0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are few sights more satisfying than a beautiful garden.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07But what do you do if your outdoor space isn't quite
0:00:07 > 0:00:11so picture perfect and you are short on time?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Well, meet the Instant Gardener.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Ta-da!
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Here is 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 > 0:00:29That's the art of garden design. Delegation.
0:00:29 > 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 are floating in amongst the grasses.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'..and advice on spending wisely on a budget...'
0:00:51 > 0:00:54That's why Danny makes me bring a list. OK.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Oh, my word! This is amazing.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59'..and because he's the Instant Gardener,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03'everything you see will happen in just one day.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Oh, my gosh! That looks so much better.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Today we have come to Northampton, right in the heart of England.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23A few miles outside the town is the sleepy parish of Earls Barton.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26A lovely slice of traditional village life,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29with a history dating back to the Saxon times.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Among the ancient monuments,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33thatched roofs and sandstone cottages
0:01:33 > 0:01:37are well-kept country gardens, displayed proudly on every corner.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42This peaceful neighbourhood is the perfect place to
0:01:42 > 0:01:43bring up a young family.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We are here to meet a dedicated mum of two
0:01:46 > 0:01:49who is desperate for a gorgeous garden
0:01:49 > 0:01:51in which her kids can play out.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53But not just any old garden will do.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58DOORBELL RINGS
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- Hello.- BOTH: Hello.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- You must be Lydia.- Hello, yes.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- And Aydin.- Hello. - Lovely to meet you.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- Let's have a look at this garden then.- Come on in.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12Lydia Guclu and her husband Aydin, who grew up in Turkey,
0:02:12 > 0:02:17are the proud parents of two lively boys, Finlay and Mavi.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Younger son Mavi suffers terribly from hay fever
0:02:21 > 0:02:25so severe that just playing outside can cause uncontrollable
0:02:25 > 0:02:27sneezing and other allergic reactions
0:02:27 > 0:02:31that leave his skin cracked and bleeding.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34All too often, this has kept the whole family inside.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38But mum Lydia is desperate for her boys to get out into the
0:02:38 > 0:02:39fresh air much more.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42So she has called in the Instant Gardener to see if he can
0:02:42 > 0:02:46create a garden Mavi can play in without aggravating his allergies.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52At the moment, the garden mainly consists of a large, tired lawn
0:02:52 > 0:02:55splattered with dead patches and weeds,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58serving mainly as a safe area for the boys' trampoline.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Turf alone can be a problem for Mavi's allergies,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04so this is a bit of a no-no.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Near the house there is an uninspiring
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and slightly grubby patio, which is the only seating area
0:03:10 > 0:03:14for the family to socialise in and from which they can view the garden.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17At the end of the garden is an impressive box hedge
0:03:17 > 0:03:21which hasn't seen a pair of shears for a good few years.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24As box can cause hay fever, this could be an issue.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Other than this, there is barely a plant anywhere.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Apart from a few forlorn bulbs
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and weeds standing like soldiers around the boundary.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Let's hope Danny has got a few ideas to help all the family
0:03:36 > 0:03:39enjoy their garden without sneezing or scratching.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43It's a great space. Hey, Danny!
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- Hello, Helen.- Busy already?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- Very busy. - That's what we like to see.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Tell me about the house first
0:03:48 > 0:03:51because you've only been here a short amount of time, haven't you?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Yeah, we moved in in October, six months ago.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55It was a refurb project,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59so we have refurbed all of it, haven't we, indoors?
0:03:59 > 0:04:00- Yes.- But we ran out of money.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03So the garden had to wait.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06So you haven't done anything to the garden yet?
0:04:06 > 0:04:10Short of a bit of grass cutting and a little bit of digging,
0:04:10 > 0:04:11that's about it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14How good is that for you, then, Danny? Cos this is a blank canvas.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17That's ideal. We've got the freedom to do what we want.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So no digging out loads of bits and bobs that are going to get in
0:04:20 > 0:04:21your way, you can just get to work.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Just get to work, crack on and get it constructed.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26What would you like to see?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28I think we just want it to be really family friendly.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I think it needs to be family friendly more than anything else.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Cos we don't... I don't really have a vision, to be honest with you.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- Otherwise it wouldn't look like that.- We like to eat out here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39We like to spend time in the garden as a family.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Your family has some quite specific needs, doesn't it?
0:04:41 > 0:04:45In particular, Mavi, our youngest, he's six years old,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49he has got a lot of allergies. He has the usual hay fever but he's
0:04:49 > 0:04:52also got a dust mite allergy, a nut allergy, things like that.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54But when he comes out here and rolls around and romps
0:04:54 > 0:04:56around on the grass, his eyes water.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00He'll do probably about 100 sneezes over and over and over again.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01It wears him out.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03It sounds like Mavi's allergies are quite extreme.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Is there such a thing as a low-allergen garden
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- in which he can play? - Absolutely. Most definitely.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10And that's what we are going to attempt to create.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11We are giving you a big challenge.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13And not to put the pressure on, Danny,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16but a six-year-old's playing out time is at stake here.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Yeah, that's right. It's no problem. We will get it done.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- I trust you.- I've got a little book for you.- Thank you.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24If I can hand that to you, that's full of low-allergen plants.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28If you can go and get that for me, we will see you later.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- Let's go shopping, Lydia. - Come on, Aydin. Let's get going.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34We are splitting up Mum and Dad for the day.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Lydia is coming with me
0:05:36 > 0:05:40whilst Aydin is going to become part of Danny's team...
