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 > 0:00:19Monty Don has travelled up and down the country
0:00:19 > 0:00:22visiting amateur gardeners with bold ambitions.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25He's scrutinised their plans
0:00:25 > 0:00:28and pushed them out of their comfort zones.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Going out into deeper, darkest unknown territory!
0:00:32 > 0:00:33It's not been easy...
0:00:36 > 0:00:37I hate it.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Argh!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42..but 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 > 0:00:49..and 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 > 0:01:00I do believe that everybody, however small the garden, can cultivate
0:01:00 > 0:01:02a big dream.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- Here they come.- Here they come.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11This is like an identification parade, isn't it?
0:01:11 > 0:01:15This time, Monty is helping two sets of ambitious gardeners,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18each facing challenges on a very different scale.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20That's it!
0:01:20 > 0:01:25One may be a tiny urban courtyard, but the dream is off the scale.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29My big dream for this place is for it to become a tropical garden.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31The other is a larger space
0:01:31 > 0:01:35but has to fulfil the dreams of a whole community.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37It's a blank canvas at the moment, really.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39I'd like it to provide inspiration to the children.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Both are tackling complicated projects,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and are desperate for Monty's advice.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49If you don't want it there, move it.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52God, that was so much bigger than I thought it was.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54This is just a bundle of fibrous roots.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Doesn't look like anything.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00With absolutely no gardening experience whatsoever between them,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02can they possibly manage it?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I've got this big dream,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06but we just don't know how to get it into reality.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09We've got the time, we've got some money,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12but we don't have the... We don't have the knowledge.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Our first garden is a private urban retreat in Hackney
0:02:20 > 0:02:23in north-east London.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27A year ago, Carla and Stewart moved into this 1990s bungalow,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29with a tiny patch of garden tucked behind it
0:02:29 > 0:02:32measuring only 20 square metres.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36This is the back garden, and at the moment it's just very bare.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41It's surrounded by walls and there's a shed,
0:02:41 > 0:02:42big tree and a dead tree
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and peeling paint.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47I think it's amazing that we even have any garden space at all.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52But Carla has a very particular dream for the tiny back courtyard,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56inspired by her childhood in the Philippines.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58With little idea where to start,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01the couple are thrilled and relieved to hear that Monty will give them
0:03:01 > 0:03:04a hand in creating their tropical paradise.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08We need him to guide us on how we can make the most out of it.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10It's such a small space,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12that I think the planting would be very important.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And there's a couple of plants that we put in since we moved in,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16but it hasn't really kind of moved on very much from that.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Monty's skills might be needed on another front, too.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22We've got, like, a banana plant, haven't we? So we've had countless
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- arguments about where the best place to put that is.- Yeah.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28We really need an adjudicator for that one.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30I'd like to be proved right, but I'll probably be proved wrong!
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Our second garden belongs to a whole community.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42This large space is used as a play area by St Mary's Primary School
0:03:42 > 0:03:46in the village of Hawkshaw, near Bury in Lancashire.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It's also shared with the whole village.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54And the members of the PTA - the Parents and Teachers Association -
0:03:54 > 0:03:58feel they can be doing so much more with this 300 square metres of land.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01At the moment, it's just grass, it's just patio.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06And we want it to be exciting, we want it to draw people in, don't we?
0:04:06 > 0:04:07It's never been maintained,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and it's something the school has just neglected, really.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12But it's something that the PTA have taken on.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Helen and Jenny are both parents with children at the school
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and Claire is the school secretary.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19We've got this lovely space
0:04:19 > 0:04:22that we can make use of for the whole school.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25We want it to be like a journey, where people can go around the path
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- and it just feels like they've experienced something.- Yeah.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The bottom area, we want to really bring to life, don't we?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Yeah, sensory area.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Nature area, the stumpery, the bug hotel.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41The three mothers have big dreams
0:04:41 > 0:04:43and the backing of the whole community.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46But it's Monty's help they need more than anything.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48We're a bit overwhelmed.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Without him, we wouldn't be able to finish this to the standard we want.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52No.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00It's the merry month of May.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04With the sap rising and everything bursting into fresh leaf,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08it's a great time to make a start on a new garden project.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Monty is on his way to Hackney to meet Carla and Stewart,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and see what he can do to help them with their project.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Can't imagine what he's going to say about our garden.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I don't think he's going to tear the design to pieces,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- but I'm kind of bracing myself just in case.- Yeah!
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Hi, Monty. - Hello, hello.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- Welcome.- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you, too.- Hello.- Hello.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37The couple can't wait to show him the courtyard.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42So this is the space.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- Mm-hm. - Well, it's interesting!
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It's nice. What do you want from this garden when it's finished?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52We'd like it to look like a tropical garden.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- Why tropical?- I'm from the Philippines.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Yeah.- So I had a really great childhood there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Having banana trees and coconut trees.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01We might be pushed to get coconuts.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- Yeah!- Yeah. So you want a piece of the Philippines?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Yes.- Do you share that vision or is this entirely yours?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It came from Carla but I'm definitely fully on board.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13We went to the Philippines last year and had an amazing time.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Carla and Stewart look pleased to have laid out their dream before
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Britain's favourite gardener. But will he approve?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23Often when people say something like that, the next half-hour
0:06:23 > 0:06:26is a process of gently sort of disillusioning them of
0:06:26 > 0:06:28all their dreams and hopes and fantasies.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Because we're in the UK, it's cold and it's wet and it's miserable.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34However, here in the middle of London,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36with these nice high walls all around,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40I think there's a real chance of doing something genuinely exotic
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- and lush. - Well, that's good news.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Now for some practical tips.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Do you want to repaint those walls, or strip them back to brick?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50We kind of like the faded look.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- Right.- With the paint kind of flicking off as it is...
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Yeah.- ..we don't think it's that great for the garden.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Well, I would be inclined to maximise the light...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- OK.- ..because the walls are great shelter,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03but they are going to block the light to a certain extent,
0:07:03 > 0:07:04which brings us to the next point,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07is what sort of budget you're talking about.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08£2,000, haven't we?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- Yeah.- Which is quite generous for what is a relatively small space.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Yeah.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16With their dream outlined and the budget approved,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20it's time to look at their ideas in more detail.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21This is very professional.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Did you do this?- No, Carla did. - I did it.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29The couple's plan is to cover the old concrete paving with a pebbled
0:07:29 > 0:07:32texture. The space will be dominated by a barbecue,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36dining and fire pit right in the middle.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Adding to their existing plans,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41they want to place dramatic exotics such as bananas
0:07:41 > 0:07:45and canna round the edges of the paving,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49and site a large bamboo near the old tree in the corner.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54Black stone pebble paving, presumably this patch here.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- Yeah.- Why?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I think being able to sort of go out
0:07:57 > 0:08:00there barefoot when it's nice and hot. It's part of my nostalgia.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I just think the way it is now,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- you would never dream of going out there barefoot.- I agree.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Having approved of the pebbled surface,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Monty now suggests a better use for it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13There is no actual path of any kind.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15You can, if you want,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19take your guests on a route, even in a very small garden.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Cool.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25But he's also noticed a potential mistake that needs addressing.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30You've got a very scruffy existing tree that is about as un-Philippine
0:08:30 > 0:08:32as it can be.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34This is prime real estate, OK?
