0:00:02 > 0:00:04There are a few sites 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're short on time?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Well, meet the Instant Gardener.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Ta-da!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Danny 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 > 0:00:40To help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It doesn't 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 > 0:00:51'..and advice on spending wisely on a budget.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:53That's why Danny makes me bring a list!
0:00:53 > 0:00:54OK.
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 > 0:01:05Oh, my gosh!
0:01:05 > 0:01:06That looks so much better.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16This time we've come to Manchester, one of Britain's biggest
0:01:16 > 0:01:18and most vibrant cities
0:01:18 > 0:01:20with more than half a million residents.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Located in the northwest of England, Manchester has
0:01:23 > 0:01:25a rich industrial heritage
0:01:25 > 0:01:29and is the third most-visited city in the UK by overseas tourists.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33The garden we're visiting today is slightly neglected
0:01:33 > 0:01:36but its Manchester-based owners are fun loving
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and want a space they can enjoy.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Let's help them make an instant improvement.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- Hello!- Hello!- You must be Shirley.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- I am. You must Helen. - Good to meet you.- Great to meet you.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Charity worker and Doctor Who fan Shirley Proctor
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and her husband, Kev, have recently downsized
0:02:02 > 0:02:04from a house to a bungalow.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Shirley could no longer manage the stairs as she suffers from ME,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09or chronic fatigue syndrome.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Joint pain, headaches and dizziness are just a few of its symptoms.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16It took them years to get their previous garden just how
0:02:16 > 0:02:19they wanted it, but with the progression of her illness
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and her energy levels at an all-time low,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Shirley has decided there is only one thing for it,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27to call in The Instant Gardener.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Shirley is unable to do any physical work, which means
0:02:34 > 0:02:36she can't really do much in her garden.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39In fact, she hasn't really made a start.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42The old deck leading out of the house is a bit faded
0:02:42 > 0:02:43and in need of a reviving
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and the central lawn is tatty and neglected.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48There is also a giant Leyland cypress
0:02:48 > 0:02:50which Shirley can't stand.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53It dominates the garden and creates deep and dry shade.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55But the garden does have potential
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and Danny is hoping to get some ideas from the owners themselves.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- Danny!- Hello, Helen. How are you?- I'm good.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Hiya, how are you?- Good, thank you.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- So how long have you guys been in this house?- Six months today.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10And what was the motivation behind the move?
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Cos you've been in your old place for nearly 30 years.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Yes, we had. It was Kev's idea and I got really cross
0:03:16 > 0:03:18when he suggested we move to a bungalow,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21but it was because I can't manage stairs any longer.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23So once I'd calmed down...
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- THEY LAUGH - ..we started looking
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and then we found here and it was perfect for what we needed.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Have you been a keen gardener in the past?
0:03:31 > 0:03:35I try. I can't do very much now because I get very tired.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37You don't have the time.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40No. I'm working full-time and I'm a local councillor
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and I do lots of things in the community as well,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45so I don't really have a lot of spare time.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48So, a really manageable garden would actually be fantastic.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Forgive me for being nosy, but seeing through your window
0:03:51 > 0:03:54over there, it looks like one of you is a bit of a painter.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Yeah, that's me.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56So, would this sort of double up
0:03:56 > 0:04:00as a bit of creative space for you maybe?
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I have sat out on the decking and painted when it was warmer
0:04:04 > 0:04:07last month, and that's just lovely to be able to do that.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10And I can see there's a couple of TARDIS over there.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- You're Doctor Who fan clearly. - I am. Kev humours me.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17You are Doctor Who fan, you are clearly a very colourful character.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Would you like your personality to be reflected in the garden?
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Yes, I would.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25I've already said I'd like my shed to be a TARDIS
0:04:25 > 0:04:28because that would just be so cool.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30So what would you like to do with this space?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33We want to make it more manageable really, I would say.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Easier to maintain. I think the lawn is not too fantastic.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42It gets quite waterlogged, so maybe a change of the lawn will help us.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45I hate the leylandii with a vengeance.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I think they should be made illegal.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50But I now it's too much to do in one day.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It does give you good privacy though, doesn't it?
0:04:53 > 0:04:54And it is quite private, isn't it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56I think we'd quite like to maintain that.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Yes.- All right.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Danny, in the past you were always a little bit nervous about not
0:05:00 > 0:05:02going too far in a garden
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and kind of making sure somebody gets what they want.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I think you can go as far as you like with Shirley's garden.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- Can I do whatever I want here?- Yes. - OK. Are you sure about that?