0:05:40 > 0:05:42along with handyman AJ
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and horticulturalist Lou.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Time for Danny to get started. So, what's the plan, Dan?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The family want a low-allergen garden.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55And at the moment, they've got a garden that is full of weeds.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58So the one thing we can do that will make a big difference is to
0:05:58 > 0:06:01reduce the turf, the amount of turf that is in the garden.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04What we are going to do is have three concentric circles.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06We are going to have a large lawn circle here.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09We are going to have a circular gravel area
0:06:09 > 0:06:11interlocking into the circular lawn.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And at the back, we are going to have a circular play area.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Around the first circle I'm just going to have a normal crisp edge.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21But for the other two circles, the gravel circle
0:06:21 > 0:06:24and the child's play area, I'm going
0:06:24 > 0:06:26to edge it in my lovely flexible friend,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28which is the aluminium edging.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31The bits that aren't circled, that's where the plants are going to be.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34By doing that, we are bringing the plants into the garden.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37They are not going to be stuck round the edges.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40The most exciting part of this garden is this lovely box hedge.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43And look at the condition of it. Absolutely wonderful.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47It could do with a trim. It's been neglected for some time.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50But I'm not going to trim it at the moment
0:06:50 > 0:06:52because it is the wrong time of year.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55You really want to be trimming it after the last frost.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57We've got a patio here so that's fine.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Once it's been cleaned and de-weeded,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02it's going to really look absolutely fine.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05There is a hell of a lot to do in this garden.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The clock is really ticking. So we had better get going.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Too right, Danny. We've got just eight hours to get all of this done.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15And the weather is looking changeable
0:07:15 > 0:07:16so there is no time to waste.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Danny's first job is to mark out those circles.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Ably assisted by man of the house Aydin and his trusty handyman AJ.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28His toolkit consists of a ball of twine, some marker paint
0:07:28 > 0:07:32and a stick to position in the very middle of the circle.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- Aydin, this is my central point.- Yep.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39For the first circle. If you roll that out for me. Keep going.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Keep going. Keep going.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Just sweep this round like this.- OK.
0:07:47 > 0:07:53As you can see, we are getting a nice, perfect circle. There we are.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58The duo have clearly and cleanly marked out the first circle.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Now onto the second.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And then the third.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03This time, Aydin is going to give it a go.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I'm just going to go round in circles, that's about it.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Go round in circles, yeah.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Slowly, slowly. Don't go quickly.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I can't move as quickly as you.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Is that's all right or...? - Yeah, absolutely fine.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18The only worry for me
0:08:18 > 0:08:21is that I might be stuck in this position permanently now.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- DANNY LAUGHS - Whoa!
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Low and slow.- Yep.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30That's it, that's it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Whilst Danny, AJ and Aydin run rings around each other,
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I've whisked Lydia off for a visit to Kelmarsh Hall.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41A local stately home, built in the 1730s
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and famed for its gardens.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47We've come here because I've learned there is someone who can help us
0:08:47 > 0:08:50research the type of plants that will be safe to
0:08:50 > 0:08:53choose for the family's new low-allergen garden.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57This is Kelmarsh Hall, Lydia. What do you make of it?
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's beautiful. It's lovely.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It certainly is stunning.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Dating back to the 18th century, the gardens at Kelmarsh are listed
0:09:08 > 0:09:11as Grade II star by English Heritage.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Which means they are gardens of national significance.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18It's clear that a lot of love and care goes into keeping them
0:09:18 > 0:09:19looking spectacular.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- You look a little bit scared. - Lot of maintenance, isn't it?
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- THEY LAUGH - There is a lot of maintenance.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29Don't worry, we are
0:09:29 > 0:09:32not going to create something as extensive as this.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34But we can learn a lot about low-allergen plants.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35Let's go meet Sam.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I've arranged to meet Sam Bailey
0:09:43 > 0:09:46who is the junior gardener here.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Sam's grandmother also has a lot of allergies.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51So he has made it a bit of a personal mission
0:09:51 > 0:09:53to know what is safe
0:09:53 > 0:09:55and what can really aggravate.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58So, the perfect person to give Lydia some advice.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Hello, Sam.- Hi.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Good to see you.- Good to see you.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Sorry to interrupt. This is Lydia. - Hiya.- Pleased to meet you.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- Are you all right? - Sam, take us through the basics.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12What is the difference between a low-allergen
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- and a high-allergen plant? - It all comes down to the pollen.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19It comes down to the size of the pollen, and how it is dispersed.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24We have this oak tree here. The pollen is spread by the wind.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Then here we have a tulip,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28which is pollinated by insects.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31The difference being, the pollen is quite heavy
0:10:31 > 0:10:32and the flowers are blousy.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35So the pollen isn't airborne for long.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Whereas with this oak tree, the pollen is quite small
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and when it is blowing in the wind
0:10:39 > 0:10:41it aggravates the immune system.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42Presumably Mavi's hay fever
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and allergies are going to be triggered more by airborne pollen.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47That's because it's small
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and it's more likely to get into the nasal passage.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- Is that surprising news to you? - It is.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I didn't think I would be able to have a flowery garden cos
0:10:54 > 0:10:58I would have thought the pollen that you can see would have been worse.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Have you ever had a flowery garden?
