0:00:02 > 0:00:06Fabulous flowers, luscious lawns, verdant veggie plots and back yards.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09What does your garden say about you?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11If it's crying out for an overhaul or you simply need help
0:00:11 > 0:00:14to get started, then we're here to inspire you.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- We're happy. - Is that a good shot for you?
0:00:18 > 0:00:24I'm Chris Beardshaw, passionate horticulturist, landscape architect and mad keen cyclist.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I propagated my first seeds when I was four
0:00:26 > 0:00:28and haven't looked back since.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30SNEEZES
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Excuse me.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36And I'm Colin Donaldson, builder, landscape gardener,
0:00:36 > 0:00:37and mad keen biker.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42For me, it's always been about the property and the landscape working together
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and if there's heavy machinery involved, all the better.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Are you trying to get a tune out of that?
0:00:48 > 0:00:53We're on a mission to help six families transform their gardens.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54So, let's Get Up and Grow.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Wendy Carson and daughter Sophie live in Ballycarry
0:01:23 > 0:01:25within sight of the sea.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Before we came on the scene, Wendy and Sophie were quite happy
0:01:28 > 0:01:31with what they thought were low-maintenance lawns.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34It sounds as though you think we messed it up.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38I think the grass is high maintenance and less pleasurable than a border.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43And first time round we did give her a beautiful, boisterous, bountiful border.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Wendy with dirty hands. How does that feel?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- I even broke a nail. - You've connected with the garden.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56One of the things I think that's given Wendy great confidence
0:01:56 > 0:02:01is the fact that the very first piece of planting that we did together,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03the front garden, is looking so good.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I've really enjoyed the garden immensely.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It's low maintenance, isn't it?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14You two are so dead!
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The front garden, it has been an inspiration to me.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22The garden has come to life and has a life of its own and it's lovely seeing it developing.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25It's very infectious, I'll say I have got half an hour
0:02:25 > 0:02:27and I'll go and weed, then it goes into an hour-and-a-half.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Well, all that weeding's going to be good prep
0:02:30 > 0:02:34for the rest of the low maintenance garden!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39The front is meticulously kept and she complains about the weeding,
0:02:39 > 0:02:40but she's doing it.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44It hasn't only motivated me to get up into the garden, it's been a lifestyle change.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46You're saying all the right things!
0:02:46 > 0:02:47Stealing all my lines!
0:02:47 > 0:02:51I get the sense that what we should be doing is looking at the back of the house
0:02:51 > 0:02:55and creating spaces there which have the same sense of excitement
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and inspiration and meaning as this one is having at the front.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Get your work stilettos on.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03For someone who's doing an hour of weeding a night,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06these nails are looking very good.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08What do you wear? Boxing gloves?
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Are you sure you want to do this, Chris?
0:03:11 > 0:03:15It's just a messy mass of tarmac at the moment. It's a really big job.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Trust me, I've had a vision. Let's see what Wendy thinks.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19The back garden's an interesting space
0:03:19 > 0:03:22because it's completely invaded by the car.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25The driveway at the moment comes around and then you go
0:03:25 > 0:03:28straight into the double garage. It becomes a very confused space
0:03:28 > 0:03:31because this should be a very intimate space
0:03:31 > 0:03:35and yet it's just tarmac, just coming straight through.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37You need to keep in mind the practicalities.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40He won't be happy until he's pulled your house to pieces.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43So give me the bullet points then.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48What do we have to achieve in this space? What are you looking for?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51A surface that a car can drive over into the garage.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54A seating area over there that can be private.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58You need to be able to stand here and strip off.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But you've kind of got all the neighbours looking at you.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05It's just not private enough.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10A sort of backdrop that sort of complements the barbecue hut
0:04:10 > 0:04:12and the trees also as well.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Ah, yes, the Scandinavian elephant in the room!
0:04:15 > 0:04:20It was very expensive and took a long time to put up, but certainly we've enjoyed it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The barbecue hut at Wendy's was always going to be a design issue.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It's a great big building,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28it's been painted a vibrant colour and it just stands out.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30It screams in the middle of the garden.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Do we get a couple of steaks if we can do something?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Yes, you'll get a couple of steaks if you do something
0:04:35 > 0:04:37and I'll let you off the weeding part.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Listen, if you can turn that area of tarmac
0:04:39 > 0:04:44into something that doesn't look like a motorway hard shoulder, I'll cook you a steak.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48First thing to do is your speciality, clearing the site.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Let's bring on some horsepower.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56Mind the barbecue hut, Mr Donaldson. I think you're upsetting Wendy!
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Tell you what, we'll get on with some real work
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and you distract Wendy and take her to Garden Show Ireland.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Shows like this are a great source of inspiration,
0:05:10 > 0:05:15'and this garden has something we could use back at Wendy's.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17'I've just got to sell the ideas to her.'
0:05:17 > 0:05:20When you just take a few steps into a garden like this, you know,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24you suddenly realise that you can create a completely different atmosphere,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and it demonstrates perfectly that we don't have to fill a garden
0:05:27 > 0:05:29full of big, vibrant blooms -
0:05:29 > 0:05:33sometimes that's relevant, but here the whole atmosphere and character is created
0:05:33 > 0:05:36just using the different-sized leaves.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I think foliage, yes. I always said about flowers to bring in colour,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42but certainly the foliage in this garden works.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47But I think this is something that we can really go to town on around your barbecue hut,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49the principle of just having greenery,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51a cool, calm and relaxed space.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Meanwhile back at Wendy's, nothing cool and calm going on here.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04'Hmm. Careful planning and contemplation required.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07'Marker boards and spray marker will do it.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:16That's the retaining wall.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17HE SNEEZES COMICALLY
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Excuse me! - Is that broad appreciation?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I was trying to hold it back.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26I'll have to re-mark the line, you've sort of sneezed it out of the way.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28If the white wall is there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'Is this garden design equivalent of back of a fag packet?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34'I like to call it precision planning.'
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So the terrace is there like that,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40and the boardwalk then comes off at the angle.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45Wendy's looking a bit worried.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Perhaps she thinks there's nothing going on,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53even though we have dug a few big holes and moved a lot of earth.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Chris, can you work your magic?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Can you see what we're up to?
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I've absolutely no idea, but I'm worried.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03The look of fear's in my face.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06You see, I was hoping you were going to come out with some insightful instruction
0:07:06 > 0:07:10as to what was going on, cos what we've done is cleared the space.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- No, you've wrecked the place! - SHE LAUGHS
0:07:13 > 0:07:17There's an element of demolition in order to get to this stage, admittedly,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21but it's a bit cathartic. This is the horticultural equivalent, I suppose,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23of emptying your wardrobe in spring and saying,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26"Right, I'm going to throw all that away and now I've got some space."
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- OK.- That's the theory, anyway.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36I think I've let two mad men loose in my garden,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and you wonder where the bomb has landed in it.
0:07:38 > 0:07:44The idea is that when you come down the steps from the conservatory,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47you come on to a piece of boardwalk.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51On this side is planting,
0:07:51 > 0:07:52and when you get to here,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55the boardwalk ends and you can enter the lawn.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57This is Sophie's lawn.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Because you might have noticed that in the course of having a coffee,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04the fence fell over, so we decided to move it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:10We hardly touched it. We decided to move it to about here.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12You wanted lawn, so we've given you a lawn.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15So if you come back in this direction,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18you're coming across Sophie's lawn, past the bench,
0:08:18 > 0:08:19back on to the decking.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24This is all high planting to help nestle the barbecue hut.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- You come through here and then there is the hole.- Yes, the hole, Chris.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Well, it's...
0:08:35 > 0:08:36That's a big hole, Chris.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Come on, silver tongue, how are you getting us out of this?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42We're going to line it with polythene,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45ad then put the soil back in and create a bog garden in here,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48so you get those verdant and lush plants,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50and if you walk up here,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54this area here then becomes a kind of woodlandy garden.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58That's what's going to help to wrap the barbecue hut up and make it feel enclosed.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01And then a two-foot high wall coming in and back and across,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06and where I'm standing here, we're going to fill with soil and these become raised planting beds,
0:09:06 > 0:09:11and when you come out here, you're then into an area of paving.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13This section here is essentially your terrace.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The essential areas, boardwalk, Sophie's lawn,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19coming through into the woodland garden,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22the terrace, and enclosed by the raised beds.
