The bees love it as well. - Good bee plant, excellent plant.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37It's a biennial plant.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's called Miss Willmott's ghost
0:22:39 > 0:22:41because Miss Willmott, who was a famous gardener
0:22:41 > 0:22:44back in the sort of late 1800s, 1900s,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47used to take some of the seed and when she visited other gardens,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- she would just throw it around.- Oh.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51And, of course, a couple of years later,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- up would pop these ghostly thistles. - Yeah.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Dave has some good general advice
0:22:56 > 0:22:59for what will be happy in shady areas of the garden.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02You have to bear in mind that shade gardens under trees,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05plants do tend to flower in the spring,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08because they've taken advantage of the light and the moisture
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- that's there after the winter.- Sure.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13So, in summer, you tend to get lots of foliage, so it's important
0:23:13 > 0:23:17you choose good foliage plants, such as this lovely black grass.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Yeah, we love this. - Perhaps ferns elsewhere.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22If you have a look around here, there's not a great deal of flower
0:23:22 > 0:23:25but there's a lot of foliage, a lot of form, a lot of shape.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30This one's particularly interesting, Dave. What's this one?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- This is a lovely fern, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- This is Wallich's fern, Dryopteris wallichiana.- OK.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- A lovely fern, lovely statement fern.- It is very bold, isn't it?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41It's very bold. That lovely dark mid rib to the fern,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45lovely dark, glossy, green leaves. It's a real feature plant.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49There are many, many hundreds of varieties available.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- This is quite easy to get hold of. - It is? Good.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The gardens are also designed to encourage wildlife
0:23:55 > 0:23:58and a key part of that is the pond.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00We'd really like a lily, a water lily.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05- Just the one.- OK.- Not too many cos it's quite a small pond.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07What sort of conditions do they like?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Again, we've got quite a lot of shade over our pond
0:24:10 > 0:24:12but they would get a couple of hours of sunlight.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Water lilies, in general, do like as much sunlight as possible.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19They do tend to flower better in the sun. It's worth a go.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Everything's an experiment when you're gardening.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- But they won't die?- They won't die, no.- They won't flourish as well.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27They wouldn't flourish as well, no.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30There's another choice you could use, which is water hawthorn.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34It's not as dramatic and lovely as a water lily,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37but quite an interesting spike of white flowers.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42David explains that water hawthorn shows off its white blooms
0:24:42 > 0:24:45from early spring and is perfectly suited to smaller ponds.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Mm.- OK.- That's always worth considering for a shady pond.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54It's been a really inspiring visit for our amateur gardeners
0:24:54 > 0:24:58and helped them get beyond the first phase of their ambitious project.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Lots of things to take back to the garden then.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05- Yeah, we certainly have. - Once we get over the rubble stage.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07It really focussed our minds a bit more.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10It's been very much about the planning and the structure
0:25:10 > 0:25:13and the landscaping of the garden and now it's finally coming together
0:25:13 > 0:25:17and you can perceive it as a whole piece, so that's been really useful.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22In Stockport, Jo and Steve are hard at work.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28They have big plans to transform their garden into a tranquil space,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30with lots of different areas of interest.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34But, as Monty suggested, they're focussing on the back garden.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37We're getting there slowly but surely.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Starting to see some progress.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Yeah, the big dream is coming alive at long last.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47To help them work out if they really want to dig the sunken area,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49let alone a complicated stream,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Monty recommended finding the level for their retaining wall,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56one of the few features not up for discussion.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Those sleepers - if I never see
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- or have to drill into a sleeper ever again...- Yeah.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Today, the couple have got in some extra muscle
0:26:05 > 0:26:09in the shape of Jo's step-dad, Ian, and Steve's dad, Dave.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12But as they try and get the sleepers in place, it is clear
0:26:12 > 0:26:16that Jo is project manager and in the end, it's her word that counts.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Jo, come and have a look at this.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- Right, it's not actually that bad, is it?- No.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Sleeper sorted, the men take a rest, but not for long.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32You've had your tea break, come on!
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Right, what about if we get cracking on and get that level done?