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- OK.- So we want prime Filipino plants.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43I think what you have to do is clear out everything, including that tree.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- Really?- I would take it down.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Chainsaw time. It's not going to fit in your story.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52By removing the tree,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Monty explains they can put their tender tropical plants there
0:08:56 > 0:09:00and make better use of the sunny side of the courtyard.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Your south-west corner,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05which is going to be sunny from mid-afternoon to the evening,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08is going to have your best plants,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11or at least your plants that like heat the most.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15And he finds the ideal spot for their banana palm.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19The banana will fare best in the hottest spot.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Monty reckons the couple should scrap everything
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and paint the walls white.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28A new path through their luscious planting would create a jungly
0:09:28 > 0:09:32sense of mystery. And their more tender exotic plants like the banana
0:09:32 > 0:09:36should be sited in the sunniest corner to help them survive
0:09:36 > 0:09:38the British winter.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45With the plan in good shape, Monty goes back to the courtyard
0:09:45 > 0:09:48because he's spotted some plants, like this passion flower,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50which need attention right now.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53If you do want to salvage some plants, just a few little tips.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55If we take this passion flower,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59it's planted much too close to the wall. When you plant wall plants,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02keep them at least a foot away from the wall.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06So, back where my foot is now, there. And angle them in.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09And the reason for that is, rain never falls dead vertical.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12It falls at an angle, hits the wall, and the wall soaks it up.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15So they get dry. Now, I'll dig that up.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Monty sets to work to save the passion flower...
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Dig round.- ..and shows the couple how to pot up plants
0:10:23 > 0:10:27until they're ready to be put in the newly created tropical garden.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Now, you can see - it's a nice example, actually -
0:10:29 > 0:10:32look how the roots have grown since it's been planted.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- When did you plant this? - About six weeks ago.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36So it is growing well. I put my hand in this.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I'm assuming this is compost.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Yes. - A bit in the bottom.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46And just gently pop it in like that.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48And, actually, there's no need to even add any more.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Give it a good soak, let that soak in and then give it some more.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54And do that once a week.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58And put it somewhere out of direct sunlight, and out of the wind.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02And with the plants in their temporary pots,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Monty leaves Carla and Stewart with a final word of advice.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09I think that's as far as I can go on this. What you now have to do
0:11:09 > 0:11:11is just clear away all plants
0:11:11 > 0:11:14unless you actively want them in that position.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18All surfaces, whether it be brick, gravel, paving.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21If you don't want it there, move it.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24And, hopefully, this will be transformed.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27And then we'll do more transforming together. Good.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29I think what we've got at the moment has a lot of potential.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Definitely.- You realise there is a surprising amount of space there.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36What they need to do now is to possess the space.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Not worry about details, but keep the big picture clear in their mind
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and then plan a route towards achieving that.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Having Monty here today has really spurred us on to kind of get
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- cracking and rip everything up... - Yeah.- ..as he was recommending.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52Yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57And then we can work towards creating that Philippine paradise
0:11:57 > 0:11:59that they want.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11It's June. Monty is making his way to Hawkshaw,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14to meet the gardening dream team at St Mary's School.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19We're really, really excited about it because he's going to give us
0:12:19 > 0:12:22that expertise and guidance that we just haven't got.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- The children are very excited, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27You say to the children, "Monty Don's coming."
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Showed them a picture of him and said, "Do you know him?"
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Yeah, they all recognised him.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Monty wants to see what he can do
0:12:33 > 0:12:36to help the PTA group transform their boring site.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Hello.- Hello! Nice to meet you.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- Hello, I'm Monty. - Lovely to meet you.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- Hello.- Hi. Come on in. - Come in.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- Ah, is this the plot? - It is.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Most of this large space is grassed over,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but with little else in the way of plants.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55There's a functional but plain patio at the top of the slope
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and a stage-like decked area
0:12:57 > 0:13:01at the bottom with some existing fixed seating.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05At the moment, it's mainly used by St Mary's youngest schoolchildren,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09as parent and PTA member Helen explains to Monty.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13We've got from age 4 to 11 here in the school. So at the moment,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16it's mainly utilised by a reception and year one children.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19The rest of the children aren't really getting any benefit
0:13:19 > 0:13:21from the space. So we kind of wanted
0:13:21 > 0:13:24to bring that in by growing vegetables and different plants,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28eventually run a gardening club and involve the children.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- Which is great.- Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34So, a play area for small children and a garden that can be gardened by
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- the older children.- Yeah. That's it. - OK.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38But that's not all.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42The garden will have to serve a third purpose, too.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45All this has to be kept for community use.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Does that mean that the local community's got to have access
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- to the garden?- Yes.- Not in school time, but at weekends and evenings.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- Yeah.- And how do you think they will use it?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56We're hoping once we've got things, like,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58we're growing our own vegetables and things like that,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01after school, pick your children up and then come and get some salad out
0:14:01 > 0:14:03the garden and take it home.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04With three groups to please,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08there's the vital question of how to pay for it all.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09What sort of budget have you got?
0:14:09 > 0:14:14We've put aside £3,000 of the PTA fund
0:14:14 > 0:14:19to get things going with the hope that we'll get a bit more.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21OK. Let's see some plans.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- Come on. Lead on.- Let's go. - Let's have a look at it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28Monty's beginning to realise that this is a big community-sized dream.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30But can everyone get what they want?
0:14:31 > 0:14:35The mothers are keen to make the space fun for the youngest children,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and a place for the older ones to learn,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41so they plan to add five raised beds for veg growing,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43and create both a nature area
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and a herb garden right in the middle of the space.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49To one side of the old decking area,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52they want to create a feature known as a stumpery,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55a kind of rockery but made with tree stumps.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Now what have we got here? Stumpery!
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Yes.- Yes.- I haven't seen a stumpery made for a while.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02What makes you want to do a stumpery?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04We just thought it was something different
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- that would be nice for the children. - It's a great idea.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08First get your stumps.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- Yes.- We've got some stumps. We've got a selection of logs and stumps.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- We're very lucky.- We're not quite clear on whether they're right,
0:15:16 > 0:15:18what we've bought, but we have.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20But Monty thinks their plans
0:15:20 > 0:15:23for other wildlife areas are rather vague.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Tell me what you envisaged by nature area. What do you mean by it?
0:15:27 > 0:15:31We wanted anything that would attract as much wildlife as possible,
0:15:31 > 0:15:32just for the children to learn from.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35So you're planting specifically for bees and insects?