0:05:10 > 0:05:11Well, we have two provisos.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- What's that?- No concrete. - I'll have to rip up plan A then.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Yes, OK. And no privet.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- No privet?- No privet.- OK.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Beyond that I think you've got free rein.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- Bit of privacy, bit of fun and easy to get around.- Yes.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Right. We're going to get out of your hair
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- because you got a lot to get on with.- OK.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- I believe, Kev, we are offering you...- Yes.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36..like a sacrificial lamb to Danny as a bit of a grafter.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38You just jump in here. OK, what are we doing?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Before you go...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43..mustn't forget to give you this.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Because he doesn't like us to go off and have too much fun,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49so we get sent with the shopping list to get one or two plants.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- We can manage that, I'm sure.- Yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Have fun, chaps.- Have a good day. - Don't work too hard.- Take care.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Bye-bye.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Whilst Shirley and I set off on our research mission,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Danny has only ten hours and must bend space and time
0:06:01 > 0:06:04to get this garden finished in a day.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05But Dan's got a plan.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09And this time he has got the theme in mind to personalise this space.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14This garden is going to reflect the personality of its owner.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17She has very geeky interests.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19She is into Doctor Who and computer games,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23so I plan to build a garden to reflect all this.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28I'm going to paint a strip of that decking TARDIS blue
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and it will make a nice little landing strip
0:06:31 > 0:06:34just in case Dr Who wants to pay Shirley a visit.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38That decking is raised, which is great,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41so she has got a viewing point down onto the garden.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45And when Shirley comes from her landing strip down these steps,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47she's going to be in another world.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49She's going to see these concentric circles.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54The centre circle, which is made from slate, it's going to be a black hole.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Offset from the black hole it's going to be a hexagonal
0:06:57 > 0:06:59arch which she can walk through
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and disappear into another world.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Now, we've got to imagine what Doctor Who might see
0:07:06 > 0:07:08while his travelling through time.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And I think the sort of things he would see would be primeval.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Plants that are timeless.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16So they are the sort of things we're going to put in this garden.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19So what we've got here...
0:07:19 > 0:07:21it really is a conceptual garden.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Now, it's full of hidden meanings, so it's got planets,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27it's got all sorts of interesting sort of mystical stuff going on.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And I think Shirley would really like that.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Well, let's hope she does get Danny's hidden meanings
0:07:33 > 0:07:35or she may send him to another dimension...
0:07:35 > 0:07:37if the weather doesn't do it first.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41As usual, the instant garden team, AJ and Lou,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43are ready and able to help with the task.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46And Kev and family friend Stuart are on hand to help as well.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Fingers crossed there's enough muscle power to finish the job.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Time to get cracking.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Hello, you must be Stuart.- Hello. Yes, I'm Stuart.- Good to meet you.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Nice to meet you.- So you are the helping hand for the day.- Yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02That's great. Well, I reckon we should just make a start.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- OK, let's get on.- Shall we do that? - Yes.- Great. Let's go.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10The first thing we are going to do is to measure our centre circle
0:08:10 > 0:08:14because we are going to have three concentric circles here.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15- All right.- OK.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- So AJ has got a trusted tape measure. - We need a...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- centre point.- And we need a centre point.- Will one of these do?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Roughly, I don't know where we're going to...- I love you, Danny.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29DANNY LAUGHS
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I know you do, AJ.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- And I love you too.- Can I just borrow it for a minute though?
0:08:35 > 0:08:36Yes, you can.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Right, now, Kev, you stay with me and can give me a hand with that.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- OK.- And, Stuart...- Yes.- ..perhaps you could do the decking for me.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47As you can see, it's seen better days and it could do with the jet wash.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Yes.- So if you can crack on and do that, that would be great.- OK.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Whilst Stuart gets to work sprucing up the old decking,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00it's time to mark out the circle that will represent a black hole
0:09:00 > 0:09:01in space.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Can you just hold on to that for a minute?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Danny and AJ choose and mark the centre point of the circle
0:09:06 > 0:09:08and attach a tape measure to it,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10then, keeping the tape at a fixed length,
0:09:10 > 0:09:15they mark the circumference with spray paint. Following it so far?
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- That's it. Have you any idea what we're doing?- No.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Nor do we. We haven't got a clue. We're just making it up as we...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25We're just making it up as we go along.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- Do I need to give an explanation? Do you want an explanation?- Yes, please.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30- Do you?- Yes, please.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33This circle is going to be a hole.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38So at this point, Shirley is going to disappear into a black hole
0:09:38 > 0:09:40and go to another dimension. KEVIN LAUGHS
0:09:40 > 0:09:42You shouldn't be laughing.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Why are you rubbing your hands together?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- You should have tears in your eyes. - She will be coming back.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- We'll make sure she comes back. - Right, OK.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53So she's going to disappear into a hole.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57She's also going to walk through a dimension, which is going to
0:09:57 > 0:10:00be in the shape of a portal here,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04which she steps through and then she goes off into another world.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Yeah, I think she'll absolutely love it.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Do you think she'll like it? Well, that's a relief.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Just one thing we haven't brought with us today is a lawnmower.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Kevin, do you have one?- I do. Yes.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Brilliant. Cos we need to cut the grass...
0:10:17 > 0:10:21And the other thing we need to do is to edge this inner circle
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- cos we need to dig it out.- Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28So how about if I give you the task of mowing the lawn
0:10:28 > 0:10:29and we'll take this centre circle out?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- That seems a good idea.- Great.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Come on, team, the clock is running.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40How about less conceptualising and more constructing?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Mowing the lawn beforehand will make lifting
0:10:42 > 0:10:44and taking away the unwanted turf a lot easier.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Danny has got the team working at warp speed now,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50but there's a little problem of his own making which needs
0:10:50 > 0:10:53dealing with before the team get bogged down.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Stuart's done lovely clean decking over there.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02But the downside to that is this.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05So we've got a flooded area here.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09So I'm going to try and assist the drying out process.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15And what I'll do is I'll just make holes in the lawn with my fork.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16And just lift it.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20What a lovely sound that is.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Like a sponge, a lawn is a natural soak away.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29But if your lawn is extra soggy,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32an ordinary garden fork can be used to increase the effect.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Either lift areas of turf to drain surface water or simply make
0:11:36 > 0:11:39holes 15 centimetres deep all over
0:11:39 > 0:11:41and fill these with horticultural sand.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Meanwhile, Shirley and I are seeking inspiration in a garden in Didsbury.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It has big shady trees like Shirley's
0:11:50 > 0:11:53but this is also a garden full of ideas and meaning,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57created by a gardener expressing his personality and interest
0:11:57 > 0:11:58in a quirky way.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- Well, here we have...- Oh, wow. - SHIRLEY GASPS
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- Look at that! That is gorgeous. - Do you like it?- I do!
0:12:08 > 0:12:12It's clever. I love driftwood. Absolutely love driftwood.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14And that's really weathered wood.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16I believe this is part of an old wheel that they have
0:12:16 > 0:12:22turned into a sort of tiered bedding shelf.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It's gorgeous.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- In this garden there are quite a lot of large trees...- Yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- ..offering a lot of shade, a bit like your garden.- Yes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39I think it adds to the sort of mystery. How do you feel about it?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I think because the middle has got lots of sunlight on it
0:12:42 > 0:12:45it works so that you've got the contrast between the two.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47And then it's got... Oh, it's got a love seat.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- Ah!- It's got really quirky stuff in here. I love it.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Very much like your garden, Shirley, this isn't a massive space
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- but there is so much going on in here.- There is.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00There is so much to see. I mean,
0:13:00 > 0:13:02you kind of don't know where to look, do you?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Do you think you could learn to love your big trees if you could
0:13:05 > 0:13:08make the most of the shade and what is underneath them?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Seeing the big trees here
0:13:10 > 0:13:12with how they are, that's fantastic.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16So, yes, because that works really well.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- Let's head down here...- OK.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- ..because there is even more to see.- Great stuff.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24While Shirley and I explore this personalised paradise,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Danny is already two hours into today's garden journey.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31And there is a big task lurking in the corner, the garden shed.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Danny has got an idea that should keep the job on theme and on time.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Hi, Kev.- Hi, Danny. - How are you getting on?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42All right, yeah, I'm just removing this branch which has kind of
0:13:42 > 0:13:45been in the way, blocking the way through to the shed.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I think that's a great idea. I've been thinking,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51I know that Shirley would like a TARDIS in the garden.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52- She would, yes.- All right.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56We use the blue paint that we were going to use on the decking
0:13:56 > 0:13:57and also paint this shed.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59So she'll have her TARDIS.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00That would be fantastic.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02If we've got time, we'll paint the whole shed.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- But we'll make a start on the front. - Yes.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07The only other thing I won't be able to do, unfortunately,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I won't be able to make the inside of that shed bigger.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12All right? THEY LAUGH
0:14:12 > 0:14:14You'd be a very clever man if you could.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Yeah, yeah. I'd be worth a lot of money if I could.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19In the meantime, what we'll do, we'll go off and get some paint.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21And once you finish that, you can make a start on the shed.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- How's that?- Sounds a good plan. - All right? So let's go and get it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Sounds like a great plan.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29A lick of paint will transform and freshen up anything.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Don't forget to use all-weather paint to protect it.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Time travel transport organised out back,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Danny's catching up with handyman AJ
0:14:37 > 0:14:41who seems to be taking up a little space of his own out front.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44He's working on Shirley's inter-dimensional portal,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47or hexagon to you and me.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48- Hello, AJ.- Hello, mate.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- How's it going?- You know this hexagonal shape...- Yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53..this sort of portal shape, as you can see here
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- marked off a couple of lines here. - Yes.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Around here. Cut it all off and then we then sort of put it together
0:15:01 > 0:15:05and sort of got a little bit of a hexagonal shape.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Yeah.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10I now quite like the idea of having these sort of tails sticking up,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- sort of like fireworks at the moment or something like that.- Yeah.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17So then, we're going to have to come back this way a bit
0:15:17 > 0:15:22because most of this has got to go in the ground with cement around it.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- But actually, I'm glad you're here. - Yeah?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Cos I could actually get some proper sort of measurements.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Could you lie down there for me, please?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- You want me to lie down in the road? - Come on, I'm serious, I'm serious.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33You're all right.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35You've got a sort of protection with the wood round you.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Plant your bum.- The things I have to do for the cause.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Ah, take your time, mate. Take your time.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49So, ground level is going to be around about where your knees are.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51DANNY SNORES
0:15:51 > 0:15:53OK, right then. Now we've got ground level,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56can you just creep yourself up that way a little bit...
0:15:57 > 0:15:58..and see if you hit your head...
0:16:01 > 0:16:02..on...
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I would say there's a good, what, 18 inches?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07At the moment, you're about six inches off the ground.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- You're floating. - DANNY CHUCKLES
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- That's it.- We know it is going to work then, don't we?- We do.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- So, we've got about two feet to spare.- Are you happy with that?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- I'm very happy with that.- OK, then. Well, you can carry on, then.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Can I carry on sleeping?
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Mate, I'm really enjoying this. - Yes?- Yeah.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- Wake me up in about half an hour. - OK, right then.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Quiet, please. Shh!
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Joking aside, I think AJ has come up with a great idea there.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39I like the idea of these overhanging sides to this hexagon.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I think it's going to look really great
0:16:41 > 0:16:43and it's going to look really space-agey.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Brilliant.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Danny had better use that portal to step back in time.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49There's still a lot to do.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51The next job is getting rid of a bit more turf,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53so less lawn maintenance for Shirley.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Now to get the rest of the turf up.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59And we've made a start nearer the inner circle.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01We've taken that strip up.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04I don't really want to do all this by hand
0:17:04 > 0:17:08because it's quite laborious and energy sapping.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12So, I'm going to use this trusty turf cutter. So, here we go.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Whilst Danny and the team get on with lawn lifting,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Shirley and I get the chance to question the gardener
0:17:23 > 0:17:27who dreamed up this shady and unusual sanctuary in Didsbury -
0:17:27 > 0:17:28musician Peter Clare.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Peter, talk us through your garden.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Well, when I arrived, it was flat and full of trees and a mess
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and I had to take some trees out because it was nothing but trees.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45I decided which ones I was going to leave and then
0:17:45 > 0:17:49I sketched a plan with lots of paths and a circular lawn in the middle.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50I feel like I'm in an aviary.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52There are so many birds here and they're so loud.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Have you tried to attract birds?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59My partner is animal mad. She just feeds them constantly.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Talk us through some of the many quirky features in this garden,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05because the mangle just the tip of the iceberg, isn't it?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Well, we have an old shed that is made of an army ambulance
0:18:08 > 0:18:11that my dad appeared with when I first moved in.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12"I've got your shed, son."
0:18:12 > 0:18:14THEY LAUGH And this thing appears.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18It feels like you've got a lot in a relatively small space.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Has that been quite a complicated plan?- Yeah.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24One of the things I'm most pleased with is that
0:18:24 > 0:18:27it doesn't look too busy, because I was very afraid that it would.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29I think because the garden breaks up into sections
0:18:29 > 0:18:31and there's quite large shrubs that divide it,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35you get a sense of just entering another room rather than a garden.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36And what about the level of maintenance?
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Can Shirley have some of these exciting, interesting plants
0:18:40 > 0:18:43without it being too much hard work?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Yes, I think she can.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47One of the advantages of having a lot of trees, of course,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49is that it keeps away weeds.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52So, if you can get the ground to be covered in the kind of plants
0:18:52 > 0:18:53that like living under trees,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55then you won't have a great deal of weeding to do.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Looking at this garden, is there anything you're thinking,
0:18:58 > 0:18:59"I'd like to try that,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02"I'm going to think about doing that in the future"?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I love the idea of putting something in a garden
0:19:04 > 0:19:06that you wouldn't expect to see in a garden
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and then having stuff around it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13I think that's it - things that you wouldn't expect will work.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Walking down the high street, you stick your nose in a charity shop.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21If there's something there that will fit a plant in that can be used,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- give it a go.- Yeah.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27It's been really useful to visit a garden where shade is regarded
0:19:27 > 0:19:29as an opportunity rather than a problem,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33and which also reflects the owner's personality in a unique way.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Peter's garden has gone through an incredible transformation
0:19:36 > 0:19:39to become the secluded idyll it is today.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43It is clear from the outset, Peter worked with the feature trees
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and shady areas in a positive way, using them to shape the garden
0:19:47 > 0:19:48and set its style.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Be bold and delineate different spaces in your garden,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55such as the separate lawn and pond areas that Peter has created.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58This creates an illusion of greater size.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Use underplanting beneath trees to cover the ground.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04This will keep weeds at bay and reduce maintenance.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Take a leaf out of Peter's book
0:20:06 > 0:20:08and look out for interesting, quirky objects,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11such as his old army ambulance.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Go hunting in charity shops, reclaim yards and car-boot sales.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Someone else's cast-off could be your garden treasure.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Keep an eye out for the National Gardens Scheme,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23which lists hundreds of private gardens
0:20:23 > 0:20:25that are sometimes open to the public,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27so you can have a look around for yourself.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Meanwhile, back at Shirley's garden,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34a difference of opinion has brought proceedings to a halt.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Have we not got any long silver?
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- No, well, the thing is, the long silver is...- Long John Silver.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40..is harder to bend.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Yeah.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47Well, I'll watch you, but a longer piece, you get a better curve on it,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- because you're not going to have so many to join.- It's harder.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52With this, you can bend it.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Do you know what I mean? Like that.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- I know.- And a longer one, it's harder.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02It's harder to get that bend all the way round.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Not in my world, not in my world.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- But yours... But carry on. - DANNY CHUCKLES
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- I'll tell you what, shall we put it to the test?- Yeah.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- The loser buys the drinks...- OK. - ..this evening at the bar.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- All right.- How's that?- Cool, yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Cos you and I like a bit of competition, don't we?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- We do like a bit of competition.- OK. - It keeps the blood flowing.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22I hope I'm wrong, Danny, because I haven't been wrong yet.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Do you know what? I hope I'M wrong.- Why?
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Cos I just want to help you out.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Well, I'm trying to help you out.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Right.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Being totally impartial, I think it will be smoother
0:21:40 > 0:21:42because where you're going to have the silver,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46you've got more joints together and it's not going to be smoother.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- The look.- OK. The look. - It's all in the look.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- I agree with the look, but I think...- You know me,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- I'm all about the look. - You're all about the look.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58AJ, I would like to concede defeat.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04I'll get him next time.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Well, if everything is going to take this long,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09we're never going to get the job done!
0:22:10 > 0:22:13He might have admitted defeat over the edging,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16but Danny can't resist a little dig at AJ.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Just a little tip.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19There's something I spotted AJ doing
0:22:19 > 0:22:21is he was kneeling on the lawn.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23When you kneel on the lawn like that,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26what you're going to do is put indentations in it.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30So, it's an idea either to squat like this.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Or even better, if your lawn is soggy...
0:22:36 > 0:22:37..use a board to lean on.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41And that way, you won't get little indentations.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43And you wouldn't want that, would you?
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Whilst Danny cracks on with the edging,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Kev and Stuart are busy painting the shed TARDIS blue.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Colour is a great way to refresh your space.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55A lick of paint on a shed or deck is a cheap and simple way
0:22:55 > 0:22:57to instantly transform your garden.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59On the other side of the garden,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Lou is getting ready for replanting frenzy.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04But she's come up against an immovable object.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06Listen.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09FORK CLUNKS
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- My plan is to find a pocket...- OK. - ..where there isn't concrete.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Ah, the dreaded block of concrete. Every garden's got one.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Because plants that grow in dry shade
0:23:22 > 0:23:25are used to, you know, harsh conditions.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Yes, sure.- So I think if I do that,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- then they will spread anyway as good ground cover.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- And they'll thrive.- OK. Sounds like a great idea.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- So, I think that's only thing I can do.- Great idea, yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- And hopefully, we'll both find one or two pockets there.- Yeah.- Yeah, OK.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47Problem solved thanks to Lou. But now the team faces a real dilemma.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50How does one place an inter-dimensional time portal
0:23:50 > 0:23:51in one's back garden?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54So, what I'm doing is having a look to see
0:23:54 > 0:23:59where the focal point is going to be having walked through the arch,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01because I need something to draw the eye.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04And the focal point is going where that tree is.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06So, I'm walking through it now
0:24:06 > 0:24:09just to give it a little road test.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Our arch is here, so if I keep walking.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly, diddly.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Do you know what?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21I think we've got it just about right here.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24With that decision made and the day almost halfway through,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26it is time for some hole digging....
0:24:27 > 0:24:30..screwing, and hey presto.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Danny.- Yes?- I need a little bit of help, mate.- OK, just coming.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- This arch is ready.- OK, brilliant.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- We need to make a little bit of a... - A bit of room.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- A gangway.- OK. Let's move this out of the way.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45This is the most exciting bit.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49This is the bit I've been waiting for, this arch, cos I know that AJ
0:24:49 > 0:24:53has made a great job of this and it's going to look absolutely fantastic.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Right in the holes? Straight in the holes?- Yeah.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00OK. Bit more.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Right, let's just put it down a sec.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Look at that. Doesn't that wonderful?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Do you know, it's bigger than I imagined it to be?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18But that's great. It's fantastic.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- What do you think?- I think it's great!- Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- Do you think Shirley will like it? - I she'll love it.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Is it wacky enough for her?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27I think it's pretty wacky and it's wacky enough for her, yeah.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28- Good.- Yeah.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Well done, Danny. The portal is in position,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35but there's still loads to be done before Shirley returns.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Come on, guys. Time is flying.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40As the team get to grips with their ground work,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42I want to get further below the surface, too.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I take the chance to find out more about Shirley
0:25:45 > 0:25:47and why it is she needs our help.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52You and Kev have recently moved to a bungalow,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54mainly motivated by the fact that your ME
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- is quite difficult to deal with.- Yeah.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58So, how bad has the ME got?
0:26:00 > 0:26:04When we lived in the old house, some days it would take me
0:26:04 > 0:26:08around two hours from waking up to getting downstairs.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I couldn't walk down the stairs because it was just too difficult,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13so I'd slide down them on them on my bum.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Some days, I couldn't go to work. And...
0:26:20 > 0:26:22..it's had a massive impact on my life.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26How well understood is ME? Because it is chronic fatigue, isn't it?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I think people understand it more than they used to.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It used to be believed it was a psychological problem,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34not a physical problem,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37whereas now the research has shown it's more like
0:26:37 > 0:26:39an autoimmune disease.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44And I take stupid amount of drugs every day just to function.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- Clearly the ME has clipped your wings.- Yes.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50But you are a woman who has lots of interests and passions
0:26:50 > 0:26:54and I've noticed lots of Doctor Who paraphernalia around your house.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Yeah. I've watched Doctor Who since it first came on.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02I asked my mum recently, "What on earth were you doing
0:27:02 > 0:27:04"letting such a small child watch Doctor Who?"
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Cos I remember not just having a cushion,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but hiding behind the sofa when the Daleks came on.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11I was so scared!
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Shirley, there are so many different aspects to your personality.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20I really hope that we can create a garden that has got
0:27:20 > 0:27:22a bit of a reflection of that, that's got a bit of interest,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25a bit of intrigue, because I think you more than deserve it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- SHIRLEY CHUCKLES - You deserve another playroom.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Oh, yeah.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32And speaking of Shirley's playground,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34remember that black hole?
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Danny and the team are getting on with
0:27:36 > 0:27:38the new slate areas he's creating.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41The next job is the membrane.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Which is going to stop the weeds coming through.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49So, this allows moisture to go through,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53but stops the light, which suppresses the weeds, stops weed growth.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Well, that job's a good 'un and things seemed to be going smoothly.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59But don't count your chickens.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02With time running out, Stuart has come up against a big problem
0:28:02 > 0:28:04that might scupper Danny's plans.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Danny, all the slate's been brought round from the front now,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12there's none left at the front, and all the bags have been emptied out.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- OK.- So, we are short of slate. - We are short of slate.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Even with your ingui... What's the word?
0:28:20 > 0:28:22- Ingenious... - I'll tell you what I'll do,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24I'll make that even more ingenious, all right?
0:28:24 > 0:28:27I'm going to make this area even smaller.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30So, if someone can go and get me another one of those black strips,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34what we'll do is rake this back and we'll make it work.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- We'll rake it back?- Yeah. If you can get me another black strip.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38Yes, ingenious.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41The Instant Gardener comes up with another instant solution.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Problem solved and the extra planting space created
0:28:44 > 0:28:45is a bonus for Lou.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48What we can do is put some more plants in here, Lou.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- Oh, yeah?- Yeah.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- Which will make you happy. - Oh, Danny to the rescue, as usual.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56But there isn't long left. Get a move on, team!
0:28:59 > 0:29:01With things hotting up in the time travel garden,
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Shirley and I have come to a local community garden centre in Hulme
0:29:05 > 0:29:07equipped with Danny's shopping list,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10which has just one specific item on it -
0:29:10 > 0:29:11thyme.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Very funny, Mr Clarke.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16This garden centre was set up by a group of local residents
0:29:16 > 0:29:20as part of the regeneration of this once rundown area.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23At its heart is an ethos of recycling and sustainability.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26We've come to meet one of the gardeners, Tim Knight,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28who is a bit of a thyme lord himself.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Hello, Tim.- Nice to meet you. - Good to see you. This is Shirley.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- Hiya.- Hi, Shirley. - Good to meet you, Tim.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36We are after some thymes.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37Well, you're in exactly the right spot
0:29:37 > 0:29:40because we've got several different varieties just here.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- I didn't know there were so many varieties.- Yeah, there's loads.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Some are more upright and have the deep gold foliage, like this,
0:29:47 > 0:29:48that smells of lemon.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Then we've got these very low-growing, mat-forming ones.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Then there's one here that smells of pine
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and you can put that in hot water and use it as an inhalant
0:29:57 > 0:29:59if you've got colds and sore throats.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02So, is the main attraction of thymes that they smell?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Yeah. And they're attractive in their own right
0:30:04 > 0:30:07and they have little flowers which are loved by bees,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09so they're really good wildlife plants as well.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11But of course, yeah, you use them in cooking,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13lots of medicinal uses as well.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I absolutely love the smell of this.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18- It's a really nice smell. - That's one of the nicest smells.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20This is probably the strongest one, the common thyme,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23and this is the one that is most commonly used for cooking.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24Oh, yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- Yes.- Would you like something in your garden
0:30:28 > 0:30:29that you can use in the kitchen?
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Oh, yeah. That'd be really good. Yeah.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Because I use herbs when cooking, so instant bouquet garni.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37OK. Well, let's get a couple of those.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39What else would you recommend?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Well, we've got this creeping thyme here,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44which has really nice pink flowers.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47This one can grow a mat on the floor and you can walk on that
0:30:47 > 0:30:49and as you walk on it, it releases its scent.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Love the idea of walking on...walking on thyme.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Across the open space of Manchester,
0:30:57 > 0:31:01Danny is also contemplating where Shirley's feet might tread.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04But he's running out of time quickly.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Doesn't seem to be worrying him, though.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12The effect here is...we're thinking about outer space, that's the idea.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16So, Shirley walks down from the TARDIS's landing pad,
0:31:16 > 0:31:17which is over there,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21walks through this portal and she walks, disappears,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23and suddenly she's in space.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26And she's surrounded by these planets.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31So, we've got the rockets here and we've got the planets here.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32Here.
0:31:32 > 0:31:33Here.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37Here. And here.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42Danny is using three types of plants for Shirley's interplanetary theme.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46These round-pruned standard laurels and box balls represent planets,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49and these pointy, upright yews suggest skyrockets.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52These will be easy to look after.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Just a clip every so often so they can keep their shape.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57And the same with this yew.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02Just clip it every so often so it keeps its rocket-like shape.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Very, very easy to do.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07I can imagine myself flying through there, flying through space,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12and rockets whizzing past my head, planets all over the place.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Yeah, it really does look like a galaxy.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I think this really is going to work well.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Brilliant. But he is running out of time quickly.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24He needs to get a move on now!
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Back at the garden centre, Shirley and I
0:32:31 > 0:32:33are still busy choosing more goodies for Shirley's garden.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41I had a disastrous attempt at growing herbs couple of years ago.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43They just died.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45It's always good, when you buy a plant,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48I always tell people look at where it comes from around the world.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52These are Mediterranean, so they are used to being baked by hot sun
0:32:52 > 0:32:55and in a very free-draining soil.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58So if you just try to recreate that as much as you can
0:32:58 > 0:33:01and then they should thrive, should be more than happy.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03How well would these cope in a pot?
0:33:03 > 0:33:05They're actually better in pots.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Because they're Mediterranean plants, the need really good, sharp drainage,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10so often our ground is too wet.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13So put them in a pot, mix a load of sand and grit in with the compost
0:33:13 > 0:33:16and put them in a nice, sunny spot and they'll be more than happy.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19So they are quite easy to look after, then, if they're hardy?
0:33:19 > 0:33:21They're really tough. Yeah, they're really tough plants.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Got a bouquet of smells here.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- Ooh, yes.- Oh, that's delish.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29- Shirley, I'm going to get you some of these...- Oh, lovely.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30..peppermint chocolate herbs,
0:33:30 > 0:33:32because it wouldn't be an instant garden
0:33:32 > 0:33:34if we didn't go off-piste, would it?
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Thyme lord Tim has given us some wonderful advice
0:33:40 > 0:33:44about how to look after these little gardening gems.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46You can also fill your garden with plants that have meaning
0:33:46 > 0:33:49to personalise it and express yourself.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52For example, thyme actually symbolises purity
0:33:52 > 0:33:55and roses stand for eternal love.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57It is well worth picking the brains of staff
0:33:57 > 0:34:00and fellow gardeners for horticultural tips and ideas.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Advice is free and people love to share their experience.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07And don't forget to look out for community projects like this one.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09They are well worth supporting.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12With our shopping trip over, it is time to make our way home,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15and that can only mean one thing.
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Round at Shirley's house,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Danny and the team have less than an hour to go.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Do you know what? I wish Doctor Who was around now
0:34:22 > 0:34:26because he can make time stand still, can't he?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Or can't he even make time go backwards?
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Because I think we could do with another, maybe, hour or so
0:34:32 > 0:34:34just to get this job complete.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Anyway, better get going and see if I can make up some time.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Warp speed's needed, Danny.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43You've still got the planting and the landing strip to finish.
0:34:45 > 0:34:46- Kev, can you do us a favour?- Yep.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- Could you paint that landing strip? - Yes.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- If you can just do this strip here, from here to here.- Yeah.- In a line.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56And if you could, you know, obviously keep it as...
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- And do the steps down?- Um...
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- Yeah. But do that first. If we've got time, we'll do the steps.- OK.- Yeah?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Yeah.- Brilliant. - I will crack on with that.- Yeah.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08The deck has already been washed and prepared,
0:35:08 > 0:35:12so a stripe of all-weather blue paint and it should be good to go.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15One of the big issues for Shirley was her hated Leyland cypress,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17which dominates her garden.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19But Danny has come up with
0:35:19 > 0:35:22an on-theme plan to make use of the dry, shady space below it.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27This part of the garden represents a very ancient time
0:35:27 > 0:35:30and for that reason, I have picked these ferns
0:35:30 > 0:35:32because they've been around
0:35:32 > 0:35:33a hell of a long time
0:35:33 > 0:35:35and they will tolerate dry shade.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Now, this tree sucks up all the moisture.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Many people think that you can't plant in the dry shade,
0:35:41 > 0:35:46but these ferns will do the trick and they will be at home over there.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Many hands make light work,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51so whilst I leave Shirley to take the weight off her feet,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I head back to the garden with an armful of thyme
0:35:54 > 0:35:56to see if I can help Danny meet his deadline.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00I'm so happy about this. Danny!
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Hello, Helen.- Oh, my word! - How are you?
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- You have been so busy. - We have been busy.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08This is amazing.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11So, you've painted that blue, which I'm really excited about.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12Yeah. It's great.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14I didn't want to bring her back here and there be no TARDIS.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I know that was a requirement of hers. She really wanted a TARDIS.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21So we though we would paint it blue for her.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I love what you've done to the lawn. You've got rid of a lot of it.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- Yes, we have.- What is this?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Well, this is a portal, a time portal.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31So when Shirley walks through this,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34she disappears into another dimension.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- These are her planets, OK? - Ahh.- Here and here.
0:36:38 > 0:36:39And these are her rockets.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Oh, I thought you just put them in in a quirky, unusual pattern.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46No, that's kind of the symbolism behind what we're doing.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- I love that! There is a lot to look at.- Yeah, there is, isn't there?
0:36:49 > 0:36:52What is great is that your eyes bounce about, don't they?
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- Definitely.- You don't know where to look next.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58And I think if you can create that effect in a garden,
0:36:58 > 0:36:59you're halfway there.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02- I have brought the thyme. I get it now.- OK, brilliant, yeah.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- Thyme, yeah.- Doctor Who. - I put it on the list, didn't I?
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- Time Lord.- So, you understand that.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- So, this is a Doctor Who themed garden.- Absolutely.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- Totally reflecting her personality. - Yeah.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Interesting, it's different, it's quirky.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17While your eyes are bouncing about,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20I'm going to protect this mint from you cos it wasn't on your list.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- LAUGHING: OK.- Get it over here and put it in a pot.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Do you know what? I hadn't even noticed it.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26- Yay, brilliant.- Just as well.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Speed is of the essence now and it is time to get my thyme planted.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Right, this one is for the peppermint
0:37:35 > 0:37:40that Shirley and I snuck onto our shopping list.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41She likes it!
0:37:41 > 0:37:43I think you should have whatever you like in your garden.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46I tell you what, Helen, you're doing the right thing there
0:37:46 > 0:37:50by putting the mint in a pot, cos the last thing we want to happen
0:37:50 > 0:37:54is to put that in the ground and it runs riot throughout the garden.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Everybody keeps saying this about mint. Is it that bad?
0:37:57 > 0:37:58If you put it in, it's going to take over?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00It can take over your garden.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- I mean, have you ever seen it growing in cracks in pavements?- Yeah.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06You see what I mean? It is a very invasive plant.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08It is almost like a weed.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10It smells better than a weed, though.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11Yeah, it smells better than a weed,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14but it can be classed as a weed because some people can spend years
0:38:14 > 0:38:16trying to get rid of it out of their gardens.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18So, if you want it, put it in a pot?
0:38:18 > 0:38:19Put it in a pot and it's
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- absolutely fine.- My thyme, however...
0:38:23 > 0:38:25..which has got plenty of drainage
0:38:25 > 0:38:26because I've mixed
0:38:26 > 0:38:27what I'm putting it into...
0:38:29 > 0:38:31- ..is far from a weed.- Exactly.
0:38:31 > 0:38:32That's absolutely fine.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36As with other Mediterranean herbs,
0:38:36 > 0:38:38combine horticultural sand with compost
0:38:38 > 0:38:40to keep thyme thoroughly drained.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43My thyme may be fine, but Danny's is nearly up
0:38:43 > 0:38:46and he's got one more very special plant to launch.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50He makes a slit in the membrane under the slate in the black hole
0:38:50 > 0:38:52and pops the trunk in at a jaunty angle,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55the kind of angle it naturally grows in.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00The piece de resistance - this tree fern.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Dicksonia antarctica, my favourite plant.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06And the reason I've chosen it, just look at these fronds.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09They are just unfurling like gorillas' knuckles.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12And they look like, when Shirley comes down these steps,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15they're going to reach out and grab her.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18They are also alien-looking and very ancient,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20so they fit in with this theme.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Someone grab Danny, please. There is no time to lose
0:39:23 > 0:39:27and it is all hands on deck for one final, magnificent push
0:39:27 > 0:39:31as the team complete Shirley's time-travelling dream.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39The moment has come to reveal the garden to Shirley.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42But first, a big thanks to Kev and Stuart.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Kevin, Stuart, thanks very much for pitching in today.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50We could not have done this without you.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53So, here is my heartfelt gratitude.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- You're welcome.- Cheers. Thanks a lot.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Stuart, you've earned a cup of tea
0:39:58 > 0:40:00and you probably want to wipe the blue specks off your face.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04Let's go inside. You two, brace yourself because I'll get Shirley.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06KEVIN CHUCKLES
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Before, this garden was a neglected space with overgrown shrubs
0:40:10 > 0:40:12and a worn-out patio.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16The lawn was tired and shapeless and too much for its owner to cope with.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Beneath the trees was an overgrown, untended muddle of plants.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23But in just one day, it has been entirely transformed
0:40:23 > 0:40:24by Danny and his troops.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33The lawn has been reduced and given shape and form
0:40:33 > 0:40:35by using flexible edging and slate chippings,
0:40:35 > 0:40:39which should give Shirley the low-maintenance garden she needs.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Shirley's quirky personality and love of Doctor Who
0:40:43 > 0:40:46has also been reflected in Danny's design
0:40:46 > 0:40:48by painting her shed TARDIS blue
0:40:48 > 0:40:52and by creating her very own time portal
0:40:52 > 0:40:55to walk through right at the centre of her garden.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59And finally, the planting, chosen to enhance the time-traveller theme.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03A selection of standard laurel, box balls and upright plants
0:41:03 > 0:41:05represent planets and rockets,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07and her large conifers are under-planted
0:41:07 > 0:41:09with dry, shade-loving plants.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15With its themes designed to reflect the passions of its owner,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Danny has striven to take this garden to another time and place,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22all in the space of just one day.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24But the moment of truth has arrived.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Will Shirley appreciate Danny's off-the-wall design?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32It has been an exhausting day for Shirley, who needs to sit down
0:41:32 > 0:41:35to take in the incredible transformation before her eyes.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40OK. I think this is the moment, Shirley.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44You have been very obedient and kept your eyes closed.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47But now is the time to open them and take in your brand-new garden.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50SHE GASPS
0:41:52 > 0:41:53Oh, my goodness.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57It's fabulous!
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- Oh, I've got the... - OTHERS LAUGH
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- I've got slate. I love slate.- You like slate?
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- I love slate.- Just as well. DANNY CHUCKLES
0:42:06 > 0:42:08- Is that a tree fern? - That's a tree fern.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10SHE GASPS You like tree ferns?
0:42:10 > 0:42:12- I do.- You know, that is my favourite plant.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- Is it really? - Yeah, I love them.- Oh, wow.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16But don't you think it kind of looks like
0:42:16 > 0:42:18it's going to come out and grab you?
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- Yes.- And take you through... - Triffid-like.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Take you through that portal there, because that's what that is.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26- That is a portal.- That is awesome!
0:42:26 > 0:42:29When you go through that, you go into another dimension. SHE LAUGHS
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- So, this slate represents a black hole.- Right.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- All right? And that is a time portal.- Yeah.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- And see these plants here? - Yeah.- These standard plants?- Yeah.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- They represent planets.- Oh, wow.- OK?
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- Fabulous idea.- There is a planet there, a planet there.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- And see those plants there, those yews?- Yeah.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53They're rockets. SHE CHUCKLES
0:42:53 > 0:42:57- Look at your shed. - And there is your TARDIS over there.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Oh, that is awesome!
0:42:59 > 0:43:01But also, look behind you. That is where...
0:43:01 > 0:43:04That's a landing pad for the TARDIS. SHE LAUGHS
0:43:04 > 0:43:06- All right?- That is brilliant.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10So when you walk out from those doors, you walk down these steps,
0:43:10 > 0:43:12you then disappear into this hole
0:43:12 > 0:43:15and then you go into another dimension.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18- Oh, that is fantastic. - Do you like it?- I do.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20- Good.- I love it.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23And under the bane of your life - what WAS the bane of your life -
0:43:23 > 0:43:27we've used ferns because they tolerate dry shade.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29- They'll do well in this kind of garden, won't they?- Yeah.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31How much work is Kev going to have to do?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33It's going to be very low-maintenance.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37All you need to do is cut the grass and just clip those planets...
0:43:37 > 0:43:39- HE CHUCKLES ..once in awhile.- Yeah.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42- QUIETLY:- Thank you. - Oh, that's OK.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45- It's lovely.- