0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are few sites more satisfying than a beautiful garden,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06but what do you do if your outdoor space
0:00:06 > 0:00:09isn't quite so picture perfect,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11and you're short on time?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Well, meet the instant gardener.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Ta-dah!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Here's my plan. I'm going to rejuvenate this garden.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Each time, our gardening guru will show you how to create
0:00:24 > 0:00:27gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30That's the art of garden design, delegation.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas and tips...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36It makes it easier to cut through.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40..to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It does feel unnatural, but take your time!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44With his magical ideas...
0:00:44 > 0:00:48These flowers will look like they're floating in amongst the grasses.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52..and advice on spending wisely on a budget.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- That's why Danny makes me bring a list!- OK!
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Oh, my word! This is amazing!
0:00:57 > 0:00:59And, because he's the instant gardener,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03everything you see will happen in just one day.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Oh, my gosh!
0:01:05 > 0:01:06That looks so much better.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18This time, we're in the Hampshire town of Basingstoke.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21While its centre is a thriving financial hub,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25its rapidly expanding suburbs have seen new housing developments
0:01:25 > 0:01:26springing up like daisies.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31All around is evidence of typical family life,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33in both homes and gardens.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37I'm told when you have children,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40spare time magically disappears,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42and today we're meeting a mum-of-five
0:01:42 > 0:01:46who's keen to turn her back garden into an accident-proof space.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49With her hands full of family duties,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51she needs a child-friendly instant garden.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Tania Reid is a devoted single mum, bringing up her five gorgeous
0:02:00 > 0:02:02but demanding children,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07ranging from 17 years old right down to only seven months.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09As if her home duties weren't enough,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Tania has also started several training courses.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Having worked as a carer for several years, she's determined to
0:02:16 > 0:02:21improve her qualifications, and work with even more challenging cases.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24With enough on her shoulders from day-to-day,
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Tania's garden has taken a back seat in the face of her children's needs.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Now, she's in dire need of a relaxing
0:02:31 > 0:02:36and safe outdoor space that all the family can enjoy.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43Tania's garden is a classic example of one owned by a very busy parent,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45with a mismatched selection of odds and ends
0:02:45 > 0:02:48that's grown along with her family.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Running to the gate is a concrete path covered by a lone strip
0:02:51 > 0:02:55of synthetic turf, something that Tania is desperate to
0:02:55 > 0:02:59have more of in her garden to protect her toddlers from injury.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Near to the house is some rickety wooden decking,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05while in the middle of the remnants of the remaining real turf
0:03:05 > 0:03:08is a tired-looking swing set, standing on a square of...
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Is that carpet?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13A rotten rug may not be much help,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16but there are some interesting items here, and in the flower bed
0:03:16 > 0:03:20are some really lovely fruit trees, which Tania planted herself,
0:03:20 > 0:03:21and even a grapevine.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25This old bench belonged to Tania's late grandfather,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28but is now slowly falling to pieces.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It may look like a complete mess, but with some hard work,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and the right design, this garden could become
0:03:34 > 0:03:37a safe and fun haven for the whole family.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Because this garden is so full of junk,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42and Danny has only ten hours to improve it, we've allowed him
0:03:42 > 0:03:45the special privilege of a pre-makeover visit
0:03:45 > 0:03:48from a clear-up team, to strip out all the unwanted clutter,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51but leaving Danny any useful finds.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55And, with very bad weather forecast, this is an extra blessing.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Danny and his team have already got their hands on the garden,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01so let's see how things are coming along.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- Hello! You must be Tania. - Hello, nice to meet you. Come on in. - Thank you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Danny, you have been busy already!
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Hi, Helen. Hello, Tania.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Yeah, we've been very busy.- Wow.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24So, what do you use this space for, then, Tania?
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Um, the children like coming out here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28We have a barbecue,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30and the children just like to play on the swings,
0:04:30 > 0:04:35and we use the fruit trees for making some wine and sauces
0:04:35 > 0:04:37for ice cream and stuff.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39We just love being out in the garden.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- Sauces and ice cream! So, you are quite hands-on in the garden!- Yeah!
0:04:42 > 0:04:43And, what stopped you, then?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Why didn't you manage to get bits finished, and things?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Um, well, I was working.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I was a carer, and then I had to stop,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53cos I had this little one, and then I had this one,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and I've been doing courses to start my own care agency,
0:04:56 > 0:04:57so I've been really busy,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59so I haven't had time to finish anything off.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03So, little Primrose, here... Hello, Primrose. ..is the youngest of five children?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05- Five children, yeah. - She is...?- Seven months.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- And, your eldest is...?- 17.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09So, you need your garden to be a lot of things to
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- a lot of different people, don't you?- Yeah.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13What would you like to see out here?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Um, somewhere safe, because Tilly falls over quite a bit,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19so it needs to be quite safe for her, and somewhere where we can sit
0:05:19 > 0:05:22and have a barbecue, and just watch the kids play.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Tilly, don't worry about it. It happens to the best of us, doesn't it, Danny?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It does, yeah, absolutely.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29And, what about the bench?
0:05:29 > 0:05:31The bench, it was with my grandad, and it's sat there,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- and it's kind of sloping to the side all the time!- OK.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- So, it has quite a lot of sentimental value?- It does, yes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39But, bless it, like you say, it's sloping,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41it doesn't have much practical use at the moment.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Not at the moment, no, but it would be nice to sit there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Well, you never know.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Is that something you can do, Danny, because there's a lot of people
0:05:48 > 0:05:50who want to use this garden in different ways.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52OK, well, we're going to give it a good go,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55bearing in mind that the weather isn't that clever today,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58so we're going to give it a try, but I'm sure we can do it.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Is there anything we can help you with?- Yes, you can.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Um, I've got my trusty book here in my pocket.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- This is his shopping list that he sends us off with. - Yeah.- OK.- Okie-doke.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08So, if I can give you that,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- there's a whole list of plants that I'd like you to get.- OK.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- So, there you go.- OK. - And, I'll catch up with you later.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15We'll get out of your way.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20While I take Tania off to find plants and inspiration,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23the team can weave their instant garden magic.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25So, Danny, what's your plan?
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Today, the weather forecast is for torrential rain,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33so we've had to take precautions, and put these gazebos up,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36otherwise we're going to be working in the squelching mess.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39So, the big plan, we've got this bit here, which is
0:06:39 > 0:06:43actually quite natural, a natural indentation in the soil,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46so we're going to take some of this soil that's in the middle,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and move it over into this dip.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51That will assist us in grading it.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55The big consideration for Tania is the safety of her children.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58We've got some really funky coloured tyre chippings, and that's
0:06:58 > 0:07:02what's going to go in that area, to make a patio area close to the house.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Now, beyond that, further out into the garden,
0:07:06 > 0:07:07we're going to have a lawned area,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and that's going to consist of artificial grass, which is
0:07:10 > 0:07:13absolutely fantastic because it's going to be low-maintenance.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16So, Tania can come out here, she won't have to worry about
0:07:16 > 0:07:19cutting the grass, doing any weeding or anything like that.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22And right in the corner we're going to have a fairy grotto.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24That's going to have a seating area
0:07:24 > 0:07:26and that's going to have an arch over it.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28We've got a little mini orchard here,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31so, you know, we don't really need to add to that.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32There's some lovely apple trees.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35So, really, a lot of things are going to stay.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37We're only just going to add to it.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39The weather's inclement. I mean, it's going to come in,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42it's going to be really awful. So that...
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It's going to slow us up.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46So we really need to get cracking with this.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Danny's dedicated support team, handyman AJ
0:07:50 > 0:07:54and horticulturalist Lou, are here to help as always,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56and Tania's brother Dean,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00plus her eldest son, 17-year-old student Tom, are pitching in too.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06The first job is to dig the whole garden over to level it out.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Today it's raking, raking and more raking,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11cos we need to get this nice and level.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12You look like you've done this before.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Yeah, I like doing gardening, groundwork and bits like that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- Do you?- Yeah.- Right, yeah, you're doing a good job, I must admit.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Cheers, mate.- Definitely handy lads to have on our team.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24That's really good. And they're making a great job of it.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27So I don't know what we would do without them.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32In only an hour the team make a huge difference to the lay of the land.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Absolutely brilliant.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37You can see the sweat on my brow, working really hard, erm,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39doing all this by myself, as you can see(!)
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I suppose you've got to go back to your dressing room,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44haven't you, to have your lobster bisque(?)
0:08:44 > 0:08:46DANNY LAUGHS Yeah, that's next on the list!
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Yeah.- In fact, I just had the phone call to say it'll be ready soon!
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Yeah.- So I'll have to leave you guys to it.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- What do you think Tania would think of this?- Oh, she'd be shocked.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Would she?- She would be. - Absolutely shocked?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- She would, looking at it now.- Yeah. - Yeah, it's completely different.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Will she be happy with the way it is?- Not left like this!
0:09:02 > 0:09:04All right, then, cos I thought it was going to lead to something.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07I was actually going to say, well, if she's going to be happy
0:09:07 > 0:09:09with it now why don't we just go home and leave it?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11But, er, that would be unfair, wouldn't it,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13so we need to get cracking and get it done.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17With the ground level, Danny can lay out his design for the patio -
0:09:17 > 0:09:21a rectangle filled with child-friendly rubber bark chips.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25So, one of the things we need to do is to mark out the patio area.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- So, erm, shall we get cracking on that?- Yeah.- Shall we do that?- Yeah.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- All right, so, what I'll do, if you can hold that for me?- Yeah, no probs.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And if you could put that against the wall.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40And we're going to measure out about two metres.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44So, all we need to do is do a straight line,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47or a rough line, between the two pegs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50When I was thinking about it, I thought, oh, it's like a referee
0:09:50 > 0:09:52drawing a line ready to pull in a wall.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54I could see them all standing there like this.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55- Like this.- Yeah, oh, oh, hold on!
0:09:55 > 0:09:59If we jump, he might do a Messi and try and pass it under the wall
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- and into the net.- It could well be. - It could be, couldn't it?- Yeah.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03- What do you reckon?- Ooh!
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- THEY LAUGH Let's all duck!- Yeah, duck!
0:10:07 > 0:10:09While Danny and the boys are plotting a safe
0:10:09 > 0:10:13but stylish haven for Tania, I'm taking her to a woodland garden
0:10:13 > 0:10:15with an air of enchantment.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19As part of Danny's plan is for a fairy grotto, I'm showing Tania how
0:10:19 > 0:10:23some creative gardening can make a magical wonderland
0:10:23 > 0:10:24for both kids and adults.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27To prove the theory, we've brought Tania's two little ones with us,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31and Tania's mum Jan has come along to help with the children.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Come on, then, Tilly! Let's see what we can find!
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- Come on down this way. - Like a flamingo pink!
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Flamingo pink, yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Lovely.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- She's quite happy outside, isn't she?- Yeah, she loves the garden.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Look, Primrose!
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Primrose is in camouflage!
0:10:50 > 0:10:52It's a shame about the weather
0:10:52 > 0:10:55but there's plenty of cover in this garden.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57As someone who clearly loves her children,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- and loves your garden, put quite a lot of effort into it...- Yeah.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03..what's it like to see your little girl running around,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- looking into the flowers? - Oh, it's lovely, it's amazing.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Hopefully she'll be like that when, er, with our garden.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Is that what you'd kind of like to see, your kids out there,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16enjoying the outside space, liking it, loving it?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20Yeah, exploring it, smelling it, erm, yeah, enjoying the weather,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22when it's nice!
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Furzey Gardens in the New Forest
0:11:26 > 0:11:30is a gorgeous maze of informal woodland planting and winding paths.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Built around a 16th century thatched cottage,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36it was first planted in 1922,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38and has some inspired fairytale touches.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Now, then, what do we have down here?
0:11:43 > 0:11:44Oh, wow!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47It's a fairy gate!
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Show Mummy the fairy gate!
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Where's the fairy gate? Look, and the glitter.- You see that?
0:11:52 > 0:11:54What is it, Tilly? Fairies?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57And is this a kind of element you might like to
0:11:57 > 0:12:00introduce to your garden? Little bit of magic and mystery?
0:12:00 > 0:12:01Bit of magic, yeah, definitely.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Well, there's plenty more to learn about this garden.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05It's not all about fairies,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I knew they were something you would like, but let's go
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- and find the head gardener, who can tell us a bit more.- OK, Helen.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Keep your eye out for the fairies.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19While we go searching for inspiration as well as magical
0:12:19 > 0:12:24beings, back in Basingstoke, the gathering clouds have finally burst.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Levelling the garden just got that much harder
0:12:27 > 0:12:29as the soil turns to mud.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31But, undeterred, Danny's digging a trench
0:12:31 > 0:12:33for some edging for his rubber chip patio.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- Whatever you do, don't fill up Danny's trench.- Yep!- He'll be upset.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39I will be very upset.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43But he's spotted a potential problem.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46When it comes to building any surface, you see, you don't want
0:12:46 > 0:12:50your earth to go above the level of the damp proof course.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54And what I mean by the damp proof course...
0:12:55 > 0:12:58There's normally like a black line here.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01So you don't want your earth above there...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04cos that could cause problems to the wall.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08The patio edging can now go in,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10but those rubber chips will have to wait.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13The delivery van carrying them, and the artificial turf,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17is trapped in deluge-ridden traffic, and time is beginning to get short.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22We've got no rubber chippings, we've got no artificial grass,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25but what we have got is an absolute monsoon.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Just listen to it.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28RAIN PATTERS ON TARP
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And rain isn't the only problem that will interfere with Danny's digging.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Here's a little tip - when the ground is very bony,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38what I mean's stony, it's just a horticultural term, "bony,"
0:13:38 > 0:13:41but when it's very stony, erm, sometimes your fork,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45when you're digging with a fork, it doesn't go in very far
0:13:45 > 0:13:46because you might have hit a stone.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50So what I would do is put the fork upright like this
0:13:50 > 0:13:52and just gently twist it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Take your time, don't rush it.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58And you'll find that that stone that's in the ground
0:13:58 > 0:14:00will slowly get displaced.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Look at that.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06With the ground prepared, Danny can unleash his creative flair
0:14:06 > 0:14:08for his favourite part of the process -
0:14:08 > 0:14:10planting.
0:14:10 > 0:14:11One of my favourites...
0:14:12 > 0:14:13..are these foxgloves.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Now this is a great woodland plant, but having said that,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20as well as being good in shade, it's also good in the sun.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I mean, I would say really good in half shade and sun,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25an absolute beautiful plant,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28with a bell-shaped flower,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and I don't know if you've noticed,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32bees love them, erm,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and they use the flowers like a landing pad.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39So they go in there and collect the nectar, they then fly off again.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I would really recommend this plant.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43An absolute showstopper.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Back in the garden, the trees for the fairy grotto are in position.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50These have got to be a must for an enchanted garden,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54contorted hazel with these twisty stems.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Absolutely wonderful.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57They're going to give this garden
0:14:57 > 0:15:01that enchanted, that, erm, mysterious feel.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04I think, an absolute must.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Another bonus is you get lovely long catkins in the spring.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Kids absolutely love catkins.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14They're going to find these absolutely wonderful.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16If you're lucky you can get hazelnuts on these.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18But you wouldn't want to eat them -
0:15:18 > 0:15:20mainly for decoration.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22But they look absolutely fabulous.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- Looks like they've got lives of their own, doesn't it?- Mm.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Which adds to their sort of spookiness.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- Yeah, very, very mysterious. - Brilliant, doing their own thing.- Mm.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Great. OK, so, shall we plant them in?
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Cos I know you're dying to put them in the ground.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I'd just like to get something in the ground!
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Lou is never happier than when she's putting things in the ground,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42than when she's planting!
0:15:42 > 0:15:43Look at the smile on her face!
0:15:47 > 0:15:51While Danny and Lou go nuts over their hazel trees, Tania and I
0:15:51 > 0:15:55are continuing our magical mystery tour of Furzey Gardens.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I want to find out more from head gardener Peter.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Come down here.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Peter! Good to see you!
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- All right!- Hi.- You look very busy. - Just doing a bit of weeding.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08This is Tania and her family.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Nice to meet you. Hiya. - Nice to meet you.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Tell us a bit about Furzey Gardens, then, Peter.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Right, we're really lucky, Furzey's a fantastic place.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It's been here for 90 years.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21We've got some wonderful rare and beautiful plants.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25There's so much to look at, from tiny bluebells close to the ground
0:16:25 > 0:16:27to these huge big towering blousy flowers.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Is it quite intentional to have those different heights?
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Yeah, well, we're very lucky.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34We've got sort of stock and all the plant material.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37But, yeah, everybody should try and do that in their garden.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It makes so much more interest if you've got different things
0:16:39 > 0:16:42at different levels happening at different times of the year.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45So that idea of under-planting and putting a lot into one space,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48is that something you can recreate in a small garden?
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Yeah, I think especially in a small garden cos you've got to
0:16:51 > 0:16:52get as much in as you can.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I really love to fill every available square inch of
0:16:55 > 0:16:56garden with plants.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00There's no point in looking at soil, you want to look at the colour.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03It's lovely to see the big smile that creeps over your face when your
0:17:03 > 0:17:06girls are sort of running around and exploring and all the rest of it.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Again, is that something intentional that you've tried to create here?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12The garden is really popular with children,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and I think, erm, gardens are just great places for kids.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Er, we're trying to really emphasise here, we're making this environment,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22inviting children and making it fun for them, and trying to
0:17:22 > 0:17:26give them an opportunity to really discover plants, discover nature.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29But how do you get kids excited about plants and nature,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- then, Peter?- Well, we've got a little thing going on here,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34apparently there are fairies living in this garden.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35I've never seen them but, you know,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37you see enough evidence of them here and there.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38The kids seem to find them.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40And seeing the fairies is just
0:17:40 > 0:17:42an extension of the wildlife we have here.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44And how important is it for you for your children to be
0:17:44 > 0:17:47excited by the garden and getting down amongst the plants?
0:17:47 > 0:17:53Really exciting cos it gives them a new, erm, lease on nature.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57It's not just something that's grown, it's, it takes time to bloom,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00it takes different smells and all sorts.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Exactly what you were saying,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04we really want the children to get in amongst the plants and
0:18:04 > 0:18:08smell them and touch them and feel them, and really understand them.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13This garden feels very unmanaged. I suspect that's not true.
0:18:13 > 0:18:14Not really, no.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18We have to work quite hard to make it look this informal,
0:18:18 > 0:18:19actually, but that's what we want.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24We don't want a very organised place, erm, very formal.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25We want people to be able to relax
0:18:25 > 0:18:28and feel that it's very naturalistic.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29Is that something you like?
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Very, yeah, definitely, because otherwise it just looks too,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36erm, too straight and boring.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39So something like this is so much more...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41it's so much more relaxing
0:18:41 > 0:18:45and a joy to look at rather than just seeing something straight.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49So how do you do that? How do you create the effortless look?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Well, we have lots of wild flowers, and we allow them to grow,
0:18:53 > 0:18:54we allow them to self-seed.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57We let all the bluebells and the daffodils stay.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59We don't cut them back, we leave them.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03There is a lot of long grass, we've got orchids in the garden.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08And it's just making sure that nothing is too neat.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11It feels like a wonderful atmosphere.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15You kind of have had a smile since you stepped foot in this place.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- Yeah.- And you said that the garden is kind of important to creating
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- an atmosphere for your whole family.- Yeah.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Peter, thank you very much for your time.- You're welcome.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- Has this given you some ideas? - Definitely, yes.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I don't think we can create something on this scale
0:19:29 > 0:19:32but we can certainly pinch a few ideas.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33- Yeah!- Come on, team!
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Shall we find some more fairies, Tilly?
0:19:39 > 0:19:43We might not all have the long history and impressive acreage of
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Furzey, but there are plenty of ideas in this enchanting garden
0:19:46 > 0:19:49that are easy to try out at home.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Create mystery in your garden by planting hedges, shrubs or other
0:19:53 > 0:19:58barriers, so that the eye can't see the whole garden at a glance.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Twisting paths produce a journey around the garden.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04A design that draws you around different areas can work,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06even in small spaces.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Kids adore miniature things.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10While fairy doors may work a treat,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13so will other tiny magical touches
0:20:13 > 0:20:16like Alpine strawberries or bonsai trees.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Back at Tania's garden, planting is under way,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29despite the torrential rain.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Look at this flower.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Absolutely gorgeous.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Now, this is a great plant for any situation.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Put it in the ground and it's going to give some amazing ground cover.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Now, this is called bugle.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45That's the common name for it.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Or the Latin name, Ajuga.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Absolutely beautiful. It's got these lovely glossy
0:20:51 > 0:20:54sort of reddy-coloured leaves, erm,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57and, you know, I can't sing its praises highly enough.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We're now more than halfway through the day,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and the downpour is showing no sign of stopping.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07The garden's wringing wet despite the gazebos,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and Danny's team is drenched.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12But there's one ray of sunshine -
0:21:12 > 0:21:13AJ's been to buy the arch.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15So I've been out shopping for you
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and got you something just to put your plants up.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Oh, do you know, it's about time we had some good news.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- That's brought a smile to my face. - Will that do? Have a look.- Yep.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Do you know what, that's...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I think it'll be wide enough to go over...the bench.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Absolutely ideal. We're going to put the bench here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35So your feet are effectively on the lawn when you're sitting down.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38So that means all we need to do is put
0:21:38 > 0:21:42a couple of slabs on each of the four corners for the legs of the bench.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- How's that?- Brilliant. Which reminds me...
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Yes?- I need to start fixing that bench.- I think you do.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- So can I get off and...? - You go off and do your thing.- OK.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52And we'll crack on with this.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Brilliant, great, see you in a bit. - See you in a bit.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Danny did sort of promise to try
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and renovate Tania's late grandad's bench,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05so AJ gets to work fixing the struts to make it serviceable once more.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08It's down to the boys to construct the archway.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11But, of course, AJ can't help getting involved too.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12It's a flat pack kit,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15which should mean that it's super simple to put together.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16Right, boys?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- So, I reckon, by looking at this... - And at the top here.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- ..the four threes are the bottom ones.- Mm-hm.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23The bottom one has to have no hole at the top.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24It has to have the, er...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Yeah, the bit...- One of them bits. - Yeah, the top's got to be like that.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Three ones on top.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32The fours are the cross bars, and the twos are the arches.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34And then a couple of them might have one on it
0:22:34 > 0:22:37but everything else will be, that's straight, will be a one.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Well, that sounds easy enough!
0:22:43 > 0:22:45While Danny's team struggle with simple instructions
0:22:45 > 0:22:48in the pouring rain, I'm taking some time out with Tania
0:22:48 > 0:22:52to find out why having a family garden is so important to her.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Tell me a bit about your family, then, Tania,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58because five children on your own, that must be quite full-on at times.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Five children's quite hard.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03They're from, like, 17 to seven months,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05so they're a whole different range.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09The older ones kind of help out sometimes - if they're paid!
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Erm, but, yeah, it's quite hard.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- 17-year-olds down to Primrose.- Yep.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16They're kind of at every stage, aren't they,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20so you're dealing with school and exams and moving from primary
0:23:20 > 0:23:23school to secondary school, and you're dealing with potty training.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- Yep.- Are you tired?- All the time.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Tired all the time.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Up at half five, maybe six in the morning,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32getting everybody ready for school,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35getting all the breakfasts ready for school, getting everybody
0:23:35 > 0:23:38out of the door, and then off to the shops in the morning...
0:23:38 > 0:23:41It is very tiring but it's worth it cos I love it.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44So your whole life is dedicated to the children?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46My whole life is dedicated to my children.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49How much of the day or the week do you spend doing things for you?
0:23:49 > 0:23:54I've never done it. I haven't done anything for myself for 17 years.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55My life is my children.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Tell me about the garden, then, because you, in the past,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03have tried to do things in the garden by yourself, for them.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06What is the garden for in your eyes? Is it for them or for you?
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's about integrating children and the adults together.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11So the children could be playing
0:24:11 > 0:24:15but also the adults are there to have their kind of thing going on.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- All the time you're doing things for the children...- Yeah.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22..if you had the garden as a nice, entertaining, relaxing space,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25would you be able to enjoy it, do something for you,
0:24:25 > 0:24:26but also at the same time...?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I think so, cos at night, when I've got the children to sleep,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31it would be lovely to sit out there with the stars.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I love the stars, it'd be nice to sit out there with some candles,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36with the solar lights on and just chill,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and maybe have a glass of wine that I haven't had in a long time!
0:24:41 > 0:24:44For Tania, time for gardening is a distant dream,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47as she's not only looking after the children
0:24:47 > 0:24:50but also training to pursue her career in care.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55I want to be an independent carer, so I'm doing psychotherapy
0:24:55 > 0:24:58and counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02I'm also doing a dementia befriender course at the moment,
0:25:02 > 0:25:03just so I can have...
0:25:03 > 0:25:07as much information, as much knowledge as what maybe
0:25:07 > 0:25:10a normal carer would have, I've got.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13So being a full-time mum, doing your training, doesn't leave
0:25:13 > 0:25:16a lot of time, what about resources in terms of money?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Are you in a position to just hire a gardener and say,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21"Come in, transform my garden?"
0:25:21 > 0:25:23No, I'm not in a position, and I try to use
0:25:23 > 0:25:28the things I have, to re-use them in a different way, if I can,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30because money's quite tight.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32I can imagine with five children to feed!
0:25:32 > 0:25:36You have said several times that you want your garden to be
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- child friendly.- Tilly always falls over thin air, so...
0:25:39 > 0:25:44And I don't like seeing bruises on children, so it's a good...
0:25:44 > 0:25:47It needs to be safe for them falling over.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Gorgeous as she is, she is a little accident-prone, bless her,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- isn't she?- Yeah, definitely.- She's fallen over several times today!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- Definitely.- So it's important for you to have
0:25:56 > 0:25:57somewhere that they can go out there...?
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Yeah, and I haven't got to worry, I know they're safe out there
0:26:00 > 0:26:02and they're not going to harm themself.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05OK, well, fingers crossed you are going to end up with a garden
0:26:05 > 0:26:08that you can enjoy, that the children can enjoy, and that
0:26:08 > 0:26:11you can switch off in for probably about three to four minutes.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14TANIA LAUGHS Yeah! OK!
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Back in Basingstoke, AJ has managed to breathe new life
0:26:20 > 0:26:24into Tania's grandad's old bench.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Ah-ha-ha-ha!
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Look at him!
0:26:28 > 0:26:32You look like a man who's, erm, very happy with his work.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- I like it. If you're sitting on it, it must be sturdy!- Yeah!
0:26:35 > 0:26:37THEY LAUGH
0:26:37 > 0:26:39You got me there.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Now the bench will take pride of place in the corner,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46tucked amongst Danny's bewitching bedding.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48But it needs a firm base, and AJ has the answer.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- These are some of the slabs we took out...- OK, brilliant, so, yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- ..earlier for the recycling.- Yeah.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Now, we've got two whole ones,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01but then we've got two with these corners cut off.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04But it's worked out for the best.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Cos you've got a nice 90 degree angle there and you're
0:27:07 > 0:27:11offsetting this arch, so normally you'd think, "Oh, hold on a second!
0:27:11 > 0:27:15"That's not going to look very nice there."
0:27:15 > 0:27:17But as we're offsetting the angle...
0:27:19 > 0:27:21..we'd want the corner off anyway.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Do you know what? That is what you call a happy accident!
0:27:24 > 0:27:29- Yes, definitely.- Brilliant. Well thought through, so, I like it.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32We've got two of these sort of reddy-pink ones like that,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34and then two whole yellow ones...
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- Can go at the back.- ..behind it.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- Brilliant.- Sounds good?- Sounds good. I like it.- I'll crack on.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44AJ uses the edge of one slab to level the ground before laying the
0:27:44 > 0:27:48others so that Danny can position that expertly assembled arch.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Now, we've got this arch. Now, an arch, what do you do with an arch?
0:27:55 > 0:28:01You normally walk through it. The issue here is, where do you walk to?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04At the moment, you're just going to walk to that fence, aren't you?
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Walk through the arch to that fence.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12So I've come up with an idea of perhaps using one of Tania's...
0:28:12 > 0:28:13mirrors.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18So this is another example as to how we can
0:28:18 > 0:28:20upcycle effectively,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22and put it...
0:28:23 > 0:28:26..behind the seating area like this.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28So it actually gives you the illusion
0:28:28 > 0:28:32of the garden seeming bigger than it is.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37And any archway to Fairyland's going to need some climbers.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41Danny's chosen a Clematis, but he's also recycling something
0:28:41 > 0:28:44he's found in Tania's hoard - a neglected grapevine.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47I think what has happened is Tania, erm,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50hasn't known what to do with it and she's probably just plonked it
0:28:50 > 0:28:54here for the time being, thinking she might plant it in the future.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56So what I'm going to do, I'm going to dig it up,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59and the plan is to put it over the arch, OK?
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Now, it's important that you don't buy a tender vine.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Buy a hardy one.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06If you buy a tender one the chances are you'll lose it
0:29:06 > 0:29:08in a harsh winter.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10A hardy one is more likely to survive.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Pinch some of the grapes out
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and all the energy will go into making nice big bunches,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17and they will look absolutely fabulous,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19especially against that arch over there.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22And the kids will love 'em cos they'll want to pick 'em
0:29:22 > 0:29:26and eat them, and it's a great way to introduce them to gardening.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27What could be better?
0:29:29 > 0:29:30There we are.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Now I've rescued it, I'm going to give it a nice new home
0:29:33 > 0:29:35where it can flourish.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36The archway's looking good,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39but the rest of the garden is frankly a shocker.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43With less than two hours to go, there's still no artificial lawn,
0:29:43 > 0:29:48and the rubber chippings are still missing in transit - until now.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49Danny!
0:29:49 > 0:29:53- Some good news.- Some good news? - Look what's turned up.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Deep, deep, deep joy!
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- So at least we can get this down... - Get this down, brilliant.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- ..in that area, and then we'll just take it from there.- Great.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- Everything all right?- Yeah. - I'll crack on with that.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10- At least that's one half of the issue resolved.- Nice colour, though.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- It's a lovely colour, isn't it? - It's a lovely colour.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Yeah, it looks really funky. Brilliant.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19These recycled rubber chippings will provide a safe,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21soft area for the children.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24I haven't said this yet, Danny, but -
0:30:24 > 0:30:26on any of the gardens we've done -
0:30:26 > 0:30:29but I do actually love this planting you've done here today.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33- Do you?- Yeah.- Thank you very much, AJ.- It is really nice.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Praise from AJ is praise indeed.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- Thank you very much. - That's all you'll get. Never again.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41DANNY LAUGHS
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- But you need cheering up. - Thank you, thank you.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48The planting and the patio might be looking good, but thanks to the
0:30:48 > 0:30:52downpour the ground is a disaster, an ankle-deep muddy swamp.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57There's no way the artificial grass is going down on this.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00The team need to spread a thick layer of builder's sand
0:31:00 > 0:31:04to level the ground before fitting that artificial grass.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07But, despite making a start on that, and with Tania due home
0:31:07 > 0:31:11within the hour, it's not looking like the job can be finished today.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Today has not gone well, has it?
0:31:15 > 0:31:19It hasn't been a good day, but this rain certainly hasn't helped, has it?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- It's all been against us. - The rain has been against us.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24We've just got to put this down to experience...
0:31:24 > 0:31:26and never experience it again.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31Next time, turn up, turn around, and just leave.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34With Danny and the team praying for a let-up in the rain,
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Tania and I have one last task to complete -
0:31:37 > 0:31:40finding the plants on Danny's shopping list.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Time to collar a friendly expert in Furzey's garden shop.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47These look kind of...
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Oh, they're pretty, yeah, definitely.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- They're lovely. Really lovely.- Mm.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57- I don't know what they are. - Can I help you?- I suspect Tim does.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59- Tim, Tania, Tania, Tim. - Hi, Tim.- Hello.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02We are after some plants that we can put underneath trees,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06because Danny the gardener was very keen that we get some things
0:32:06 > 0:32:08that you can under-plant, and they're going to be OK there.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11On our list we have geraniums.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Is there anything else you would recommend?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17We've got the veronica, with the lovely white flowers that'll
0:32:17 > 0:32:20gradually increase and spread.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23On the other side we've got the brunnera, which is great for the
0:32:23 > 0:32:25silvery foliage, forming mats,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29and you can divide it as well to get new plants for free.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31And the aquilegia,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33which will self-seed around.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36You don't know what colour seedlings you're going to get up, so
0:32:36 > 0:32:40you'll have a nice variety, and they should self-seed all over the area.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- Oh, that's really good, there's like variety.- Yes.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Yeah, because some people have a particular colour palette.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- Is that something you're bothered about?- I'm not bothered.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51As long as it... As long as there's a whole range, I don't mind.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55- I like colours.- And you talked about those plants forming a mat.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Does that give quite a woodland sort of feel and atmosphere?
0:32:59 > 0:33:03- Yes, it'll give a nice natural effect, yes.- Lovely.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06This selection of plants look as if they would fit well
0:33:06 > 0:33:09in a sort of fairy dell woodland setting.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Will they survive in a garden frequented by young children?
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Yes, they will, they're all fairly tough
0:33:15 > 0:33:18so will take a few knocks from children.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Erm, they're also suitable cos they will get a bit of shade
0:33:22 > 0:33:24from the trees, so these can all
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- tolerate a bit of shade as well.- Excellent.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28How easy is it to grow an azalea
0:33:28 > 0:33:31if you don't have the right kind of soil?
0:33:31 > 0:33:32So if you don't have acid soil,
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- you either grow it in a container with ericaceous compost...- OK.
0:33:37 > 0:33:42..or you add peat to your soil to make the soil more acid.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- OK.- What about these geraniums?
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Well, those geraniums, they're great.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50They, again, they're very tough.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52They can take, you know, a few knocks from the children,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55and, yeah, again, they'll form a carpet,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57and they seed around as well.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Oh, lovely, it's already starting to look like a forest, in my mind!
0:34:01 > 0:34:06It's a woodland, child-proof, colourful mix of exciting plants.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07Definitely. Magical.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Is there anything else, Tim, that might create a bit of magic
0:34:11 > 0:34:13and welcome the fairies to Tania's garden?
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Well, to create that extra bit of fairy magic, I recommend...
0:34:17 > 0:34:21- Oh, wow!- Your very own fairy door. - Your very own fairy door.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Oh, wow, and it has "Primrose" on! Oh, that's lovely.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27- They've made that especially for you.- Oh, thank you.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- Your very own fairy door to welcome fairies to the garden.- Oh, lovely.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36While Danny and the team have been hard at work,
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I've left Tania to look after the children.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40I'm popping back to the garden
0:34:40 > 0:34:44for an exclusive preview of this magical transformation.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45Hello, Helen.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49You two look like a real sorry pair,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52but that's nothing compared to the garden!
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- What's gone wrong?- Well, whatever could have gone wrong has gone wrong.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Erm, it's been an absolute nightmare today.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- As you can see, we haven't quite finished.- So what should be here?
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Should be artificial grass. We tried and tried to get it done.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11I feel like I need to hug you both, you look as if you could cry!
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Do you know what? The garden that is done looks great,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17the plants look great,
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- this looks fabulous.- Yeah.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23Yeah, I mean, it looks great, but we couldn't quite finish it off.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- And really the turf would have just brought it all together.- Mm-hm.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Yeah, this is potentially a nightmare
0:35:29 > 0:35:31for a mother of young children...
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- Yeah.- ..cos all that mud is going to go in the house.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I know if my mum was watching this she would have nightmares.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37What are we going to do?
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Well, we're going to come back very, very soon
0:35:39 > 0:35:41and we're going to complete it.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43And I'll break the news, shall I?
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Yeah, OK.- Yes, that'd be good. - Stay there, you two.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47OK, Helen, thank you.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Thanks to the weather, it's the first time an instant garden
0:35:50 > 0:35:54hasn't been finished in a day, and we're all gutted.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Poor Danny - and poor Tania!
0:35:58 > 0:36:01A few days later, you wouldn't know it was the same country,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05it is so sunny, so Danny and AJ are heading back to finish the job,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07hoping that the mud bath has dried out.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08- AJ?- Yes, mate?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Do you want to have a look and see what you think about this?
0:36:11 > 0:36:13What do you reckon to this...?
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- Underneath.- Let's reveal. - Reveal everything.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21- Well, it's ten times better than before.- Yeah.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Still a bit of work to do.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Yeah, we've got to level it off, haven't we?
0:36:25 > 0:36:27But that shouldn't take long - unless, of course,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Danny's used his day off to think up more work for himself!
0:36:30 > 0:36:33AJ, while I've been away, I've been thinking,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36that metal edging just doesn't look right.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I'm not totally happy with it.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40I think we need something that's softer.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I think wood would be more in keeping with this garden,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47with the overall scheme. I reckon we should change it to that.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49The other thing I thought was perhaps we could get
0:36:49 > 0:36:51a bit of shade in the garden.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52It's a south-facing garden,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55on a hot day it's going to be pretty baking in here,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58so I thought we could get some shade in,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00so I thought we'd get a shade sail erected.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02- What are you calling it?- Shade sail.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04BOTH: Shade sail.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06It's a ship's sail, really.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09It's like the same shape as a ship's sail.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Say that quickly.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Same shape as a... - Same shape as a sip-ship's sail!
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Same shape as a ship's shail!
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Same shape as a ship's shail! Hmm, tongue twister.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21Careful, fellas!
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Same sh...- Shut up!- Shut up, OK.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25So this shade...
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- Yeah.- How are you going to create it?
0:37:28 > 0:37:29Well, I thought we could use...
0:37:29 > 0:37:33As it's a triangle, we're going to need three posts.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38Attached to three posts, the triangular sail will create
0:37:38 > 0:37:41a stylish sun shade in this very open garden.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45If we have this side either slightly higher or lower than that one
0:37:45 > 0:37:47to give it a bit more 3D shape?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Yeah, and that'll look quite quirky, won't it?- I think so.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51Yeah, it'll look great.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55But now, as well as finishing the lawn,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Danny's created two more new jobs -
0:37:57 > 0:38:01putting up the shade sail and changing the patio edging.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Better get a move on, boys!
0:38:03 > 0:38:05The good thing about timber edging,
0:38:05 > 0:38:07it's better than that aluminium stuff,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11the fact that you just dig a trench, bang, in it goes,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14and it's a lot more solid and straight, and...
0:38:16 > 0:38:17..you can't beat wood.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Now onto the sail, which needs three poles to hold it up.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27AJ has just added the cement, so it's quick-dried cement,
0:38:27 > 0:38:29so it should go off within 20 minutes.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31With any sort of things like this
0:38:31 > 0:38:33I would always, if you've got the time,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37give it as long as possible so then we can just leave it
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and let it settle itself.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Right, just get it out of the way of the cement. Well done, Sherlock.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48DANNY LAUGHS
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Right, can you reach now, clever clogs?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54No, I've put it at the perfect height that you asked me to put it.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55You can't reach!
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Oh, hold on. AJ, I think this looks absolutely fabulous.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07And apart from looking great, being a great feature, I think
0:39:07 > 0:39:11this will give welcome shade for Tania's children.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14At long last Danny can finish the lawn.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Artificial turf needs a base of sand laid to a depth of 5cm
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and levelled out over the lumps and bumps.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Here's a little tip - when raking an area and you want it nice
0:39:25 > 0:39:26and level, get down low.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Then you can see where you're going,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32and also the motion of the rake is going to be
0:39:32 > 0:39:34at least parallel to the ground.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41And now I've done this, will I be able to get up again?
0:39:41 > 0:39:42Probably not.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48To get the sand base good and firm, Danny's using a wacker plate,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51a machine with a vibrating plate to compact the sand.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58A not-quite-instant day and a half after they began,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Danny and AJ can finally get that artificial lawn rolled out.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Really, this is the last thing that you do.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I mean, even when you're laying normal turf it's normally
0:40:08 > 0:40:10a thing you do as you're going out of the gate,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13the last thing you do, because you don't want people walking on it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:19And to be fair, erm, with turf, normal turf, you can't really walk
0:40:19 > 0:40:23on it for at least 10 days cos you'll want it to settle and to take root.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27But with this, once it's down, you can quite happily walk on it,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30and the kids can come out and play straight away.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34- This is kind of like the last mile of our marathon.- It is!
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Come on, then. Come on, let's sprint it!
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Once the turf that Tania so desperately wanted is finally
0:40:41 > 0:40:45rolled out, all that remains is to secure it with metal pins.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50And as a finishing touch, we've got this lovely fairy door that
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Tania and Helen brought back for the kids,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55and I'm just going to put it under this tree.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05At long last, this epic, almost instant garden is complete!
0:41:06 > 0:41:10When we started, this garden was a hotchpotch of mismatched ideas,
0:41:10 > 0:41:12hazardous half-finished projects,
0:41:12 > 0:41:16and the chaos that only five energetic children can create.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Now, Tania's back garden is a child-safe
0:41:19 > 0:41:23and stylish sanctuary with a touch of fairy enchantment.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26In less than two days, including the worst weather
0:41:26 > 0:41:30so far this year, Danny has waved his magic wand over the clutter
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and conjured up a glorious new look.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37With no spare time to tackle her garden's disorder,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41busy mum Tania was overwhelmed by the task of starting afresh.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Now, with some clever design and courage in the face of adversity,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Danny has created a garden that the whole family can enjoy together.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Using child-friendly materials like artificial turf and rubber
0:41:54 > 0:41:57makes a safe haven that's also low-maintenance -
0:41:57 > 0:41:59a winner for any hectic household.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Plus Danny's shade sail has given valuable shelter for Tania's
0:42:03 > 0:42:06little ones, while making a stunning centrepiece for the garden.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12The patio has been transformed from a dismal attempt at decking
0:42:12 > 0:42:16into a cushioned and colourful chill-out zone for Mum and children.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20The old bench has been revitalised with a surrounding of climbers
0:42:20 > 0:42:22and a cunning visual illusion.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25And by using existing features to their full advantage,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Danny has breathed new life into the borders and used Tania's style
0:42:29 > 0:42:31to build a woodland wonderland,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34complete with some truly enchanting planting.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39So what will Tania and her tots think of their new-look garden?
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Eyes closed. Come forward a bit.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Forward a bit.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48There we go. Now you can open your eyes.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Oh! Wow!
0:42:50 > 0:42:52- What do you think?- Oh, it's lovely!
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- Do you like it?- I do, thank you! - Really?- Yeah!- Great.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Yeah, it's lovely, thank you!
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- We've put the lawn down. - Yeah! It's lovely!
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- Oh, it's going to be so safe. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- So that's nice and safe for the kids.- Yeah.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07And over there...
0:43:07 > 0:43:09- the barbecue area...- Yeah. - ..and the chimney.- Yeah.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12So that's your little area, your little patio area,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15- and at the back is your fairy grotto.- Oh, awesome!
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- All right?- I love the shade sail, yeah, that's gorgeous.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- It's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.- I noticed you've done some planting...
0:43:21 > 0:43:22- You did!- ..in there!
0:43:22 > 0:43:23- TANIA LAUGHS - Yeah!
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- And that looks fantastic, that looks absolutely brilliant.- Yeah.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27So if I've done nothing else,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31- I've encouraged you to do a bit of gardening.- You have, yeah.- Yeah?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33- And the bench?- Yeah, that looks really good, thank you.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Yeah? So we've managed to piece that together for you and get it nice and stable.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Looks good, don't it, Tilly? Look at the chair!
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Wow! What do you say? Shall we say thank you?
0:43:44 > 0:43:46Thank you, Danny!
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Say thank you!
0:43:48 > 0:43:49You're welcome!
0:43:51 > 0:43:54It's been a bit of a journey but we got there in the end, and Tania
0:43:54 > 0:43:58and the kids seem to be really enjoying their not-so-instant garden!
0:44:00 > 0:44:05Congratulations, Danny, on creating a gorgeous garden against the odds.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09Now Tania finally has a unique, child-safe space that she
0:44:09 > 0:44:11and her family can enjoy together.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Join us next time for another Instant Garden.