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Come on, you two, put your back into it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42With the heavy lifting done,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45the project manager allows Steve to try
0:26:45 > 0:26:47something altogether more gentle.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Push it in with your fingers hard, so there's no gaps.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54You did your first plant, babe. Well done.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57THEY LAUGH
0:26:57 > 0:26:58Right, come on.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Although the garden is starting to take shape,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Jo and Steve still have a never-ending to do list.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08So, backfill the pond, get the liner in, water feature,
0:27:08 > 0:27:13- lay a patio and a pergola.- Pergola. - Never mind lighting.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- Lighting we need to sort.- Lighting.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- But, yeah, that's not much, is it, in a few weeks?- Furniture.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23- Furniture.- Fire pit.- Fire pit. - Tables and everything else.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Yeah. We'll just see how we get on with that.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30To try and help Jo and Steve understand
0:27:30 > 0:27:34that sometimes less is more, and give Steve a well-earned rest,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Monty has suggested they visit Marwood Hill Gardens in Devon.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Set in a valley, the 20 acres is protected from the elements
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and has its own microclimate.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50The gardens were created by the late Dr Jimmy Smart,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52who moved here in the 1940s.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54He received the Victoria Medal of Honour
0:27:54 > 0:27:56for his horticultural achievements.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59It's home to an exciting collection of rare flowers,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02as well as spectacular cottage-style borders.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05These were definitely on Jo's wish list.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Hello.- I'm Jo.- I'm Joe as well. Hello.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- I'm Steve.- Very nice to meet you.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Joe Reardon-Smith is the head gardener here
0:28:13 > 0:28:16and he redesigned this herbaceous border earlier in the year.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I love the mixture of colours.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Not really a big fan on pinks, although they look stunning.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Joe explains how he mixed the plants to create this overall look.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29- Yeah, that's got a more soft salmony tone coming through it.- Yeah.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33And it goes fantastically with the persicaria, which is lovely.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35So if you have lovely bold groups
0:28:35 > 0:28:37which are sort of soft and flowing forwards...
0:28:37 > 0:28:40- They're beautiful. - Don't have it too bitty.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Keep it simple, but effective.- Yeah.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46He also adds a tip which is music to Jo's ears.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48All these plants will then sort of carry on
0:28:48 > 0:28:50and just keep going for you, right throughout the summer,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52with very little maintenance.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54They're very well-behaved creatures, very tough.
0:28:54 > 0:28:55They'll just go to sleep in the winter.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58My idea of gardening, when we've done the hard work and finished it,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- is to sit back and enjoy looking at it.- Absolutely.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Bit of weeding, bit of pottering,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- but not too much messing about with it.- No, no.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08If you get the bones right and you get the preparation,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11and you decide very carefully what you want to put in there,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16and don't be afraid to almost repeat blocks of colour around the garden.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Yeah.- Because it holds the whole garden together.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20And just like Monty,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23this expert gardener tells our dreamers they are better off
0:29:23 > 0:29:27choosing a smaller selection of plants to create a big impact.
0:29:27 > 0:29:33- This lovely little creature is a foxglove, would you believe?- Wow.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36It's really quite perennial. It'll come back year after year.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40It does like the sunshine and likes a good well-drained spot.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Foxgloves do grow well in our garden.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- They're Steve's favourite flower. - They're my favourite.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Well, just have this on a miniature scale.- Yeah.- But they're lovely.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52We've had a lovely day here in Devon.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Fantastic gardens, lots to see, lots of knowledge,
0:29:55 > 0:30:00and Joe's been a fantastic host, given us lots of ideas.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03And the advice from both gardeners, to pare down their plans,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06seems to have worked with Steve, at least.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09In my mind, he's made it a lot clearer and a lot more simple
0:30:09 > 0:30:11of how we can make an impact
0:30:11 > 0:30:16with two...possibly three, types of plant,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19rather than having a whole host of plants.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- As they say, less is more. - I'd be less.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Great day. Really enjoyed it. - Fantastic day.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32It's the middle of August
0:30:32 > 0:30:36and Monty is arriving any minute at Ian and Rose's Tufnell Park flat.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39They hope to transform the space
0:30:39 > 0:30:42into a neatly designed haven for wildlife and themselves,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44complete with pond and patio.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47And in order to get that done,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51they've decided to leave the veg patches until next spring.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Plans are starting to take shape now.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55We can see all the different habitats
0:30:55 > 0:31:00and it's actually starting to look like a garden for the first time.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04- Yeah.- We've got soil, we've got patio.- We've got a pond.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06With a very particular touch.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- We've got a lot of plants. We just need to get them planted.- Yeah.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14But Ian and Rose are feeling a bit defeated.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17We are broken to the core.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Both of us want to sleep for a week, pretty much.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22We didn't really realise how much work it was going to be.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26Oh, dear. It's lucky Monty is coming back to give them a boost.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31I'm delighted to see you and equally delighted
0:31:31 > 0:31:35- not to see the detritus and building site that was here.- Was it that bad?