0:09:22 > 0:09:23I'm in absolute shock.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Imagine the work you put in out the front.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Look at the amount of planting beds that we're proposing here
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and times the effort you put in the front by about four,
0:09:32 > 0:09:36because once you're committed to it there's no going back.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41I realise it'll be hard work, but we'll be creating memories
0:09:41 > 0:09:42that I'll have for a lifetime,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46and I think, you know, let's go and let's do it.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Good sell, Chris. Now we just have to get it done.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Hurry up!
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- Do you even know what you're doing? - Yes, spreading it.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I just want to know I'm going to the spa for three days
0:10:02 > 0:10:04and when I come back it's all done.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Did he promise you that too?
0:10:06 > 0:10:12Wendy's been very bubbly and very agreeable all along and slightly jovially sceptical about our work,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14but she really has got stuck in,
0:10:14 > 0:10:19and in all fairness, she did turn up today with boots on and no nails.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Chris has explained his ideas and I can't wait to see it all finished.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30- All right your side?- Yes.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD
0:10:43 > 0:10:46A few weeks later, the front garden is looking even better,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48and round the back has moved on, too.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53It's all coming together to look like it was planned this way.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56You have to link the spaces together.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00You have to make those buildings, the barbecue hut, pergolas, sheds, whatever,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03you have to make them look as though they sit within the landscape.
0:11:03 > 0:11:09But there's a logical path down from the conservatory round into this collection space,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13and because this area is being used as a bit of a dumping ground,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16we need to filter through that and start to get some soil in there.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Bog garden, same thing, go through, we need to get the soil in there.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Lift the level a little bit.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26The other thing that's really important is to establish whether this thing actually works.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29We've heard lots of stories about barbecue huts
0:11:29 > 0:11:34and how fab they are, and I think it's all a facade.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- I haven't seen any smoke coming out of this. - Or prawns coming out of it.- No.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- Where the ground is core, just taking that away.- OK.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51I always get stick about big machines. I'm like the village idiot!
0:11:51 > 0:11:53HE LAUGHS
0:11:53 > 0:11:56But they do just cut corners and they're no nonsense,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and that's the way we like to work.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59OK, go!
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Gardening one minute, cooking the next minute.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Watch your pinkies.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14See them two guys just... I'm just brilliant.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16They don't realise I'm multi-tasked.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Oh, Wendy! - That's the one with Indian marinade.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Do you want another one?- Thanks.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30All that's planting bed. This is all dry.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Look at that. Did you see that? Did you see what happened then?
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- What happened? - Look, I was digging the perfect hole with a stainless steel spade.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It is undoubtedly the finest tool in the workplace.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51I had nearly finished preparing my hole. I put it to one side and look...
0:12:51 > 0:12:53THEY LAUGH
0:12:53 > 0:12:55He's a magpie. Does he know what he is doing?
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Look, I'll give you a masterclass and then you can go and assess.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- What do you call this tree? - This is a larch.- A larch.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Larix decidua, which is a British native.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11So what you do, you put a layer of soil into the hole and then just use your heel and press it in like that.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16And then you need to give it a really good water, but we'll do the whole garden once we've finished.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19As it grows up, you can lift the skirt a little bit
0:13:19 > 0:13:23so you can come in and start to prune out some of these lower branches to give you a view underneath.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26And you've done that a few times, haven't you?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- What?- Lift the skirt. - THEY LAUGH
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- Must you!- Look. A man wearing Flashdance socks.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36'Oi, don't knock the '80s.'
0:13:38 > 0:13:43'The trees are there to visually provide a dividing line'
0:13:43 > 0:13:46between the barbecue in the deep part of the garden
0:13:46 > 0:13:48and then the driveway in the front part of the garden.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53'That'll give her a greater sense of privacy. They're not in straight lines, not formally arranged.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57'It's almost as if the seeds have been scattered by the wind'
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and they've just fallen and then grown where they landed.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- 'The patio...- Get out of the '80s, it's a terrace.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05'..is coming along.'
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Chocolate cake. Tea.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Do you see the speed at which he disappeared then?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Can I have it on the dining terrace, please?- It's a lovely patio.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18But it's growing into a decent terrace.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Yeah, today's been good.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25'It really does suit me because just hands-on, getting stuck in'
0:14:25 > 0:14:29and getting to the turning point so we can start putting it back together.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30It's the best part of any job.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Chris is planting the new bog garden with plants that will enjoy moist conditions,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41with more than a little help from Wendy's nephew, Barney.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47This is called Sparkling Burgundy. It has really good flowers.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Great foliage as well, and comes up in very elegant spikes.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55One of the nice things about the bog garden plants
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and the reason I like using them is that extra moisture level
0:14:58 > 0:15:03means more nutrients available for the plant and that means larger, more abundant,
0:15:03 > 0:15:08just better quality leaves. They're very bold, they're very glamorous.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13This is Gunnera, and it grows up so that each leaf is
0:15:13 > 0:15:17three or four feet in diameter, and great, big, elegant umbrellas.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19No, it is just lovely. You sneak up the board way
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and in through the trees like Hansel and Gretel,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24and the barbecue hut, which is just lovely.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Well, it'll feel like an adventure.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33It really is beginning to look like it's meant to be there.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Starting to. You can start to see
0:15:35 > 0:15:37the way that the colours and plants are
0:15:37 > 0:15:39all starting to knit together.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40What do you think, Wendy?
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Lightweights! Come here and do some digging!
0:15:43 > 0:15:47I do genuinely think that there is something going on.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Something has been tickled there,
0:15:49 > 0:15:51and I think that she wants to know about her plants.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Look how casual you are with your plant material!
0:15:54 > 0:15:55These are my friends now!
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I think that's great. As the garden starts to mature,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00she'll become more comfortable and confident.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05The worst they can do is just die, but, you know, I think one or two...
0:16:07 > 0:16:09The worst any of us can do!
0:16:11 > 0:16:13So, Chris, let's recap.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- A lot of work being done, a plan of genius.- Why thank you, sir.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Well, we've built and planted a bog garden, built raised beds,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24a terrace, or a patio, a boardwalk,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and planted some trees to gently nestle the Wendy hut
0:16:27 > 0:16:31into what's beginning to be a garden full of passion.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35So while it's raining - again, Chris -
0:16:35 > 0:16:38we need to talk about the tarmac.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Ah, the tarmac.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43I think I need help to persuade Wendy to take the tarmac out.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I think you should get your gravel samples out for the lady.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Tell me where you are with the decision making on this,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53because we were a bit undecided about what was going on.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Well, we weren't undecided.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57We were very decided!
0:16:58 > 0:17:00But, you know, I don't want you to feel as though
0:17:00 > 0:17:03you're being pressured into doing anything.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04So if I give you an idea of
0:17:04 > 0:17:07why we felt that the tarmac wasn't working...
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It looks like a driveway - which, of course, it was -
0:17:10 > 0:17:12and it's just a very dour colour.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15We all agreed, yes, the tarmac is a big sea of this black, hard stuff,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17and it wasn't welcoming
0:17:17 > 0:17:19and it wasn't in keeping with the rest of the garden.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24It looks like we really have just cut into it and then have left it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Yes, I agree in principle that the tarmac has to go.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30So it was what we put there in its place.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34There is a variety of things that you can use. That's a granular product.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39The disadvantage with this is that it's hugely costly.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Way too expensive. So we ruled that out.
0:17:41 > 0:17:47You can then buy a product which you can make into a loose surface.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51You can drive on it, but it does move around in the rain.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So you wake up in the morning after rain, there's nothing there!
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Then we looked at loose gravel.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58You can pretty much choose whatever you want.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01If you want to go down the route of a loose gravel.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03And I did have a bit of deliberation.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05The advantage of the loose gravel, as well,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07it's only a rake you need every so often,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10to get it to turn around and look fresh again.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Chris got his box out of gravel samples.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And the smallest chip that we've got here is like that.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- The smallest ones of those will get into the treads of your shoes.- Yes.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21It's entirely up to you.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24It's really down to, if it's this type of surface,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27which one do you like? It's pick a colour.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Then we decided on the flint.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32We'll ask you again in another hour!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34You know, we change our mind, you know!
0:18:34 > 0:18:36It's a woman's prerogative - you should know that, Colin!
0:18:36 > 0:18:38I feel like a gravel expert now.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41I can't think of any other considerations.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43There's probably a whole army of them!
0:18:43 > 0:18:45You see, this is why we would go with tarmac.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48There's so much to think about, it makes your brain ache.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50"Oh, just stick with the tarmac, it's fine!"
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Chris did suggest everything to us, and I thought, well, you know,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55he's the expert, let's go with it.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57She won't regret it. She really won't.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59And if she does, it's Colin's fault.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- It was his idea.- 'I think it's you that's Dr Evil, Chris!
0:19:06 > 0:19:08'It is a big job to take up the tarmac,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10'so we move in with the big machines.'
0:19:15 > 0:19:17If we get Wendy on the digger to take it up,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21if it all goes horribly wrong, we can say, "Well, you did it, Wendy!"
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- It's a blame culture, have you noticed?!- I know, I know!
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'Another excellent plan, Dr Evil!'
0:19:30 > 0:19:32'Colin doesn't realise I'm not joking.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34'Let's see when he notices.'
0:19:34 > 0:19:36You can either take up the drive at this point
0:19:36 > 0:19:39or you can demolish the conservatory.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- OK.- It's largely up to you.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Just moving the stick across like that, and you're turning round.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- It's coming up like this. Like this. OK?- Run!
0:19:53 > 0:19:55That's not a problem at the moment!
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Oh, I loved that!
0:19:59 > 0:20:00Just gently.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And the look of fear in everybody's face!
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The diggers are good fun and everything,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08but they're pretty lethal!
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Colin, stop looking so nervous!
0:20:14 > 0:20:15I think Chris had it under control.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Just gently back towards you and the bucket will come up.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23I think Wendy is pretty nifty on a machine, actually.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Left hand across to your knee.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Hey!
0:20:31 > 0:20:32Yeah! High five!
0:20:32 > 0:20:34That's your drive in the dumper!
0:20:39 > 0:20:41'Rain didn't stop play from taking up the tarmac
0:20:41 > 0:20:43'or for finishing off the raised beds,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46'or for extending the patio. I mean, terrace!'
0:21:00 > 0:21:01I'm not sure what we'd have done
0:21:01 > 0:21:05if Wendy had have said she didn't want us to take the tarmac up.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08You would have had to arm-wrestle her!
0:21:10 > 0:21:12What depth are you putting yours to?
0:21:14 > 0:21:1952 mil. What about you?
0:21:19 > 0:21:20I was going about 57!
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I had a go on the whacking machine and I realised there's no brake.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31Hurry up!
0:21:33 > 0:21:35It is just like walking the dog!
0:21:35 > 0:21:38I think she likes big vibrating machines!
0:21:38 > 0:21:40See how much faster I am?!
0:21:43 > 0:21:45It's a big, hefty thing, but it has its uses.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Colin?!- Colin I'm talking about, yeah!
0:21:50 > 0:21:53For a while, as I came out every day, "Oh, it's such a mess!"
0:21:53 > 0:21:55But I think they've broke the back of it now,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58and I can see that it's starting to come together.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I was concerned about it, I had my reservations,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05but we'll get there. We'll get it in one.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Wow, what's this?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Lemon drizzle cake. Would you like some?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Does Chris get one too?- Yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- Mine are the pink sprinkles here! - You're lucky your mum didn't see,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16she wouldn't put that on the driveway!
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I was going to talk to you about the garden,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20but I've got a mouthful of cake now!
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- That's very good, love it. - You're welcome.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40'The boardwalk and planting around the Wendy hut has settled in nicely.'
0:22:40 > 0:22:42'A nice use of materials for the raised beds
0:22:42 > 0:22:45'and, of course, the terrace.'
0:22:45 > 0:22:48'All that remains is a little more planting and, of course,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50'the much-anticipated gravel.'
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'This is proper rain. Everyone inside!
0:23:08 > 0:23:12'No rest for the wicked, eh, Chris?'
0:23:12 > 0:23:14'I'm staying outside. If I come in,
0:23:14 > 0:23:18'she might make me eat something else!'
0:23:18 > 0:23:20The soil is so wet. I mean, it's very gloopy.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22If you walk on it, it'll just go like pudding,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25and then when the sun comes out, it'll set like a clay pot,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and the roots won't be able to penetrate, so if the ground is wet,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30or if you think you're going to damage the ground,
0:23:30 > 0:23:31just put a plank there.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37'OK, we get the message, Chris.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39'Back out again, and we'll show you how to work out
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'your measurements on the wall for the climbing plants.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:46You're not as confident with your chalk as me, you see!
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I've been standing on your cheap furniture!
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Colin, did you eat all them pies this morning?!
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I looked at it and it fell through!
0:24:03 > 0:24:07'Thanks. What a good job you turned up today.'
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Shot-Put Charlie coming!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24This is such a hot wall.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25And when the sun bounces off this,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28it's really going to throw all the plants forward.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31At this end, in the dappled shade of the elm here,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I wanted to put something which is quite boisterous - wisteria.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36You can see it is starting to produce
0:24:36 > 0:24:38those wonderful yellow leaves of autumn,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40but it is a plant which is so vigorous,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42it will certainly get involved in the trellis up here,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46and the fence, and you can also, if it's showing real energy,
0:24:46 > 0:24:47send it up into your tree,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51and it's festooned with these wonderful azure-blue flowers.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53So don't be afraid to show it the elm.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55They will become good bedfellows.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02And then you have got a bit of a partnership, this clematis which is very early flowering
0:25:02 > 0:25:04and to partner it, we've got the solanum
0:25:04 > 0:25:08and this is the white flowering solanum, star-like flowers,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10but it is not an enthusiastic climber.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11This gets a bit of vertigo
0:25:11 > 0:25:14so you have to kind of help it. Tie the cane against the wire
0:25:14 > 0:25:19and then each shoot that comes out, just gently tie that back in against the wire.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20You can train it to wherever you wish.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- It is a good series of partnerships there.- Yeah.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And then another good partnership here, the honeysuckle.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Gorgeous flower.- Stunning flowers. Another clematis next to it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32When the clematis has finished, the honeysuckle starts.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35When that's finished, the clematis has a second flush.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38There is always something in flower. There is never a moment
0:25:38 > 0:25:41when the wall, the tapestry of colour on the wall, pauses.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44There is always something performing and creating a real splash.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46That sounds really, really lovely.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53The gravel is a nice choice. The gravel is fantastic.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I actually did a lot of gravelling in my day.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Just to clarify, Colin, you like the gravel, right?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It is good exercise and after the ninth tonne,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Sophie is out helping as well.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Wendy, if you look at where your cane is at the top,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- you've got your cane vertical.- Yes.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14If you tilt the whole plant back
0:26:14 > 0:26:17so the cane is touching the wall like that.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20- OK.- It encourages the plant to find the climbing mechanism
0:26:20 > 0:26:26- and then once it's found it, it will be away.- OK.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31The choice of surface is, I think, absolutely perfect.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35It has a warmth about it and it still operates as a drive.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38And it is all hands on deck again to get the final finishing touches
0:26:38 > 0:26:41of the plants and the raised beds in place.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00When you're going out somewhere like to school in the morning,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03you always know to leave five minutes earlier than usual
0:27:03 > 0:27:04because we both spend
0:27:04 > 0:27:09so much time looking at it on the way up, seeing how nice it is.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15But it is so beautiful, magical, that you can't help but look at it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20It is easy to forget where we started from as it all looks so good now.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23The Wendy hut is now embraced by the garden
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and the planting brims with enthusiasm.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Much as I'm making fun of it, the gravel works
0:27:29 > 0:27:32so well now to set off the garden, but it still lets Wendy park there.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34So after all this hard work,
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- do you think we get to see what the Wendy hut is all about?- I do.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40CHEERING
0:27:43 > 0:27:45First up as usual!
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Thank you very much, everybody.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54I've met fabulous people along the way. Amazing journey and the garden is brilliant.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59- So here's to Chris and Colin. - Hang on, hang on. This...see this?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Size doesn't matter! No, it goes on the size of your mouth,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06that's why Colin has got the big glass.
0:28:06 > 0:28:13- That's very kind of you! - The sausages are burning!
0:28:13 > 0:28:16And now the barbecue hut, it is nestled in there lovely and it is magical.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23It is absolutely fabulous when you look outside
0:28:23 > 0:28:26and go, "This garden is actually mine, good grief!"
0:28:26 > 0:28:30but I think I will be looking for a gardener just to help, Chris.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33LAUGHTER
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
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