0:15:35 > 0:15:41- Yes, yes.- OK. And you're encouraging birds and frogs.- Yeah.- OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43So Monty cautiously suggests an idea
0:15:43 > 0:15:46that would definitely encourage wildlife.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50If you really want a nature area, what about a pond?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53We did discuss it, but we were worried about the safety aspect
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- with having children playing. - Well, it is a worry.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57How old are the youngest children, four?
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- Four.- And they would always be supervised?- Oh, yeah.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03The real danger for a pond is to toddlers.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06So, how shallow can we get away with in terms of a pond?
0:16:06 > 0:16:08You need a very shallow area.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I mean, so that the beach starts out the water.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- Yeah.- And it's literally just a little bit of water.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Clearly, you can't take any risks,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20but I think what would be good would be to set the challenges -
0:16:20 > 0:16:23can we make a wildlife friendly pond
0:16:23 > 0:16:27that is also safe for children of four and over?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Overall, Monty recommends they create bigger,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32more densely planted nature areas,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and build fewer but larger raised veg beds.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39But most importantly, he suggests they move their herb garden
0:16:39 > 0:16:42from prime position in the middle of the garden
0:16:42 > 0:16:45to make way for a more exciting feature -
0:16:45 > 0:16:47a child-safe wildlife pond.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50- So, happy with that?- Yes. - Yeah, really happy.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Keen not to let go of the country's top gardener just yet,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59the mothers have called in some helpers
0:16:59 > 0:17:01so they can get going right away.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Monty sets them to work clearing out unwanted features,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07while he turns his attention to the stumpery.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12A stumpery is supposed to be like a rockery, but made with large,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14gnarled tree stumps.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Plants can be added in the crevices between the stumps,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and it will soon become a haven for wildlife.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24But have his keen amateurs really got the right basic materials?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27This is just a bundle of fibrous roots.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30That doesn't look like anything.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- I can't see anything here that I would include in a stumpery.- OK.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40Oh, dear. That's a blow for the keen community gardeners.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Luckily, Monty has a new plan.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We could just build a wall up.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48As you say, like a wooden rockery...
0:17:48 > 0:17:49- Yeah.- ..and plant in the pockets.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53You literally just stack them up like you have and...
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Like a bug hotel. So, animals get in and you can have mice and dormice.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00And then they decompose, and that's really good for fungi,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02it's really good for beetles.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We could take stuff in and start to work out what it would look like.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Do you want to do that?- Yeah.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10It may end up more of a loggery than a stumpery.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14But who cares? As long as the insects make their new homes here.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Yeah.- I would say the next thing to do is get some logs in.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22See what planting spaces there are, then start planting.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Monty gets his enthusiastic team to start bringing the biggest logs,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30to create the right sort of wall.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35If you're going to plant,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38this is a perfect sort of naturally formed space.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Yeah.- The whole point of this is a bit of inspiration.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- Yeah.- A guide. You get a feeling for what you're after.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Once the loggery stumpery has taken shape, Monty shows them how to make
0:18:50 > 0:18:54planting pockets using topsoil and compost.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59And it's ready to act as host to any passing bugs.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06It's been a long day, but everyone is left positive and focused.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07It's a very particular project.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10You've got to have educational space,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13you've got to have a playground and a beautiful garden.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's got to fulfil a number of quite conflicting demands.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19We've got more of a definite vision now of where we're heading to.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Definitely.- Whereas before it was a bit vague. And now we're quite set
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- on what we're heading for.- Yeah. - And how to do it, as well.- Yeah.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27I have no worries on that account,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30because if anyone can do it, I think they can.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33INDISTINCT CHAT
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Summer has well and truly arrived.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Carla and Stewart need to learn about the type of plants they could
0:19:45 > 0:19:49include in their tropical garden, so Monty has sent them to visit
0:19:49 > 0:19:52a gardener who's trodden the very same path.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Hi, Nick.
0:19:54 > 0:19:5720 years ago, Nick, who works in software sales,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00moved into this traditional semi in Leeds.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Like Carla and Stewart,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06he dreamt of turning his back garden into an exotic paradise.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08The result is impressive.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Welcome to the jungle garden.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Wow. Amazing.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I want to do a jungle garden at our house.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24I mean, it's not as big as this.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- Where did you start?- When we moved in, all of this was lawn, all the
0:20:28 > 0:20:32way to the back, and I decided I wanted to do jungle gardening.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Nick has created zigzagging paths,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40boardwalks and bridges to lead visitors on a jungle journey -
0:20:40 > 0:20:44just as Monty suggested for Carla and Stewart's space.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Oh, my goodness - water!
0:20:46 > 0:20:51It's a design technique that creates the illusion of a much larger space
0:20:51 > 0:20:54and gives exciting possibilities for positioning,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and then viewing the best plants.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Where are we going? This is quite an adventure.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04The garden is packed with well-chosen, big star plants.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Plants that look exotic, but which are surprisingly hardy.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14What do you think are the ones that are really useful to have,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17to have the colour and the leaves during winter?
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Two really good, fit-and-forget plants.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22The hardiest palm you can get,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Trachycarpus fortunei, windmill palm.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- OK.- Next to it is a plant you might see in many people's gardens,
0:21:29 > 0:21:30which is this strappy one here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Yeah.- Cordyline.- Oh.- Right.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36They'll take frost down to about minus 18.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Right, OK. That's good to know. Does a fern tree keep its leaf over...?
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Yes, the tree fern does keep it.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44If it's a mild winter, you should be OK with that in London.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- Yeah.- The tree ferns will keep their leaves, fronds, in winter, yeah.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50Yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53With 20 years' experience of creating the tropical look
0:21:53 > 0:21:55in a British garden,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Nick has two plants he thinks are absolute essentials.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03And he has another clever planting trick.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Most people right now are going for summer bedding.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- Yeah.- Petunias, Marigolds, lobelia and that kind of thing.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11For the jungle garden,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13we use things like from the house plant department.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16You see the one with the red flower spathe on the right-hand side?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Yeah.- That's anthurium.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Better known as a house plant.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- Yes.- And then next to that is impatiens New Guinea hybrids,
0:22:24 > 0:22:25the red one.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29They just go to add a sort of a tropical zing every now and again.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Completely.- Yeah.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34Nick explains that he's positioned
0:22:34 > 0:22:38his most dramatic specimens in prime spots.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Gunnera manicata. It's a real star of the jungle garden.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Yeah! It's huge. - You can walk underneath it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Yeah.- You get huge leaves.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52This is like the epitome of jungle gardening for me, this plant.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Monty said it would be an inspirational day,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58but I hadn't expected how inspirational.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Seeing Nick and experiencing his big dream,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05we've realised just the depth that can be involved,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- and how much more we can do.- And how much more ambitious we could be.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Like, kind of not being too scared of massive plants.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Their exotic journey is over
0:23:16 > 0:23:19but Carla and Stewart leave with a souvenir -
0:23:19 > 0:23:21a baby Gunnera for their own garden.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- Oh, thank you so much, Nick.- OK. - Amazing. Enjoy your Gunnera.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32Spurred on by their visit, Carla and Stewart get straight down to work.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Fully kitted out for the job in hand,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37they decide it's time to clear their space.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40And that means tackling that spiky tree in the corner.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We're literally killing it today.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44So I'm not...