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- So, has it been solid graft? - Oh, yeah.- Oh, yes.- Yeah.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- And we've had a lot of help. We have had a lot of help.- Yeah.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46But clearly the path's in and the patio's in and the pond's in.
0:31:46 > 0:31:47That's great.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Have you dug this deeply or have you just raked it over?
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- No, it's all dug over. All the rubble out.- Great.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- 60 bags of soil improver are in the ground.- Fantastic.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58You won't regret it, I promise you.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Any preparation is going to bear fruit.- Yeah.- It won't be wasted.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Monty can see how much work they've done and how exhausted they are,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09so it's time for some fun.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- OK, let's get some system into this.- Mm-hmm.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14To start with, are there any plants that you really know
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- where you would like to put them? - A few, yes.- Let's start with those.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20These ones in bags have come from my mother.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Oh, they're still nice and wet.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29Right, cardoon - really big, structural, glaucous foliage,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- can grow six, eight foot tall... - Wow, really?
0:32:32 > 0:32:35..every year and then will die back and will then grow again.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Thanks to their inspirational visit,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40they've mostly gone for plants that like shade.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- Maybe at the back or in the middle? - No, no, keep...
0:32:43 > 0:32:45- Keep them all together? - Keep it ferny.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Keep it simple and strong.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51But a few sun-lovers have slipped through the net.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55With the cotinus, what I find with cotinus is they need
0:32:55 > 0:32:57as much sun as you can give them
0:32:57 > 0:33:00because the purple foliage struggles
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- to photosynthesise if it's in shade. - OK.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05This structural planting, if you're happy with it,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- can go in the ground now and then you can work around it.- Great.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13With the larger plants laid out, the backup team get going
0:33:13 > 0:33:16and Rose is determined to get a special plant installed,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18with Monty's expertise.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- I'd really like some help with planting my water lily.- OK.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- It's come barerooted.- Fine.- So, I think I've got all the materials.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Water lilies tend to come barerooted
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and you've got yourself a good aquatic basket,
0:33:30 > 0:33:32which has got holes in it,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34which allows water in and, to a certain extent, roots out.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37So, that's right. You've got aquatic compost.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- Have you been using this already? - No, the foxes split it open.- Really?
0:33:41 > 0:33:44And spread it all across the whole garden.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- We have terrible trouble with them. - OK, well...
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- Which variety have we got here? - Black princess.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- Whoa-ho, nice and rich. - Beautiful colour. So stunning!
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Monty approves of Rose's choice.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58The impressively named black princess
0:33:58 > 0:34:01is one of the largest hardy water lilies,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05and as it blooms, its petals become a darker and darker shade of red
0:34:05 > 0:34:07until it's almost black.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10So, these roots are enough to get us going
0:34:10 > 0:34:12but they're not very extensive.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- Mm.- So you need to give it a good start in that.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18So, if we put some compost in the bottom...
0:34:20 > 0:34:23..like that. That's it. Firm it in a bit more.
0:34:26 > 0:34:27And a bit more.
0:34:29 > 0:34:35- Then, when that's in place... You've got some pebbles, I see.- Yes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38You've obviously done your homework. You know what you should be doing.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- I did my research.- I'm sure you did.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43The pebbles actually aren't 100% essential.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45What they do is two things.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51To a certain extent, they stop the soil floating off into the water.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53And also, if you have fish,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56they stop fish nibbling into the soil,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58looking for little things to eat,
0:34:58 > 0:35:03- and that sends clouds up and that pollutes the water.- Yeah.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07So, we just put a nice layer of stone over it, like that.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Just spread it round.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Little bit more.
0:35:14 > 0:35:20So, that is acting both as a plug, sort of a lid, on the soil.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24Having learned that water lilies must have sun to flower well,
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Rose has chosen to put hers in the sunniest spot, right at the edge.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31Palm down flat and put your palm down flat next to it.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- No, from the bottom bit. - Oh, from there.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- Oh, it just about might make it. - Absolutely fine.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38It can go deeper than that without any trouble.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Monty explains that the aim is for the leaves of the lily
0:35:42 > 0:35:45to float happily on the surface of the pond.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48We've got the momentum going on placing some plants.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49It's not an exact science.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53So, in the end, it's going to be a matter of choice
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and it's something that you two can work out for yourself.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Most of these plants will cope
0:35:59 > 0:36:02with most of the conditions you offer them, so they're fine.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05And I can't wait to come back to see them all planted,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09masses of plants, everything good, and it'll be party time.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- It will. Let's hope so.- Yes.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- It's starting to come together. - It really is, yeah.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17What was in our heads - well, YOUR head, actually -
0:36:17 > 0:36:20your head and then a printout is now looking...
0:36:20 > 0:36:24It's actually quite weird to finally see
0:36:24 > 0:36:26what was in my head happening for real.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I think Ian and Rose have turned a corner.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31They've moved beyond treating the place as a building site
0:36:31 > 0:36:33and have started some planting, which is great.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36And the important thing is that they don't see the planting
0:36:36 > 0:36:40as another job to be done, but something they can luxuriate in,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43that they can really enjoy and make personal.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45And then the garden will come alive.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52In the North of England, Steve and Jo have been busy
0:36:52 > 0:36:54and it seems Jo has finally taken on board
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Monty's advice to simplify her ideas.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01I think I wanted everything everywhere but, yeah,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04it does actually make a lot of sense
0:37:04 > 0:37:07and that's what's been really great about him saying,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10"This is too much, this is too much."
0:37:10 > 0:37:14She had hoped to create a sunken area at the back of the garden,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16next to a stream running into a pond.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20But it looks like she's realising that it all might all be too much.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24A lot of the things that I must have on my list, we're not having now,
0:37:24 > 0:37:30- but I think that brings more to it than takes it away.- Yeah.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- And it's less work. - THEY LAUGH
0:37:32 > 0:37:34THUNDERCLAP
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Even with scaled-back plans,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39there's a lot to do and it's not the greatest day for it.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43But they have help on the way and Monty's not put off by the weather..
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Jo and Steve's original plans that they showed me
0:37:47 > 0:37:49were very typical of a lot that I see,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52which is lots of nice ideas but too many.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56So, hopefully, I've persuaded them to simplify it right down.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58But it doesn't matter how good it could be.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01If they haven't done the earth moving, if they haven't got
0:38:01 > 0:38:04the foundations in place by now, there'll be trouble.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- Hello.- Ooh, hello!- Ah, Monty.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- You've clearly been busy. - Yep.- Very busy.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19The biggest hurdle, which we thought would be straightforward,
0:38:19 > 0:38:20was the sleeper wall.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- We thought that would be quite straightforward.- Oak is hard.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25- It's hard.- Oak is very hard.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29I dropped a piece on my foot and now I know how hard it is.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- So, the levels are good, you've painted everything.- Yeah.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- And then you've got the pond. - Which has moved.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- Which has moved. - It's moved, yeah.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42Monty's interested to see how much Jo's plans have changed.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- So, you wanted your private area though, too.- Yes.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46We're not going to do sunken.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50We decided that we've really moved enough soil.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- Do we need to move any more soil? - Practicality kicked in.- It did.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59- I am very happy to help as much as I can.- Fabulous.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01So, what would you like me to do with you today,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03to start with anyway?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06The tree might be a good starting place, to get the tree in.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09So, let's start with the tree. Come on, the rain's stopped.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- Let's start with the tree. - Fabulous, let's do it.- Come on.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Jo has got an apple tree
0:39:14 > 0:39:16and although it was bought on a pyramid frame,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19the couple want it to grow along the fence as an espalier.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23If you're planting any tree or trees,
0:39:23 > 0:39:27the thing to remember is you want it to go sideways and not down.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31So, make sure the ground is well dug all around it, rather than below it.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Monty explains that planting the tree high in the bed
0:39:35 > 0:39:37will prevent the roots from sitting
0:39:37 > 0:39:40in too much moisture and then rotting.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43When you're training these things, you need a stem.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- So, for example, that could easily be one.- Yeah.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50And so could that. That's a nice one there.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52The couple look on in trepidation,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55as Monty goes to work on their new tree.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So, we don't need this one here, so we can take that out.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06And we won't need that one, so I can take that out.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08We can be ruthless and just take it out.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Don't be too rough with it.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Start by bending it down
0:40:14 > 0:40:17and then gradually lower it as it wants to go.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Now all they have to do is secure the branches where they want them.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- What we do need is some structure. Got any bamboos?- Yes.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27While Steve is left in charge of the apple tree,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Jo wants Monty's help planting box hedges
0:40:30 > 0:40:33that have been stored next door for safekeeping.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37My neighbour's very kindly lent his nursery bed to us.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Ah, that's handy.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Let's take a wheelbarrow full and see how we go.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- How you doing?- Hello.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- It's a bit wonky. - JO LAUGHS
0:40:54 > 0:40:56That's not very supportive, Jo.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Let's hope their garden hero is a bit kinder.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Ta-da! Not bad, not bad.
0:41:01 > 0:41:08Um... Try and get the ends level or, if anything, slightly up.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12- What you don't want is the end growing down.- Ah, right, OK.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16And when you're tying it in, tie in front, like that,
0:41:16 > 0:41:17and that will be pruned back.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20And then tie right down to the last couple of inches.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Other than that, that's fine.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27- Where do you want this box?- Um, I'm sort of thinking in front of the...
0:41:27 > 0:41:29- Along the back? - Yeah, in a straight line.- Fine.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33Is the desire to have a hedge that's going to be clipped,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36to have a loose background? How do you want it to be?
0:41:36 > 0:41:38I'd like them to be shaped, actually.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Shaped into what sort of shapes?
0:41:40 > 0:41:44- Maybe a ball or... - So, you want a series of balls?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- Is it quite easy to maintain? - Yeah, dead easy.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50In another change to her original plans,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Jo is now going for a more streamlined look
0:41:53 > 0:41:56with her planting, complete with topiary.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Monty shows her how to space out the hedges.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02I suggest we get the two back ones exactly where you want them.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Once in position, there's nothing for it but to reach for the shears.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09When you clip, you're making it grow thicker.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11You have to remember that the highest point
0:42:11 > 0:42:13is the top of the curve.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16So, if we go here, for example, we want to cut off all the long growth.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- Just concentrate on controlling the shears...- Yeah.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- Don't think about how you're controlling the shears.- Yeah.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- And that truly is the secret of it. - OK.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30But when you're tentative and you think, "Shall I cut there or there?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33"Oh, God, I've taken... Oh, God!" It's no good.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Boom, boom, boom. You know, go for it!
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I know you've both worked very hard, so keep with it
0:42:43 > 0:42:46and it's not long before I come back to see the finished thing.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49- I know.- Immaculate. - STEVE LAUGHS
0:42:49 > 0:42:53- Um, another month or so.- Yeah. - Five weeks.- Yeah.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55It'll come round quick, I think.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57- It'll come round quicker than perhaps you want.- Yeah.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- But not quicker than I want, cos I can't wait to see it.- Brilliant.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- Good luck. Enjoy it. - Thank you.- See you.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06- Monty, thank you again for everything.- Take care.- Bye-bye.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14Well, it was a real delight to see how much work they've done.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18They've really tackled it and, I think, solved the problem.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19So, that's good.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23And we made some tentative steps at planting, despite the weather.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27And as we were doing so, I realised how important this is to Jo.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31This is her project and it really matters to her in every detail.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34And when I come back and see
0:43:34 > 0:43:38what I hope will be the finished planting, with all its layout...
0:43:39 > 0:43:41..I think it will be a portrait of Jo.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44And if she's happy, then Steve will be happy too.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48There's times when we've gone, "What are we doing?"
0:43:48 > 0:43:49There's been lots of times.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52But we've cracked on and I'm happy with where I am.
0:43:52 > 0:43:57The budget's going...quickly. And we're nowhere near done yet, so...
0:43:57 > 0:44:00It's starting to shape up and really pleased
0:44:00 > 0:44:01with how it's coming together.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03So, a few more weeks and then it'll be party time.
0:44:06 > 0:44:07Summer is almost at an end
0:44:07 > 0:44:11and time is running out for our gardening couples.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15In Tufnell Park, Rose and Ian have left some fairly big details
0:44:15 > 0:44:18till the last minute. The beds are half-empty
0:44:18 > 0:44:21and the rockery and waterfall are still unfinished.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24- How does it connect onto the pump? - We've got Jubilee Clips.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29- Oh, yeah.- Yeah. - Which is in there.- Yeah, OK.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33Luckily, Rose's mum and dad, Wendy and Laurence, are here to help.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37The water feature was always quite an unknown, I think.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41Getting the hose for the waterfall is probably the trickiest bit.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44Once it's set in stone, we can't really move it -
0:44:44 > 0:44:46literally set in stone, we can't move it.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48The important thing, apparently,
0:44:48 > 0:44:52is to get the right sound as the water goes into the pond.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54That's the essential.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59In Stockport, despite Steve's 12-hour shifts
0:44:59 > 0:45:01and Jo being away for six international trips,
0:45:01 > 0:45:04the back garden is finally taking shape.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09And even though Monty advised them to stick to one area at a time,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11they want to surprise him
0:45:11 > 0:45:15by trying to finish work on the side garden as well.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Not quite happy that it's not flush.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Cos it's acrylic, it's got a bit of a bend in it and a bow,
0:45:20 > 0:45:24so it's like a comedy mirror. So, you either look skinny or fat.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27- I want it just to look normal. - A circus mirror.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31We've been trying to do this job and, in my head,
0:45:31 > 0:45:35it's going to be all very straight and perfect,
0:45:35 > 0:45:39- but there isn't a straight edge in this garden, is there?- No.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43To help with the final push, Jo's step-dad, Ian, and mum, Linda,
0:45:43 > 0:45:45are getting on with the finishing touches.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Done great really. We've put the graft in.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50We didn't expect to get this area finished and we have,
0:45:50 > 0:45:53so that's a complete bonus.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57Now everyone just wants to get the final details right.
0:45:57 > 0:46:01I was a bit nervous at first - well, really nervous, to be honest.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05I don't want Monty walking in and pointing out any flaws.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12In north London, Ian and Rose are ready
0:46:12 > 0:46:14to show off their dream wildlife garden.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16They've finally caught their breath
0:46:16 > 0:46:20but the work to date has been punishing.
0:46:20 > 0:46:21DEFCON One is here.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25We're ready and now we can actually take the foot off the gas and...
0:46:25 > 0:46:27- We're going to sleep for a week. - Yeah.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Let's hope they can stay awake long enough
0:46:30 > 0:46:34to show off the fruits of their labour to their gardening guru.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38This was a big project.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41The garden is big, the designs were ambitious
0:46:41 > 0:46:44and I know that, once they started work,
0:46:44 > 0:46:47they were surprised, if not shocked,
0:46:47 > 0:46:49by the amount of clearing they had to do,
0:46:49 > 0:46:53just to get to the point where they could begin to lay out the garden.
0:46:53 > 0:46:55So, how far they've gone
0:46:55 > 0:46:58in completing their original intentions, I don't know.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02It doesn't matter. But what does matter, and what I do want to see,
0:47:02 > 0:47:06is enough of a garden so they can relax and enjoy it.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12- OK, let's see. - Welcome to the garden.
0:47:12 > 0:47:13- Here it is.- The moment of truth.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16I'm taking it in, I'm taking it in.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19Just four months ago,
0:47:19 > 0:47:22this garden was full of broken concrete and bricks,
0:47:22 > 0:47:26with neglected flower beds and a crumbling back wall.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32Now it is as elegant a garden as you could find in all of London.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36Rose's design has retained the meandering path,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39which leads you on a journey from lawn to patio,
0:47:39 > 0:47:41across the wildlife pond.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46The slate rockery and waterfall provide a central feature.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50And they have not forgotten the wildlife.
0:47:50 > 0:47:51Next to the pond,
0:47:51 > 0:47:55the wood pile creates shelter for frogs and insects
0:47:55 > 0:47:59and bird feeders and homes for bees are set up, ready for visitors.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02Under the trees, their shade-loving plants,
0:48:02 > 0:48:06many of which were propagated by Rose's mum,
0:48:06 > 0:48:09are just beginning to fill out the beds.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12It's great! Do you know what strikes me, looking at it?
0:48:12 > 0:48:14It's amazingly close to the design you first showed me.
0:48:14 > 0:48:15- It is, actually.- It is.
0:48:15 > 0:48:19The circles are there, the rhythm, the path through it.
0:48:19 > 0:48:21I know it's been modified and changed
0:48:21 > 0:48:23- but the spirit seems to me exactly there.- Yeah.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25- That must be gratifying.- Yeah.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27Because you've invested into the garden.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29You invested your sweat, probably, your blood
0:48:29 > 0:48:32- and certainly, probably, some tears...- Yeah.- ..into the work.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34Injuries, everything else, yeah.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38- Have you had chance to sit and enjoy it?- Not yet.- No.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- What about the budget? What about the money side of things?- Yeah.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44- We spent a lot of money.- About that...- What are we talking about?
0:48:44 > 0:48:47We've ended up at about £7,000.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49- Yeah.- TOGETHER: But...
0:48:51 > 0:48:54- It's a long-term investment.- Can I have a look? I want to see the pond.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Let's go and walk through the path which is so much better
0:48:57 > 0:49:00for not being too sinuous - or at least not serpentine.
0:49:00 > 0:49:05Obviously, the pond is the centrepiece of attracting wildlife.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08- Yes. - Tell me what you've seen already.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12- We've got a frog living somewhere in the woodpile.- Right.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15- The birds love to come and bathe in here.- Yeah.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18Yeah, I saw a jay one morning having a bath. That made my day.
0:49:18 > 0:49:23Do you feel now that the building phase is over?