0:11:00 > 0:11:01No, never had a flowery garden.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Go for your big blousy flowers.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05I like big blousy flowers.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Well, you are in luck. Sam says you can have them.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Excellent.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11At the minute, Lydia's garden has quite a lot of lawn.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14How much of a problem is that for someone with allergies?
0:11:14 > 0:11:15It can be a bit of a problem.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Because lawn can gather dust and it can gather pollen from other plants.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22And also, when the lawn flowers, grass is wind pollinated
0:11:22 > 0:11:26so the pollen is likely to cause allergies.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29If you have a lawn, I would recommend cutting it once a week.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I never knew that.- There you go, you can see that to Aydin now.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33You've got to get out there and cut it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- You have some of that kind of hedge, some box hedge in your garden.- Yeah.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40What about that? Is that going to cause many problems for Mavi?
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Box is pollinated by insects but it does produce a lot of pollen
0:11:44 > 0:11:46if you brush past it.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48The trick is to keep it well maintained.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52If you cut it when you are meant to, you don't have these flowers.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Whilst Lydia and I carry on with our research,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01back at the house a secret weapon has just arrived.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05In the shape of Lydia's mum, Mel.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Hiya.- Hello, Mel. - Hiya, how are you doing?
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Hello.- Hello.- This is Danny. - How are you?
0:12:09 > 0:12:11- I'm fine, thank you. How are you? - Good to meet you.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13She's into a bit of gardening herself.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Are you into gardening yourself? - Yeah.- Really?- Yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- I've got just the job for you, then.- Lovely.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20If you could just jet-wash this patio for me
0:12:20 > 0:12:21it would be great.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Pressure washing is one of the quickest
0:12:26 > 0:12:28and easiest ways to bring a patio back to life.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33Just look how much grime it clears away with, frankly, minimal effort.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37You can rent a pressure washer from your local hire shop
0:12:37 > 0:12:39for between £25 and £65 a day.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Depending on what size you choose.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44I'm impressed.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46It's keeping her quiet for a while, isn't it?
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Yeah.- Which can't be such a bad thing.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- Oh, no, that's... - HE LAUGHS
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Teasing someone in charge of a pressure washer?
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Dangerous move, Danny.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Go and do some work.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59She's pointing that at us, we should go and do some work.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Otherwise it might go off. Come on, let's get going.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Joking aside, pressure washers can be dangerous,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10so should never be aimed at other people.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Meanwhile, back at Kelmarsh Hall, Lydia and I are picking Sam's
0:13:18 > 0:13:23brains about the kind of plants he recommends for allergy sufferers.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Would these be good in the garden for someone like Mavi?
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Yep. Lamprocapnos. It's got very colourful flowers.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31The stamen is hidden inside this flower.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33So it's very unlikely the pollen is going to come out.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Because the stamen is hidden, that's another hypoallergenic plant?
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Yeah, yeah.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41What else would be good in the garden for Lydia to look at
0:13:41 > 0:13:44and less likely perhaps to aggravate Mavi's allergies?
0:13:44 > 0:13:46You can have cherries with lovely double flowers
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and apple blossom because the pollen is heavier.
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Again, that's really surprised me
0:13:50 > 0:13:53cos I'd have thought cherry blossom and apple blossom,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55with them being so colourful and flowery and showy,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59they would be a nightmare for hay fever sufferers. But no.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Similar to cut flowers. We have some roses just here.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It's a bit early for the rose here be in bloom
0:14:05 > 0:14:07but these are ones that you've got for us.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08Yeah, yeah. Just to show you.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10The flowers are double
0:14:10 > 0:14:12so the pollen will struggle to get out of there anyway.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16The pollen is quite heavy and it's less likely to be airborne for long.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Thank you very much, Sam. - You are welcome.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- Thank you.- Can we...? - Of course you can.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I thought he'd never ask. Thanks.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Sam clearly knows his stuff when it comes to low-allergen planting
0:14:31 > 0:14:33and how to maintain your garden.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37If you or a member of your family suffer from allergies,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40here are some tips to take away from Sam's brilliant advice.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46A lawn can give off a lot of pollen and collect dust.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50But you can reduce this by mowing the lawn regularly.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51Ideally, once a week.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Remember, big, blousy flowers
0:14:55 > 0:14:57don't automatically mean that their
0:14:57 > 0:15:00pollen is going to be problematic.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Plants pollinated by insects have heavier pollen
0:15:03 > 0:15:06that remains with the flower head until it is collected.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's the plants whose pollen is airborne that you need to
0:15:10 > 0:15:13avoid too much contact with.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Airborne pollen is smaller and lighter
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and more likely to be breathed in.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Ask at your local garden centre for help identifying the different
0:15:22 > 0:15:24types of plants.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Alternatively, lists of plants suitable for specific
0:15:27 > 0:15:31allergies can be found in an internet search.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Back at the house, with two hours already used up,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45Danny and Aydin's next job is to remove the excess turf.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47We've hired a turf cutter for the day,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49which will take up the bulk of it.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51But the edges will need to be done by hand.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54The way to do that is...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Just do that. Nice straight line down.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- OK.- But keep this as upright as possible.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- And we will try and do a nice neat edge following the line.- OK.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Because there is such a big area, we are going to use this turf cutter.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- OK.- That is going to be AJ's job.- Yeah.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- While we carry on with the edging. - OK.- OK?
0:16:16 > 0:16:17First time.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23But Danny has noticed some discoloured patches of lawn
0:16:23 > 0:16:26that are inside the circle they do want to keep.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Aydin, what has happened here, mate?
0:16:30 > 0:16:33What's happened with these patches, do you know? Any idea?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Lydia had the great idea of using weedkiller.- Right.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- And she killed the grass. - OK, it's not the end of the world.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43I mean, it doesn't look brilliant, as you know. As you can see.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46What we are going to do, we are going to save a few bits of turf
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and we are going to do a repair job within that circle.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Yeah, that's a good idea. - So all is not lost.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- Cos I'm a big fan of reusing stuff. - Recycling.- Yeah, recycling staff.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Recycling grass... That's...first I've heard of it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00THEY LAUGH
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Can you crack on and do something?
0:17:02 > 0:17:03- I will.- You know?
0:17:03 > 0:17:05It's all great having these little white circles
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- but we need to dig them out. - We need to crack on.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Get working otherwise this garden is never going to get done.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15You do need to crack on! Less hugging and more working.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Reducing the size of the garden's lawn will lessen its capacity to
0:17:19 > 0:17:22aggravate Mavi's allergies.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25But Danny's plan will reduce the turf without compromising
0:17:25 > 0:17:28the children's safe play area.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31With six hours left, let's see how they are getting on.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Aydin, now the turf has been lifted
0:17:33 > 0:17:36we've got to mark out the circles, re-mark them.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37- OK?- OK.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40With all the excess turf now lifted,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44the circles are marked out for the final time.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46This bit is where the shingle is going to go.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48And that is the kiddies play area.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51I'm amazed at the amount of work we have got through.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55And I would like to think that we are ahead of schedule.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57But this could be famous last words.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01I like your confidence, Danny, but probably best not to speak too soon.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06The next stage of the transformation is to line the circles with
0:18:06 > 0:18:08this fabulously bendy edging.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12This is lawn edging, aluminium lawn edging.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14What it does, it retains the shape of the lawn.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17But it also will contain the gravel that's here,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19so it works on both counts.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23And we will also use it to contain the rubber chippings
0:18:23 > 0:18:25that will go in the kiddies area.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Anyway, I've got a bone to pick with you.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- Aydin.- All right? - Why is your name spelt with an A?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34If it's 'Eyeden'? That doesn't make sense. Come on, clever clogs.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Come on.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Answer that one.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40It's because it's Turkish.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Good answer.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Won me over.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46THEY LAUGH
0:18:46 > 0:18:50While the boys bicker over vowel sounds in the garden,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54I'm taking the time to chat to Lydia about how her youngest son's
0:18:54 > 0:18:59allergies have affected not just him but the whole family.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03So, Lydia, tell me about Mavi's allergies
0:19:03 > 0:19:06because we are not just talking about a few sneezes here, are we?
0:19:06 > 0:19:13No. No, it started off as what I thought was dry skin. Eczema.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16And it just escalated.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19You know, when you have a baby and they have that peely skin
0:19:19 > 0:19:23when they are first-born, it just went from there.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25We tried all these creams and lotions
0:19:25 > 0:19:27and it just seemed to be getting worse as he got older.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29How bad was it?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32At the worst, it was at the point where in the morning
0:19:32 > 0:19:35he would wake up and stretch and it would just crack,
0:19:35 > 0:19:40his arms would crack, his legs would crack and it would bleed.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45He'd wake up in the night sometimes crying that he was sore.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Day in, day out, it's quite debilitating, isn't it?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50As long as his medication is maintained
0:19:50 > 0:19:53so he has various amounts of antihistamine
0:19:53 > 0:19:55and medication throughout the day,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59and he has three lots of creams applied to him throughout the day.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02As long as that is maintained and nothing is missed,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05at the moment, everything is really tight.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08What difference would a nice garden in which Mavi
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and Finlay can play out together make to your family?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14The whole outdoor living, you know,
0:20:14 > 0:20:19I don't want my boys to grow up on computers and stuck indoors.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20I want them to be outside.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24A low-allergen garden could freely provide a space for your family
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and maybe give you a bit of family time perhaps?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Yeah, we've never had it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32We have our dinners outside, we have our barbecue outside,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34but as soon as that's over, we're in.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Fingers crossed.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40It's clear Mavi's condition has really affected the whole family.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43So this garden is going to be key to giving them
0:20:43 > 0:20:46some special time together.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Back at the garden, Danny, along with Lydia's mum, Mel,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53are dealing with the section of lawn that has been damaged by weedkiller.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57One of the things that I have noticed is that your daughter,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I think, believes in scorched earth policy.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- She doesn't like the weeds. - She doesn't like weeds. OK then.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Earlier on, as you know, we lifted the turf with the turf cutter.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- Mm-hm.- And we've left some rolls to one side in anticipation of
0:21:10 > 0:21:12repairing this lawn.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14What I'm going to do is
0:21:14 > 0:21:16roll out a piece to cover the area.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Doesn't have to be exact.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22Just cut down like this. You don't have to go down too far.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25It doesn't have to be exactly square or anything like that.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Just take away the residue.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31And you'll see that if I tip that,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34that's the shape of what I'm going to put in its place.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36So we now need to dig this out.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Like this.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41A bit out. If we go down too far
0:21:41 > 0:21:43it's not the end of the world.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45We can always build it up again.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Then you'll see. We will do a little dummy run.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50And that should fit in beautifully there.
0:21:50 > 0:21:51And just...
0:21:53 > 0:21:54Pat it down.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57One repaired piece of lawn.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58Yeah, excellent.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00But there is a problem,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Danny has noticed quite a few dandelions hiding amongst the turf.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07These are the really bad news for Mavi's allergies.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10The dandelion things that are floating about in the air,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13they just bring it... His eyes come up first.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15They swell and then they stream.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Rolling on the grass isn't a good one either.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22But Weedkiller Danny has a tried and tested tip for removing
0:22:22 > 0:22:25dandelions and other weeds from your lawn.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28It's useful to know whether you have allergies or not.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31As you can see, we've got some dandelion here.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34These weeds are high in airborne pollen.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Like flowers, flowers have pollen. Weeds have pollen.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40These are perennial weeds which means they come back year after year.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43To stop them coming back, we need to dig up the roots as well.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47If we leave a fraction of the root in there, those weeds will regrow.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Mm-hm.- The way I would do this would be to get a fork...
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Just dig down, like this. As far as you can go.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58Then just gently lift the turf, like this.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Then in fact you are going to lift out the whole thing.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04There it is.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07And just free it.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14It doesn't matter if you make a mess of the turf.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Cos it will fit back in.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Like this. And just stamp it down. And away you go.- OK.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Only another million to do.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Meanwhile, AJ and Aydin are getting stuck in creating a trench
0:23:27 > 0:23:31to sink that lovely bendy aluminium edging into.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Step on it, guys. Only four hours left, you know.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38All right, the trenches. We've made the circle of the edging here.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42We are just digging so it will go down into the ground slightly.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45It will give a bit of stability as well as the pegs.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47But then we can also get the height once again
0:23:47 > 0:23:50so it's not too high to be a tripping hazard.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Do you need this side deeper than that side?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Cos it's quite high, isn't it?
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Do you needed it levelled out a little?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Do you know what, we can then just dig a little bit lower on
0:23:58 > 0:24:02certain areas, maybe raise it there just to get it as level as possible.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07The trench here is not being dug for some reason.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09THEY LAUGH
0:24:11 > 0:24:14This is a great way to recycle, isn't it, Mel?
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Definitely. - So we waste as little as possible.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22There is no magic science to it. If you just keep a rhythm going.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Then it doesn't seem like work, does it?
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Gardening shouldn't be work. It should be fun.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- It should be fun.- Yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It's fun, isn't it, Aydin?
0:24:31 > 0:24:32I love it(!)
0:24:32 > 0:24:33Yeah? You enjoying it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Yeah, awesome(!) - I thought you were.- Yeah.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Patience is definitely a virtue.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Meanwhile, Lydia and I have arrived at a local garden centre to
0:24:43 > 0:24:46work through the shopping list Danny gave us earlier.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50It's an Instant Gardener rule that you should always go shopping
0:24:50 > 0:24:52equipped with a list.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Over £5 billion a year are spent in garden centres,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59and it's wise to know what you want before you walk in the door
0:24:59 > 0:25:01so you don't waste money on plants
0:25:01 > 0:25:03that aren't suitable for your garden.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Danny has asked us for some specific low-allergen plants.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Not that we've got a clue what any of them are.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Right, Lydia, what is on our list?
0:25:12 > 0:25:13We are looking for...
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Campanula?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21How do you feel about the kind of colours and flowers?
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Is this the kind of scene you would like to see in your garden?
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Yeah, it's lovely. It's really nice. I wouldn't have touched them before.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Why do you say it like that?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32"Oh, it's lovely." Because you would feel guilty about having them?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Yeah, because I just think the pollen is bad for Mavi.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38But you can have flowering plants in your garden without causing him
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- too much distress.- Yeah.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Let's have a look for those.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Hello, guys.- Hello!
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Yes, we do need some help.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49We are after some plants that would sit well in a low-allergen
0:25:49 > 0:25:53garden because Lydia's son has some quite severe allergies.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- Just down here we have a Campanula. - Which is on our list.- OK.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Which have bell-shaped flowers. - Right.- And heavy pollen.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So that's going to be flowery as well once it all grows?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Very flowery. They also come in blue, there is pink and there is white.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08It says on there, "Perfect for pollinators."
0:26:08 > 0:26:11So that backs up the point, doesn't it, that this isn't airborne pollen?
0:26:11 > 0:26:12That's correct, yes.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15It's slightly heavier pollen for the bees to go and collect.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- OK, brilliant. Let's have one of those.- Yeah.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20As long as Mavi is not rolling around in it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23We have foxglove, Digitalis.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27This one is primrose carousel. Also with the bell-shaped flowers.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29This one I would certainly recommend to you.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- That looks gorgeous. - That looks really lovely.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Have a look at the double rose.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37OK? As you can see again, we've got this little signature on there.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41"Good for honeybees." So we have a heavier pollen inside the flower.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45And the pollen is just hidden inside there as well, so it's not airborne.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It's not floating around in the atmosphere.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- OK, let's definitely have one of those then.- Yeah.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I feel like you've been let at the chocolate box for the first
0:26:52 > 0:26:55time ever because would you have ever dared put these
0:26:55 > 0:26:57kind of plants in your garden before?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00No. Definitely not. I would have gone all green.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Presumably Mavi can put them in himself, can't he?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05These aren't going to cause him much problem?
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Absolutely. And why not?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09The rose, clearly you'd be careful because of the spikes,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I wouldn't recommend he do that one, but the other two,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- the Campanula and Digitalis, for sure.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Absolutely.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19I couldn't imagine my children not doing this
0:27:19 > 0:27:20because they love gardening.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23And it would be nice for Mavi to be able to do the same.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26It's lovely how when you talk about your children and the garden,
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- a big smile comes on your face. - Yeah.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Yeah.- Do you want that? - I'd love that. I'd love to do that.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Mavi has just done a little sunflower on the windowsill,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37he doesn't... He wouldn't be planting.
0:27:37 > 0:27:38He might be from now on.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Yeah, that would be lovely.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43While Lydia dreams of a whole new garden
0:27:43 > 0:27:48experience for Mavi, Danny's taking stock of what's still left to do.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Only three hours left, Mr Clarke. You need to get a wriggle on.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55We've still got to do the kiddies area.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56That's the circular area over there.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59And we've got to put the membrane down
0:27:59 > 0:28:00and then put the material on top.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03And we've still got this area in the centre,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05the circular area in the centre to do.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Which is going to be gravelled.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10As you know, this area is another seating area. It's a patio area.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13And I'm going to do the favourite bit, get on with the planting.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17And the first thing that is going to go in are three trees.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- Do you want us to do that now? - Yeah, lay it down.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24But the first challenge is simply getting them in the garden.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Just to put down. Oh, my word!
0:28:26 > 0:28:27Don't mind me, boys.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29In your own time.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31Yeah, that's it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37That's it. Just here. That's it. It's lovely.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Where do you want this one then?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Don't overdo it, mate.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46That's what I like to see. People at work.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49That the art of garden design, delegation.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52What's AJ got left to do, I wonder. Well, we've got...
0:28:52 > 0:28:54HE LAUGHS
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Oh, sorry.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Before the gravel and the rubber chippings can go down, there is
0:28:59 > 0:29:02one crucial job left to do.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Putting down a layer of membrane
0:29:04 > 0:29:05which acts as yet another
0:29:05 > 0:29:07layer of defence.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10The great thing about this membrane
0:29:10 > 0:29:13is that it is full of tiny perforations
0:29:13 > 0:29:17which allow the water to come through and stop the weeds coming up.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20As the ground covering for the kids' play area,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Danny has chosen these rubber chippings.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26A great choice for a low-allergen garden.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28And with the weather looking iffy,
0:29:28 > 0:29:30it's really time to get those spread.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Now we've got these lovely blue chippings.- Yeah.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37And what's great about these, these are good for you and your children
0:29:37 > 0:29:41because, unlike bark chips, these have got no fungal spores in it.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44They are made from recycled forklift tyres.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47The reason they use forklift tyres is
0:29:47 > 0:29:50because they haven't got bits of metal in the rubber.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Why are they blue?- Why?- Yeah.- What do you mean, "Why are they blue?"
0:29:53 > 0:29:56I mean, how... I mean, rubber is normally black, right?
0:29:56 > 0:29:57They've coloured it.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59It was probably black but they have coloured it.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- I see, OK. It's not just blue... - Just for you.
0:30:02 > 0:30:03- GIGGLING:- Just for me?
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Just for you.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07You can just rip it and pour it out? Is that what you do?
0:30:07 > 0:30:11What's really good about this rubber stuff is that when they land on
0:30:11 > 0:30:16this, it's going to be a lot better than hard soil or even grass really.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20He's going to do wrestling on it anyway, so he will love it.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25These rubber chippings not only look good, they feel good too.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Back at the garden centre,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Mike has got even more suggestions for the kinds of plants anyone
0:30:32 > 0:30:35with allergies might want to consider for their garden.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Remember, it's always worth asking members of staff
0:30:39 > 0:30:41or even your fellow customers for advice.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44You can never get enough gardening tips.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- We have some begonias.- Right.- OK.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52You can see inside there...nice heavy pollen.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54OK?
0:30:54 > 0:30:57And we have some geraniums, which are ideal for the garden.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01As you can see,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04there's an array of plants that you can use
0:31:04 > 0:31:08in the garden with Mavi that are low-allergen.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11We have got two big pots as well that we need to fill.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Is there anything that you would recommend to give a little
0:31:14 > 0:31:15bit of structure?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- We'd also look at Cordyline.- OK.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20- Ah.- Let's put the Cordyline in.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21That's nice.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- Thank you for your help, Mike. - You are most welcome.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- OK, let's take these to the checkout.- Thank you.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- And your reassurance.- Yeah. Thanks.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35We have everything on Danny's list,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38plus a couple of Cordylines for Lydia's planters
0:31:38 > 0:31:40on her new sparkly patio.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Back in the garden, it's time to start planting up and Danny
0:31:44 > 0:31:49and plantswoman Lou, as always, have a plan to stick to.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Lou and I are putting the big plants in position.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's always best to put the big plants in first.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00And then work downwards with the medium-sized plants
0:32:00 > 0:32:02and under planting with the smaller ones.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05If you can get that right, they give you height.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07So if you get those right,
0:32:07 > 0:32:10then everything else will naturally follow.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Shall I start placing things where I think and then we can...
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- Yeah, and I'll start digging holes for these.- Right.- How's that?
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- OK, that's a plan.- Great idea.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24I've got this beautiful Amelanchier here.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28This Amelanchier likes full sun or half sun.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31And it flowers April-May time.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35I'm going to dig a hole nearly twice the size of the root ball.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39The common sort of thinking, or used to be, to dig a circular hole.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41But I'm going to dig a square hole.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44The reason being, I don't want the roots to keep going round
0:32:44 > 0:32:47and round and round. I want them to find their own way.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Come on, Danny, it's time to get down and dirty.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57This soil has been really well-prepared.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Which makes it a lot easier to dig.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02I don't go to the gym. I don't need to. This is my gym.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07This is my gym and this is my office. And I'm with wonderful people.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08How good is that?
0:33:14 > 0:33:18I would suggest you keep it well watered for the first three or
0:33:18 > 0:33:21four years of its life. It's very, very important.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But once you do that, it will find its own way.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Its roots will go out and look after itself.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34There is a little bit of compost in the pot.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I'm going to use this to mixed in with the soil that was in the hole.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Just turn the compost into the soil like this.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50An absolutely beautiful tree and it flowers April-May time.
0:33:54 > 0:33:55My pants are falling down.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59HE CHUCKLES
0:34:00 > 0:34:03One tree down, two to go.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06This tree is an Acer palmatum.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Absolutely gorgeous.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12At this time of year, it's this kind of lovely green.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16But this will turn red in the autumn.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Very, very showy tree. Absolutely gorgeous.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20The most important thing with this
0:34:20 > 0:34:23though is to put it in a fairly sheltered area.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25But it should be absolutely fine by this fence.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28But what I would do is keep an eye on it.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33If it does struggle for any reason, um, it might be an idea to move it.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Now, being green fingered is all about observation.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Walk around your garden at regular intervals,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42look and see how your plants are doing.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45If they are starting to wilt a bit,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48it will either be they need water or they'll need feeding.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Bit like human beings.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Look at your plants. Try and develop a relationship with them.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Cos they will tell you what they need.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01Does anyone know the time?
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I think we are doing absolutely fine.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Doesn't get dark till midnight, does it?
0:35:05 > 0:35:09You know, I doubt Lydia and the boys will be awake at midnight.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12We really need to get this garden finished pronto.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Hopefully an extra pair of hands will help.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Oh, my word! This is a different place!
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- Danny!- Hello, Helen.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- You have been busy! - We have been busy.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- I have been busy shopping.- Let me take those from you.- As always.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Do you know what, I thought these might look quite nice in the pots.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- Yep.- And it is a bit of a nod to the Mediterranean
0:35:33 > 0:35:34because of Aydin's heritage.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Absolutely. Yeah, we've got a few nods to the Mediterranean
0:35:38 > 0:35:39- going on today.- Oh, good!
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- I'll crack on with these.- OK.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45There you go. Better get cracking. Got loads of work to do.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49But my efforts are nothing compared to Danny's incredible
0:35:49 > 0:35:51choice of plants.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Helped, of course, by horticulturalist Lou.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56She is getting really excited.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59- Look!- Oh, yeah. It's absolutely... Look at this.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Look at the way this purple Heuchera...
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Look at the way it picks up on the purple edge.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05What a great combination.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06I think it's fantastic.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Of course, when you've got these sorts of shapes you need that
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- sort of punctuation to fill the corner, don't you?- Sure.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Yeah, it's great. And I love the colours.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17The way this colour, this purple
0:36:17 > 0:36:20picks up on the purple edge of this leaf.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Isn't that fantastic? And also the blue.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Look how it stands out against the blue rubber chippings.- Beautiful.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27I think it's absolutely perfect.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30The other name for Phormium is New Zealand flax.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33These come in two different varieties.
0:36:33 > 0:36:34You get the softer leafed one
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and the more spiky, more rigid one.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41The reason we've got a soft-leafed phormium round this play area -
0:36:41 > 0:36:44if you have a spiky one it's not going to be very child friendly.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46So we felt this would be a better choice.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Now, you've got to be very careful
0:36:48 > 0:36:51because you could be kneeling down in the garden
0:36:51 > 0:36:54and you can easily poke yourself in the eye with one of these.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55So it's best to have a softer one.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59It's all hands on deck.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03AJ gives the rubber chips a thorough raking to break up any lumps
0:37:03 > 0:37:07while Lou and Mel are cracking on with all that planting.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11But there is a long way to go. And I'm doing my bit to help.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13OK, I've run out of compost.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18So do not...tell Lou or Danny.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Because I'm not supposed to do this.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29Helped. Done it.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Well, sometimes needs must.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36With the other planting and landscaping still unfinished,
0:37:36 > 0:37:41the moment comes to crown the new play area with the boys' trampoline.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Centralise it.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46I love this stuff, Danny. This is so perfect.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48It's great, isn't it? Absolutely brilliant.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51And what's great about it though, no spores.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55So kids can roll around in it and it's ideal for a low-allergen garden.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Lydia was joking that Mavi likes to roll around in the garden.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- He can roll around in this.- Yeah, definitely, to his heart's content.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Mavi is going to absolutely love it.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08And so is Lydia when she sees some of the plants Danny has chosen.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11What have we got here?
0:38:11 > 0:38:15We've got a Brunnera here. This, again, is a low-allergen plant.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Look at those lovely blue delicate flowers.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22I think Lydia was worried that she was going to put
0:38:22 > 0:38:25things in the garden that would then cause Mavi loads of problems.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28And she was worried that she would have to have a boring garden.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Cos she didn't think she could have flowers.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Yeah, it's just goes to show, you don't need to have a boring garden.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36You can find plants to suit any situation.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38There are so many different varieties out there.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41She talks so much about Mavi and his needs,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and obviously his allergies are quite severe, but I suspect
0:38:44 > 0:38:48this would be really nice for Lydia to have a place to relax and enjoy.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Exactly.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55There is only ten minutes left before Lydia gets home.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57One last push, team!
0:39:01 > 0:39:04The foxglove can go here.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- I love that! - Yeah, it's going to go here.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Is it difficult to look after?
0:39:10 > 0:39:12What, foxgloves? No. They are easy.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15I tell you what, they are great for bees. You know the little flower?
0:39:15 > 0:39:17- Yeah.- Nice landing pad for the bees.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21And that comes back to what we were saying about them -
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- no airborne pollen.- Exactly.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26How are you feeling? Are you worried that she's going to like it?
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Well, as a garden designer, you are always worried
0:39:29 > 0:39:32if people are going to like it or not. That's a natural reaction.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36You want people to like your work. So fingers crossed she will like it.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38There's not much time for those nerves to kick him
0:39:38 > 0:39:40because they are going to be here in five minutes.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Right, I'll get that Campanula in.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47As Aydin mops up the mud that's been trodden under the patio
0:39:47 > 0:39:49since its first jet wash, there is
0:39:49 > 0:39:52just time for the final touches before Lydia's return.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Ah...
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Oh, lovely.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09Before, the garden had little more to offer than a bare,
0:40:09 > 0:40:14plain lawn dotted with scars and infested with dandelions and weeds.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18The odd plant stood forlornly around the edges.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23And a grubby patio provided the only space for family time together.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28But in a few daylight hours, Danny has transformed it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33First of all, he has reduced the lawn which, mended and de-weeded,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36provides the first circular area
0:40:36 > 0:40:39of this exciting contemporary design.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42In the middle is a gravel circle,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44intended as a second sitting area.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49And at the end of the garden is the kids' play circle,
0:40:49 > 0:40:53colourful and with no danger of aggravating allergens.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57The patio has been cleaned and refreshed.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59The perfect outdoor dining area.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05But the piece de resistance must be Danny's fabulous planting,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08creating a beautiful and colourful sanctuary,
0:41:08 > 0:41:12made all the more special by knowing it's full of low-allergen plants
0:41:12 > 0:41:16that Mavi and his mum can enjoy worry-free.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22The unloved barren space has been transformed into an exciting
0:41:22 > 0:41:25and elegantly-designed paradise.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Where reduced risk of pollen has meant no reduction
0:41:28 > 0:41:31in style and beauty.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36What an amazing difference in just one day. Danny, I salute you.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39But now for the moment of truth.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43What will Lydia and the boys make of all the hard work?
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Here we go. This is your new garden.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Oh, my God! Look at it! Whoa.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- What do you think? - Oh, my gosh!- It's amazing.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Look at the blue under the trampoline, boys!
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Is that a good "amazing?"
0:42:03 > 0:42:05- Yes.- Oh, my gosh!
0:42:05 > 0:42:09Oh, my gosh! It looks so different.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Lydia, all of the plants here are low-allergen
0:42:13 > 0:42:16so they are not going to aggravate Mavi's allergies.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19You can come out here, you can play out here, you can
0:42:19 > 0:42:22use your patio, you can have some family time.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24You can be out here for ages now, Finlay.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!
0:42:26 > 0:42:27Look at it!
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Mavi, look at your trampoline! It's got a blue... Oh, my gosh!
0:42:31 > 0:42:32Look at all the plants!
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Oh, my gosh! It looks so different.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42And it looks like Mavi for one can't wait any longer to try it out.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44That's just brilliant!
0:42:44 > 0:42:49You were a little bit worried about having so many flowers and plants
0:42:49 > 0:42:52in the garden because you didn't want it to cause problems for Mavi.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- No.- He's clearly very happy already. - Yeah.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57But rest assured, these plants are not going to cause him
0:42:57 > 0:43:00- any problems, are they? - No. They are all low-allergen plants.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05- Oh, my gosh!- Low in pollen so they won't be a problem for the kids.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- Thank you. Thank you so much. - That's OK. My pleasure.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11I don't know your brother that well. Is that a sign that he's happy?
0:43:11 > 0:43:13- Yes.- Do you want to go and join him?
0:43:13 > 0:43:15- OK.- Go on. Go on.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18Oh, my gosh! That's so lovely. Look at it.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- Thank you so much. - It's an absolute pleasure.- Thank you.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- Absolute pleasure.- It's lovely.
0:43:27 > 0:43:28That's lovely!
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Look at it. Look at all the plants.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33They are so nice.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37You wanted a space for your family. I think they seem quite happy.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39- LAUGHING:- Yeah.
0:43:39 > 0:43:43- Yeah.- You did really well. - Thank you. You too.- Cheers.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46- Thank you so much, everybody. - Congratulations.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49I hope you enjoy this new family space.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52- This is your new instant garden. - Thank you.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Come on, go and have a look.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57It has certainly got the boys' seal of approval.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01Danny and the team have created a play-safe,
0:44:01 > 0:44:03sneeze-free instant garden
0:44:03 > 0:44:07packed with gorgeous low-allergen plants that will get the boys
0:44:07 > 0:44:09away from their computers
0:44:09 > 0:44:14and allow the whole family to spend a lot more time outside together.