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- Or it kills us. - Yeah, or it can kill us!
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- You OK?- Yep.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Oh!- God, that was so much bigger than I thought it was.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Yeah, that's huge. - Like Monty said before,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07if we have a small space then we need to make the most of that space.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09So you should get rid of anything
0:24:09 > 0:24:12that is kind of constraining you in that sense.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14So I don't feel too bad.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Monty's advice has encouraged them to be bold,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21and Carla and Stewart will soon be ready for the next step.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29The gardening mums from St Mary's need inspiration for their new
0:24:29 > 0:24:32community garden come playground.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35So Monty's sent them here, to Sizergh Castle,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39a historic house in the Lake District.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Sizergh's beautiful and wildlife-rich gardens
0:24:42 > 0:24:47include a pond, a stumpery and a superb kitchen garden.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52A source of fresh ideas for the mums, and fun for the children.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Wow. It's like our pond.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Look at that! Hey, guys, look at this pond.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01KIDS CHAT EXCITEDLY
0:25:01 > 0:25:04There's a bird walking on the lily pads!
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- Oh, yeah!- Oh, that is so cute.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12Monty suggested a pond would attract wildlife and be lots of fun,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15as they're about find out.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Hi, guys.- Hi. - Hi, Sam!- Hello.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- Do you guys want to have a go at pond dipping?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Warden Sam is an expert at pond dipping, and it's his job to help
0:25:26 > 0:25:30the children learn and have fun around Sizergh's pond.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37I got a daddy one and a baby.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- You did, didn't you? - I got something!
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Careful with your stick.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44He's just a little one.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45- Did you catch that little one?- Yeah.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I catched that big one.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Oh, yes, I got a pond skater!
0:25:50 > 0:25:52I have no idea what it is.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- What what is?- That.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57That's a pond skater, but it's a bit...
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- I think you might have squashed him a little bit.- I got a pond skater!
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- He might be all right. - I think it's gone down well.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I think it's gone down really, really well, yeah.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07The pond dipping is clearly a success,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and Sam has plenty of tips for the novice gardeners.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Is there anything we can do to encourage that kind of wildlife into
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- our pond?- The best way that things are going to get into your pond
0:26:16 > 0:26:19is probably going to be from birds coming in and having maybe eggs
0:26:19 > 0:26:23stuck on their legs, or pooing in the pond, sort of thing.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25So if you can make the rest of your garden like a wildlife haven,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29an incentive for them to come in, everything will happen.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39Sizergh also boasts a magnificent stumpery, and warden Susan
0:26:39 > 0:26:41is keen to show it off.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44This is sort of our take on a stumpery.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- OK.- But you can equally, you know, do your own version.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50We have four national collections of hardy fern here.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53So we wanted somewhere to show them off.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55So although it's not a play area,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58we would encourage children to come in and see all the different shapes
0:26:58 > 0:27:00and so on, and wildlife that it attracts.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04So I think just the whole concept of our garden is that we want our children to be
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- able to access every part of it, don't we?- Yeah.- So it's not ideal,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09but they are going to climb all over everything.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12We're going to have to just bear that in mind, I think.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Susan gives them some tips about plants that would survive children
0:27:15 > 0:27:17climbing all over them.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20What you could do there is choose some of the more sort of tough
0:27:20 > 0:27:22and sort of hardy ferns.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25We've got one further up which looks very prehistoric, actually,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27and it's quite tough.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29So if you choose the right plants,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33they should sort of withstand a bit of rough and tumble, let's say.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I think this has given us the inspiration to go back and look at
0:27:36 > 0:27:38our stump, well, loggery again and...
0:27:38 > 0:27:41It's our version. Like, you know how you got your version?
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Well, brilliant. I mean, that's - for me - what it's all about,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45is giving people inspiration, really.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48This is also a perfect garden to get
0:27:48 > 0:27:51ideas from, for their wildlife planting.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Can I just ask you what this is?
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Cautleya robusta. It's ginger lily.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59- Right.- And it would be great, actually, for your plot,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01because it spreads quite readily.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04So it can fill in sort of spaces quite easily.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Great for butterflies, bees and hoverflies.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Oh, it would be perfect for the nature area, then, wouldn't it?
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Yeah, it would.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12And the advice comes with a bit extra.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15I'm sure I could pot some up for you.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16- Oh, yeah, thank you.- Be fabulous.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20All in all, a great day. But who got the most out of it?
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- What do you guys think of pond dipping, then?- It's really good.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26- Really good?- Yeah.- Yeah? - Yeah.- Go on, then, Sam.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28- What do you reckon? - It's spectacular.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Spectacular? Flipping heck.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I think this has made our big dream bigger,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- in a way.- Yeah.- Because we can see more now what's actually achievable,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39what we could get to in the end.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Our other dreamers in Hackney
0:28:46 > 0:28:50are determined to get their tropical garden under way.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Although their courtyard is a mere four by five metres,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Monty suggested they can still create a jungly sense of mystery
0:28:57 > 0:28:59by making a winding path.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04But first, he said they needed to clear the space, so they've chucked
0:29:04 > 0:29:07out everything that doesn't fit their tropical theme.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10They've even painted over the peeling old brickwork,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12just as Monty recommended.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Next on their list is to invest in some exotic plants.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26It's three weeks since Monty first visited St Mary's community garden,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29and he'll soon be back to inspect progress.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32The gardening team is anxious to see what he thinks.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I think we have come a long way, but I feel we have and we haven't.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I don't want him to come and think, "What have you been doing?"
0:29:38 > 0:29:40They've cracked on in several areas,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43including splashing out on a substantial path.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47And encouraged by their experiences at Sizergh,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50they've even made a start on the wildlife pond.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53We've moved the herb garden over, haven't we?
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- Because the central focus now is the pond...- Yeah.- ..rather than
0:29:55 > 0:29:57the herb garden, which is better,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- because a herb garden is not really a central focus, is it?- No.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04It's a bit more exciting for the children to have a pond, isn't it?
0:30:04 > 0:30:08But what everyone wants to know is what will Monty say to all of this?
0:30:08 > 0:30:13Any community project can, if it's not careful,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17become a horse designed by a committee.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20In other words, a camel. And it doesn't quite please anybody,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23because it's trying to please everybody.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25And I wonder to what extent
0:30:25 > 0:30:29this key group of strong women
0:30:29 > 0:30:32are keeping the reins and steering it?
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- Morning!- Hi!- Good morning. How are you? Nice to see you.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40One kiss this time, for speed.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42OK, nice to see you. So, what are we doing?
0:30:42 > 0:30:45They have a surprise in store for Monty,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48and Britain's top gardener is about to be tested.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Why am I standing here like a lemon?
0:30:50 > 0:30:52THEY LAUGH
0:30:52 > 0:30:53Explain to me.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Because we asked all the children today to bring a plant in
0:30:56 > 0:30:59for the community garden. It could be absolutely anything.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02So we have no idea what's coming up.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Here they come.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Best foot forward, everybody, it's plants on parade.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Look at what we've got there.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- You've got a chilli.- Sweet pepper. - Sweet pepper, I'm sorry.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18- I make mistakes all the time! Rhubarb!- Wow!
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Inviting plant donations will help to stretch the budget but,
0:31:22 > 0:31:24perhaps more importantly,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27the team is hoping it will encourage the older children to feel more part
0:31:27 > 0:31:29of the garden project.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32You've got a heather. Good.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34This is like an identification parade, isn't it?
0:31:34 > 0:31:37THEY LAUGH There we go.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39More mint. Keep on coming, that's lovely.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Oregano.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43That's fantastic.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46They will be fine here. In fact, they could stay here for days
0:31:46 > 0:31:49as long as someone watered them occasionally. Shall we get on?
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Because I think it's going to rain. THEY LAUGH
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's time to get Monty's reaction to the pond.
0:31:56 > 0:32:02There is one problem which I noticed, which is, it's on a slope.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Yes.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06And water finds a level.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- Always. - We kind of forgot about that.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13So that, if the water filled up to the highest point here,
0:32:13 > 0:32:15my guess is that it would hit to about there.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- Oh, yeah.- So, why don't I dig a bit, and someone else bring soil in
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- and we'll do it like that? - Can we use turf?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Yes, we can use turf.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29Turf would be good. But rather than chuck it, I would place it.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34And with everyone mucking in to help, the problem is soon put right.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39What you need to do is, if we need to fill up, we need to start here...
0:32:39 > 0:32:41- Right.- ..and backfill in,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45because you're going to have a liner over the top of this,
0:32:45 > 0:32:50so if we turn it upside down like that, and like that,
0:32:50 > 0:32:55and we build it up, you start to build up a kind of bank.
0:32:59 > 0:33:00That is dead level.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Yay!- So that's the height.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Put that bit on that side...
0:33:04 > 0:33:08Monty wants to create a planting shelf within the pond along one side
0:33:08 > 0:33:12before stretching a liner over the whole thing.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Are we keeping the plants in the pots, not burying them in the soil?
0:33:15 > 0:33:16No, you keep them in the pots.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Ah, I didn't know that.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21You can bury them in the soil, but the soil's usually too rich.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Right, OK.- And also, where's the soil going to be?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25It's underneath the liner, isn't it?
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- I thought we'd cut a hole in the liner.- No...
0:33:28 > 0:33:31You cut a hole in the liner... LAUGHTER
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- ..where does the water go? - Yeah, through the hole!
0:33:33 > 0:33:36What a relief to have an expert on board.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Thank goodness we didn't attempt this on our own!
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Now they need to spread a thin layer of sand to protect the rubberised
0:33:43 > 0:33:46liner from being punctured.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50A liner to a pond, if you imagine you've put on skin-tight rubber...
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Every wrinkle and fold will be revealed!
0:33:54 > 0:33:55Steady, Monty!
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Once it has been seen it cannot be unseen!
0:33:58 > 0:34:00LAUGHTER
0:34:00 > 0:34:03The better we make the preparatory surface,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06the better and the easier it is to put the liner on.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09So, if we put the sand in and then spread it...
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Just spread it evenly out. It only needs to be about an inch thick.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16- That's good. - And just when it's needed,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19reinforcements arrive to lend a hand.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23Don't scrape it over the ground. Lift it up if you can.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25OK?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Well done.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Monty shows them the next step -
0:34:29 > 0:34:34weighing down the liner with stones once it's in just the right place.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Then it's ready to be filled.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42While that's happening, Monty's sent the children on an errand.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Monty?
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- We've been down to the river. - Right.- Got buckets of water.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Oh, well done. I think of this as a soup.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53And what you do is, if you add it to that water,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57it then becomes full of life - not life you can see -
0:34:57 > 0:34:59and then gradually that will feed into other life,
0:34:59 > 0:35:01and then we put plants in, that will get richer.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05So, who's going to have the honour of pouring it in? If I just go...
0:35:05 > 0:35:08- Who's that?- Evie.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10I call this pond Lake Evie.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Go on.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14I name this pond...
0:35:14 > 0:35:16There you go, go on, pour it in.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Well done. That's it.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- It's so heavy.- OK, I'll give you a hand. Go on. Off you go. You do it.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25It's Lake Evie!
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Well done.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30Now that's got life in it.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33And with the rain adding to the other ingredients,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36everyone stands back and admires the day's work.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39There's a lot to take off the to-do list.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Look at it. You've got a path,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45a pond full of water, no less, and full of water that's pretty level,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48which is a miracle, given where we started from!
0:35:48 > 0:35:50And you've got fabulous plants.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53So that's great. So when I come back I expect it all to come together.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55He was really positive about everything.
0:35:55 > 0:35:56It's all gone really well.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00And the pond... We clearly couldn't have done the pond without him being
0:36:00 > 0:36:01here today.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03All right, I'm going to wash my hands, get my gear,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- then I'm on the road. Bye-bye.- Thank you.- Bye-bye.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10He's got the same enthusiasm as us, so he kind of like...
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- It's infectious, isn't it? - Absolutely, yeah.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17Well, we've managed to get quite a lot done today and if they get as
0:36:17 > 0:36:20much pleasure - parents, children and local community alike -
0:36:20 > 0:36:25from the finished product as they seem to be getting from making it,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28then it's going to spread a lot of happiness around.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39It's high summer and the city is bathed in gorgeous sunshine
0:36:39 > 0:36:41and luscious greenery.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Since his last trip to Hackney more than a month ago,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Carla and Stewart invested in a stack of plants,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51but which should go where?
0:36:51 > 0:36:55Cue a much-needed visit from their mentor.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It was clear to me when I left here last time
0:36:57 > 0:37:00that to get the tropical feel that Carla wants,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03they've got to wipe the slate clean. Get rid of the tree. Get rid of
0:37:03 > 0:37:07every trace of English garden and start anew with a completely
0:37:07 > 0:37:09different palette of plants.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12The plant pound is at the front of the bungalow.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Oh, you have been shopping. - Yes.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18How much did that cost?
0:37:18 > 0:37:20£347.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23£347?
0:37:23 > 0:37:28- Yes.- I think that's quite good value.- We thought so.- Yeah.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Monty approves of their choices,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33but he does spot a problem.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36One immediate thing that would give me cause for alarm is,
0:37:36 > 0:37:40some of these plants I certainly wouldn't dream of growing outside
0:37:40 > 0:37:45- in winter.- Oh, really?- Do you have any winter protection lined up?
0:37:45 > 0:37:48Yeah, I guess a lot of fleecing will happen.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- Yeah, particularly with the banana. - Hay and straw.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Fine. That's absolutely fine.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Good. Right, let's go and put that money to good use.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58So, in no particular order...
0:37:58 > 0:38:01To make every penny work as hard as possible,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Monty shares his golden rule -
0:38:03 > 0:38:07choose where to place the biggest star plants first before filling in
0:38:07 > 0:38:10with the smaller ones.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13So they're starting with their absolute key plant,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15that long-suffering banana.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20The couple have been arguing about where to place it for nearly a year.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Can one of you come and help?
0:38:22 > 0:38:24What we have to do is hold this down
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and then I'll try and pull it out.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- There you go. It's coming. - Excellent.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35There we go. There we go.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38OK, let's move the pot.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40And you can see...
0:38:40 > 0:38:45every square inch of the pot has been used up for roots.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50- Yeah.- And this poor thing is wanting to spread its wings.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Right, where do you want it?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Probably just where it was.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Really? Right there?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58When planting anything large,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Monty's rule of thumb is to dig the hole wide,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03so it can spread its hungry roots.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08And where, like here, the soil is poor, add plenty of nutrition.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13Do you have any manure or compost?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15We've got some compost, yeah.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19With half a bag of compost added and forked in, Monty does the honours.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22That's about the height we want it in.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Let these roots out a bit.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28If you hold that upright, going to put a little bit more compost
0:39:28 > 0:39:31around it and then we'll push the soil back in.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39- So, essentially, we are using the hole like a container.- OK.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42As Monty points out, these big plants are going to need looking
0:39:42 > 0:39:44after like pot plants for ever,
0:39:44 > 0:39:48with additional feeding and watering when needed.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51What you want to do is get water down to those roots down the bottom.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52Really give it a drink.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Next, Monty suggests planting this luscious canna,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01which will soon produce large orangey-yellow flowers.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Perfect for that hot, tropical look.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Like bananas, they like moisture,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10they like heat and they like food.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13OK, it's good that they sit next to each other, then.
0:40:13 > 0:40:14Yeah. But, again,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17the more nutrition you give them, the better they'll perform.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Carla and Stewart are learning that every aspect of their garden
0:40:21 > 0:40:24will need a lot of care if they're to realise their dream.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28I think without Monty we might have rushed ahead with planting stuff
0:40:28 > 0:40:31and I think I can be a bit sort of gung ho with these sorts of things.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Monty coming in and showing us how to plant and sort of looking at our
0:40:35 > 0:40:39soil and sort of, yeah, coming to the conclusion that it's not very
0:40:39 > 0:40:43good but giving us advice on how we can improve it
0:40:43 > 0:40:44was really, really useful.
0:40:44 > 0:40:51For Carla and Stewart to create the rich, lush, exotic effect they want,
0:40:51 > 0:40:55they do need a rich soil. And they don't have that at the moment.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58That's going to have to come with time
0:40:58 > 0:41:01and lots of mulching, year after year.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15It's the end of August.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18The harvest is underway, and the community of Hawkshaw
0:41:18 > 0:41:21is making use of a spell of good weather to get the project finished
0:41:21 > 0:41:26before Monty's final visit. The pressure is on.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- All the big things are done, aren't they?- Yes.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30We're on to the lots of fiddly small things.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Yeah. A lot of finishing touches to do, really.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Yeah. We're going to put the fence round the pond.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Hopefully, we will have time to do it.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Hopefully!
0:41:41 > 0:41:45This is going to be a busy week, isn't it? But we'll get there.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Better get cracking, then. Top of the list is to make good use
0:41:50 > 0:41:52of the ginger lily donated by Sizergh,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55something the mums thought would encourage nectar-hungry insects
0:41:55 > 0:41:57into the garden.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00If we try and split it into a few pieces and we spread it around
0:42:00 > 0:42:03the garden, then, then we've not just got one.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06I'm just a bit frightened about splitting it, because the roots
0:42:06 > 0:42:10are all joined together and I obviously don't want to lose it
0:42:10 > 0:42:12cos we do really, really like it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16It takes guts to chop into the roots like this,
0:42:16 > 0:42:20and Helen's growing confidence as a gardener is clear to see.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- There we go.- It's like slicing a cake.- It is.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26And Jenny's convictions about what to do with their stumpery
0:42:26 > 0:42:29speaks volumes about her budding gardening skills.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34It would be nice to recreate in our own way what we saw at Sizergh,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36in their stumpery, you know, like,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39adding our own things into it that aren't necessarily
0:42:39 > 0:42:41traditional stumpery plants.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Yeah, I felt quite happy after we'd been to Sizergh
0:42:45 > 0:42:48because, at the end of the day,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51we've sort of made our own version of a stumpery.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Their self-assurance about their ideas has come a long way.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06Things in Hackney have been moving on as well since Monty last
0:43:06 > 0:43:10lent a hand. But Carla and Stewart's tiny garden still needs
0:43:10 > 0:43:12to make a big leap forward.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16Luckily, sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Since Monty's been here,
0:43:18 > 0:43:22we have done a bit of planting and then we thought we'd better get some
0:43:22 > 0:43:26paving done, so we had some friends over who were amazing.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28They came over with an angle grinder
0:43:28 > 0:43:32and they just cut them out into some nice curves for us.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35They came to help us, but they ended up doing most of it themselves.
0:43:35 > 0:43:39Now they'll be able to lay the underfoot pebble texture
0:43:39 > 0:43:41that evokes Carla's childhood in the Philippines.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45We've never done anything like this before, so...
0:43:45 > 0:43:48We've been told that we can lay them outside but this is more of
0:43:48 > 0:43:51an experiment, so hopefully it'll work.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55And before long, Monty's back to see how they're getting on.
0:43:58 > 0:44:03I know that Carla and Stewart have wanted to create a lush,
0:44:03 > 0:44:05tropical feel in their garden.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08With the plants they've chosen, I'm sure that will happen.
0:44:08 > 0:44:14But the difference between making a good idea sort of work and creating
0:44:14 > 0:44:17a great garden is attention to detail.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It can be lush and exuberant
0:44:19 > 0:44:24but every leaf and every part of the garden must be finessed,
0:44:24 > 0:44:27particularly in one as small as theirs.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32Carla and Stewart have spread out to the front of the bungalow,
0:44:32 > 0:44:35where they've been experimenting with one such detail.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Are orchids something that you have a special interest in?
0:44:38 > 0:44:41Yeah, my mum had an orchid garden when I was little.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44Just stop there, that's really grand.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46"My mum had an orchid garden."
0:44:46 > 0:44:49That's not something you hear every day in the streets of Hackney.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51- No.- Your mother had hanging orchids?
0:44:51 > 0:44:53- Yeah.- What were they hanging from?
0:44:53 > 0:44:55They were hanging from dried coconuts.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59- You won't to be able to get dried coconuts?- Well, actually, we do.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02We tried drying our own coconuts.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06But they ended up coming out a bit wrong.
0:45:06 > 0:45:09Carla's idea is to turn these coconut shells into hanging pots
0:45:09 > 0:45:11for her orchids.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13This is one I made earlier.
0:45:13 > 0:45:18This is like a farcical Blue Peter programme.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21Here you have a lovely orchid. How will you fix them to it?
0:45:21 > 0:45:23- I don't know.- OK.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25All right, work in progress.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28And how are you hanging them so they don't fall sideways?
0:45:28 > 0:45:30It's completely fine for them to fall sideways.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33OK, good. No, listen, I'll bow to your superior knowledge on this.
0:45:33 > 0:45:38because I've never had even one hanging orchid garden in my life.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40When I think about your garden,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43detail needs to be really precise.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46And this is a really good example
0:45:46 > 0:45:49of the kind of detail I was thinking about, cos that's what you will see.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Yeah.
0:45:52 > 0:45:57Carla also wants Monty's approval of another key element of her Filipino
0:45:57 > 0:45:59dream garden.
0:46:01 > 0:46:02Now, I don't know what this is.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06It looks to me, it could be a bridge, it could be a path,
0:46:06 > 0:46:10- it could be a building.- Yeah, a bit of both but not the last.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12- A bridge and a path. - A bridge and a path.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15- Tell me how you're using it and what you've got to do.- We want to lay
0:46:15 > 0:46:18this out in the garden and form a kind of pathway through the plants.
0:46:18 > 0:46:20So that's going behind the banana?
0:46:20 > 0:46:23Exactly, it's kind of weaving behind the banana.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25And then next to this path we're going to have some vertical
0:46:25 > 0:46:27structures embedded in the ground
0:46:27 > 0:46:30- and that's what we're thinking of hanging some plants off.- Yeah.
0:46:32 > 0:46:35Leaving them to finish their jungle hideaway,
0:46:35 > 0:46:39Monty will be back in just a couple more weeks to see the final result.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48In Hawkshaw, it's the last day of the school holidays and time for the
0:46:48 > 0:46:52garden project to be completed before the start of the new term.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Monty's on his way to see whether the St Mary's team have pulled off
0:46:56 > 0:46:57their ambitious dream.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00But the weather forecast is atrocious.
0:47:00 > 0:47:06This project is unlike any kind of private garden because it has to
0:47:06 > 0:47:08deal and please so many people
0:47:08 > 0:47:13and different kinds of people from the very youngest child at school
0:47:13 > 0:47:18to local people who may have lived here for 80 years or more.
0:47:18 > 0:47:24But no garden could have had more enthusiasm and more goodwill
0:47:24 > 0:47:28poured into it, so let's hope that all that amounts to something
0:47:28 > 0:47:33that is going to please everybody.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36Last time Monty was here was the last day of term
0:47:36 > 0:47:40and there's a lot happened since then.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43It would be so nice if he approves
0:47:43 > 0:47:45of what we've done so far, wouldn't it?
0:47:45 > 0:47:48I think he will. I think he'll be amazed.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50I'm getting excited.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53It's only six weeks since Monty first visited.
0:47:53 > 0:47:58Then, it was a large but underused space with boring features,
0:47:58 > 0:48:01almost devoid of educational or fun value.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10The PTA team have worked a miracle.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12They've transformed it into a colourful,
0:48:12 > 0:48:15fun-packed area that has something for everyone.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23There you are. It's come alive.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26- Yes. - It is looking fantastic.
0:48:26 > 0:48:31The new path guides visitors on a special journey of discovery,
0:48:31 > 0:48:37from the vegetables in the raised beds to the wildlife in the pond,
0:48:37 > 0:48:41from the bug hotels crawling with guests to their unique take
0:48:41 > 0:48:43on a Victorian stumpery.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46Helen, Jenny and Clare have been
0:48:46 > 0:48:50the ringleaders in putting real life into this one-time blank canvas.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54But they've shared the fun with the whole community.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02- You must have worked very hard. - We really have.- We have, yeah.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05- And what do the children think of it?- They love it, yeah.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08There's something in every little bit that you see little clumps
0:49:08 > 0:49:10of children going, "What's this?" And it's really great.
0:49:10 > 0:49:14Well, there's lots here. I love the signs.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16"Pond rules - one at a time.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19"Don't lean on the rail. Don't squash the frogs."
0:49:19 > 0:49:21And the mosaic, where did that come from?
0:49:21 > 0:49:25That was just buried on the wall here and not really appreciated.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Right. Let's go back. In the corner was going to be a stumpery.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32- And your stumps were a little bit stumpy, weren't they?- Yeah...
0:49:32 > 0:49:35- So that's become a... - Rockery.- It's really nice.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37I really like that.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40The veg are looking great, cos they started very late.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Yeah, and we didn't really have much hope for them,
0:49:43 > 0:49:45but we really think they've done well.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47The children are dead excited that it's grown, aren't they?
0:49:47 > 0:49:50They're really excited when they come down and see that it's grown.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53So do people come from the houses round and take stuff?
0:49:53 > 0:49:57Yeah. And parents after school can come down and get something, yeah.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00But the piece de resistance is the wildlife pond,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03something the team would never have dared tackle
0:50:03 > 0:50:05without Monty's encouragement.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08So the children come running over the bridge,
0:50:08 > 0:50:10which is good fun.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12- Do they like it?- They love it.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16- They think it's... They look for frogs.- Yeah.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18We were hesitant about the idea of a pond because we thought,
0:50:18 > 0:50:21you know, water and children, it might be difficult,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23but we are really glad we've done it now.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27I think it's added the wow factor to our garden.
0:50:27 > 0:50:28How much have you actually spent?
0:50:28 > 0:50:32To get it to this point, I think about 4,000.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35And, ultimately, it's money well spent. We're happy with it.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38You may not be able to measure it in pounds, shillings and pence
0:50:38 > 0:50:40but you can certainly measure it in the sum of human happiness.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42Yeah, absolutely, yeah.
0:50:42 > 0:50:47And what British garden would be complete without one final detail -
0:50:47 > 0:50:49the predicted downpour.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52But not even that has kept the community away.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54The children are so excited about it.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58There's so much learning will go on, with the different plants
0:50:58 > 0:51:01we'll be growing, with the pond, which has already got frogs in it,
0:51:01 > 0:51:03which is just lovely.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06It's great that our children and our friends' children are going to grow
0:51:06 > 0:51:10up and have this all to look forward to.
0:51:10 > 0:51:15From a piece of grass to what we've got now is a credit to everybody
0:51:15 > 0:51:17that's done it.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20It's a wonderful thing and it's been a privilege to watch it
0:51:20 > 0:51:24being made and it's an even greater privilege to declare it open.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28So, I declare this garden open!
0:51:28 > 0:51:33CHEERING
0:51:33 > 0:51:36Fantastic! Very good.
0:51:36 > 0:51:37I applaud you.
0:51:38 > 0:51:43A small group of very dedicated, passionate,
0:51:43 > 0:51:48enthusiastic women have combined to create not just the garden,
0:51:48 > 0:51:52but a complicated one that's fulfilling lots of roles
0:51:52 > 0:51:55and pleasing lots of people.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58When we started, this was our big dream.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00It sparked something within us
0:52:00 > 0:52:03that we didn't think we would be able to do.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05But now we've got even bigger dreams.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08Yeah. We've surpassed what we wanted to do.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11This is a garden that will survive
0:52:11 > 0:52:16any amount of weather or whatever life can throw at it,
0:52:16 > 0:52:20because it's made with real passion,
0:52:20 > 0:52:21and it shines.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28In Hackney, it's the big day.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32How far will Monty think Carla and Stewart have come since their first
0:52:32 > 0:52:36tentative steps as novice gardeners?
0:52:36 > 0:52:40When I first came here and Carla and Stewart explained their dream of
0:52:40 > 0:52:42having a tropical, exotic garden,
0:52:42 > 0:52:46that would remind them of the Philippines, I thought that's
0:52:46 > 0:52:49really interesting but not particularly unusual.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52What fascinates me, and what I want to see now,
0:52:52 > 0:52:56is how they've taken that idea and then personalised it,
0:52:56 > 0:53:00how they've used detail, sometimes quite small detail,
0:53:00 > 0:53:03to make this exotic garden their own.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08When people have asked us what Monty's role is in this project,
0:53:08 > 0:53:11my main answer is that he is our mentor.
0:53:11 > 0:53:15And, as with any mentor, when you actually finish something,
0:53:15 > 0:53:18you really want their approval.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21And he has... What he's seen so far he has liked,
0:53:21 > 0:53:25so a small part of my mind thinks he's going to turn up and hate it,
0:53:25 > 0:53:26but I think that's unlikely,
0:53:26 > 0:53:30- so, yeah, I'm sure it's going to be fine.- Yeah.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Less than four months ago,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37Carla and Stewart's tiny back courtyard was a scruffy little box
0:53:37 > 0:53:39with flaking brick walls
0:53:39 > 0:53:43and a large, unloved spiky tree in one corner.
0:53:47 > 0:53:53Now it's been completely transformed into a private, tropical retreat.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56Well, look at it. It's great!
0:53:58 > 0:54:02They've cleanly divided the space into two areas with a bold,
0:54:02 > 0:54:07curving cobbled path creating the sensuous underfoot texture
0:54:07 > 0:54:08Carla craved.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14They've planted a dazzling array of tropical plants including bananas,
0:54:14 > 0:54:20a windmill palm, a Gunnera given to them by Nick, and canna lilies.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22Their home-made bamboo pathways
0:54:22 > 0:54:26and seating evoke a simple Filipino style.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30The hanging frames support the colourful orchids that remind Carla
0:54:30 > 0:54:32of her childhood.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Now it's time for a full review.
0:54:43 > 0:54:49It feels quirky and slightly odd, which I like. Are you happy with it?
0:54:49 > 0:54:50- Very happy.- Very happy, yeah.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52I think it's better than what we envisaged.
0:54:52 > 0:54:57What were the key details that you felt made it come alive?
0:54:57 > 0:55:00I think definitely some of the plants,
0:55:00 > 0:55:02like the crested wattle
0:55:02 > 0:55:06really reminds me of the tamarind and maybe the bamboo structures
0:55:06 > 0:55:08and the actual architectural features.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11Your bamboo path, I see has got in.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13- Yes.- And that's worked.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15- Good.- And does it work as a path?
0:55:15 > 0:55:19- Yes.- Yeah, the plants have grown quite a lot into the path,
0:55:19 > 0:55:21so we need to maybe do some trimming.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23And at the last moment,
0:55:23 > 0:55:27Carla has added one special detail that brings back those important
0:55:27 > 0:55:28childhood memories.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30The bag is actually quite personal,
0:55:30 > 0:55:33I think, cos that's something that's really Filipino,
0:55:33 > 0:55:34- having those bags.- Really?- Yeah.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38- And that was a last-minute thing yesterday.- Right, good.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41- And these pebbles as well. That was a big part, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:55:43 > 0:55:44So tell me about the budget.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47- How's that gone? - Well, we initially said £2,000.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51We haven't gone too badly. I think we've spent about 2,200.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54That's reasonable, I think.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57- Yeah.- Given that you didn't know what you were doing!- Exactly!
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Actually, it's not unreasonable
0:55:59 > 0:56:03to transform part of your household into a completely new living space,
0:56:03 > 0:56:08- is it?- Completely. - And that's what it's become.- Yes.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12Now they have Monty's seal of approval,
0:56:12 > 0:56:16it's time for family and friends to see what the couple have been up to.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19And amongst them, a familiar face.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21They've done an amazing job.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24It is just full of tropical,
0:56:24 > 0:56:28zingy plants, mad jungly leaves.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31It's brilliant.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33When I came out of their patio door,
0:56:33 > 0:56:38it's not what you expect to see in a small courtyard in Hackney.
0:56:38 > 0:56:42Even Stewart's mum has only seen the garden for the first time.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44So proud of both of them.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46Stewart has never touched a garden in his life,
0:56:46 > 0:56:51so to be able to bring this to fruition is just incredible.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54All that's needed now is for Monty
0:56:54 > 0:56:58to give this tropical courtyard dream an appropriate send-off.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02Right, I think it's time we made this garden official, don't you?
0:57:02 > 0:57:08We shall drink to a future of constant tropical lushness
0:57:08 > 0:57:11and endless pruning! So, cheers.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13- ALL:- Cheers!
0:57:14 > 0:57:17- What do you want to call this garden?- The Jungalow.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19The Jungalow, right.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23I christen this garden the Jungalow.
0:57:25 > 0:57:26Oh, yes, look!
0:57:26 > 0:57:29CHEERING
0:57:29 > 0:57:31We're watering it!
0:57:33 > 0:57:37One of the things that I've enjoyed about this is how uncomplicated
0:57:37 > 0:57:43it's been. Carla and Stewart had an idea of what they wanted and,
0:57:43 > 0:57:47with minimal fuss, they've just set about making it happen,
0:57:47 > 0:57:50even though they've had to learn a lot along the way,
0:57:50 > 0:57:56and I suspect they're going to enjoy it with the same lack of fuss.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59They've got a new hobby, quite a serious hobby, which is gardening.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03And I know that is something that's lifelong,
0:58:03 > 0:58:06so that's kind of a great thing.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09I think I feel a bit sad because it's the end of the process, well,
0:58:09 > 0:58:13this part of the process, that we both really enjoyed kind of the
0:58:13 > 0:58:16different steps and learning different things about the plants,
0:58:16 > 0:58:18but I guess that's not going to come to an end.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21- No.- We should try not to be too sad.