0:49:23 > 0:49:24The hard grafting is done.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28We can actually enjoy the fruits of our labour, as it were, you know.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31That's hugely rewarding, it really is.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34- Now we're going to sleep for a week. - Let's celebrate before you sleep.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37- You've got guests coming. - We have.- We have, yes.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39- Well, I'll come and help you get ready.- All right, great.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50We've got a little bee hotel up there as well,
0:49:50 > 0:49:52for the solitary bees.
0:49:52 > 0:49:57Coming back today and seeing the grass in and the planting areas
0:49:57 > 0:50:00and the pond and the waterfall, it's just astonishing.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03I can't believe they've done it. I'm a bit jealous, if I'm honest.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08Our thanks to all, Monty, friends and family.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11- To the garden.- ALL:- Cheers.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13To round off the visit,
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Rose has something special to share with Monty.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20So, I made a little board of pictures of our progress
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- along the way.- Let's have a look. - This was the day that you came.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27You can see all the braches that you cut down from that tree.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30That's classic me. I'll come in, cut down the branches,
0:50:30 > 0:50:32- and "Must be going." - Yeah.- And then leave the mess.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35- Leave the mess.- Yeah.- Ta-ra.
0:50:36 > 0:50:41This was Rose's vision and it's just stunning. It's really stunning.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45Ian and Rose have really grafted to reach this point
0:50:45 > 0:50:48and I think it surprised and even shocked them.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52But they stuck with it and they've made what they intended to do
0:50:52 > 0:50:55and it's fantastic so far.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57- I think we have created what we wanted, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59- It's so peaceful in here. - It's very peaceful.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02- It's so nice to have people back there today.- Yeah.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05You get a feel for how it's going to be when we're entertaining.
0:51:05 > 0:51:11They can now sit back and rightfully celebrate not the completion,
0:51:11 > 0:51:16but the start of an exciting new development in their life.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23In Stockport, after a heroic effort to get everything finished,
0:51:23 > 0:51:27Jo and Steve can't wait to show Monty what they've been up to.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31I think he'll be pleased. We took a lot of his ideas, actually.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33I've reined it in, which is quite a big thing for me.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35- Surprised me.- Yeah.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39There's been days where I've got out there
0:51:39 > 0:51:42and just been exhausted and wanted to cry.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46And you lot have been amazing with me bossing you around,
0:51:46 > 0:51:48cos somebody's got to be project manager.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52Well, you like to think you're bossing us about but...
0:51:53 > 0:51:55I feel really emotional about it actually.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59Been long journey.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07Oh, come on.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11Jo and Steve have worked really hard to get to this point
0:52:11 > 0:52:15and they both lead very busy, complicated lives.
0:52:15 > 0:52:21And the end product, above all, has got to fulfil their dreams.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28- Welcome to our garden.- Look at that!
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Just ten weeks ago, Jo and Steve's garden
0:52:31 > 0:52:36was little more than a mound of soil, left by recent building work.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41It is now a two-tiered peaceful haven.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48The large patio feels sheltered and secluded.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53Water flows from the upper level into the fish pond,
0:52:53 > 0:52:57creating a simple feature to be enjoyed from the comfy seating.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04A straight path draws your eye to the back of the garden
0:53:04 > 0:53:06and evergreen plants and the new bamboo screen
0:53:06 > 0:53:08block out the world beyond.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Jo and Steve have stuck to a planting palette
0:53:12 > 0:53:15of just green and white, which gives the whole garden
0:53:15 > 0:53:17a sophisticated and calm feel.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24I'm really struggling to remember what it was like, actually,
0:53:24 > 0:53:28because it's extraordinary. Are you happy now with the end result?
0:53:28 > 0:53:30- Over the moon, absolutely over the moon.- Extremely.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32The picture that you were painting to me,
0:53:32 > 0:53:35- it was very different to what we've got.- Yeah.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38How has that evolved and is it for the better?
0:53:38 > 0:53:41Have you had to make difficult choices or has it fallen into place?
0:53:41 > 0:53:42It's sort of fallen.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46- I think the biggest bit of advice you gave was keep it simple.- Yeah.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50So, when I told people about my ideas, I said,
0:53:50 > 0:53:54- "I want Asian, I want cottage, I want modern..."- I remember!
0:53:54 > 0:53:59So, I felt like it was a bit of a round the world in ten minutes.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02I like the way at the back you've got the body that you spoke about.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04- Yeah.- That's really good.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07- This feels, to me, like a very calm place.- Yeah.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- Is it working like that for you? - Definitely.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14And I wanted lots of seating areas and I know you say yourself,
0:54:14 > 0:54:16you don't get to sit in your garden much,
0:54:16 > 0:54:20and it's like, wow, it's great. Love it, absolutely love it.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24And the pergola, when it's clothed with the wisteria, will be great.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28Yeah. We've done a lot, obviously, costwise, so we've tried to be...
0:54:28 > 0:54:31Well, costwise is something we're going to talk about.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33How's the budget looking?
0:54:33 > 0:54:35£8,600.
0:54:35 > 0:54:40Clearly you've spent wisely and people usually underestimate
0:54:40 > 0:54:41what they need to spend on plants.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45- Yeah.- Or how many they need often. - Yeah.
0:54:45 > 0:54:49- But that's not all.- We've got something else to show you.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52- A nice surprise, hopefully.- OK. Let's have a look.- Let's go.
0:55:00 > 0:55:04- You couldn't resist it, could you? - No.- Just look what you've done.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09As a complete surprise for Monty,
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Jo and Steve have also transformed the side garden,
0:55:12 > 0:55:14keeping a simple path for access.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17The ground is now covered in delicate pebbles
0:55:17 > 0:55:21and planted with acers, calla lilies and toad lilies,
0:55:21 > 0:55:24giving it the exotic Asian style they were after.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28The painted arbour and bench add colour,
0:55:28 > 0:55:31while mirrors are set into the trellis,
0:55:31 > 0:55:34adding light and a modern finish.
0:55:35 > 0:55:40That is extraordinary. Well done. So, you've got your Japanese garden.
0:55:40 > 0:55:45- Well, we're going Asian. - Asian, sorry. OK, Asian.
0:55:45 > 0:55:46Again, this has evolved a bit, hasn't it?
0:55:46 > 0:55:48To be honest, I'd stopped thinking about it.
0:55:48 > 0:55:51- Do these plants come within your budget?- Yes.
0:55:51 > 0:55:57That really does make the budget more impressive really.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00- And the arbour, everything's included.- Everything.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03Cos you've got two quite distinct gardens.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06As I wanted water in every garden, I wanted stream, I wanted pond,
0:56:06 > 0:56:11I wanted... But actually, when you sit, you can still see the water.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14And you can hear it. It feels very relaxing.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- So, you do get sun here, don't you? - Yeah.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22I thought you were going to be pushed flat out to finish the rest.
0:56:22 > 0:56:28- It looks lovely. It looks clean, it looks fresh, it looks loved.- Ah.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31- So, you've made a beautiful job of it.- Thank you.- Both of you.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34- You should be very proud.- We are.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38How are you? Come on in.
0:56:38 > 0:56:43- Hey!- What do you think? Can I have a kiss? Ah!
0:56:43 > 0:56:45- All right?- Hey, Georgie boy.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49They've done a fabulous job.
0:56:49 > 0:56:53I really didn't think it would be up to this stage so soon.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55They've worked really, really hard.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57Go and sit on there. Off you go.
0:56:58 > 0:57:04To a magical new garden and for a magical new life.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07So, well done, both of you. I'm really impressed.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10- To the garden.- ALL: To the garden. - Cheers.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12Whoo!
0:57:13 > 0:57:18Seeing it all come together, I feel really emotionally proud, you know.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20They've just done so well.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22- I'm going to slip away. - Thank you so much.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26- Thank you. And well done.- Thank you. - Really pleased.- Thank you.- Enjoy it.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28- Thank you. - That's the crucial thing.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31It's been a real pleasure to see it grow and one day,
0:57:31 > 0:57:34- maybe I'll come back. - Yeah, you're very welcome any time.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36All right, enjoy the rest of the day.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38- Take care.- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye. - Thank you, bye.
0:57:39 > 0:57:43- Shall we have a drink now? - Large one.- Yeah, come on.
0:57:47 > 0:57:52It's always really enjoyable to see something come together.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55And my one hope is, after all this work
0:57:55 > 0:57:59and all this effort and all this skill, too, in making the garden,
0:57:59 > 0:58:02is that it brings them what they originally wanted
0:58:02 > 0:58:05from the garden, which is peace
0:58:05 > 0:58:10and a sanctuary from all the stresses and strains of the world.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12And I wish them every success.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17That's it. We're done. I'm not sure what to do now.
0:58:17 > 0:58:22The gas tank's empty now. It's time to relax and enjoy it with family.
0:58:22 > 0:58:26- It's great.- Course it is. - I love it.- It's our time now.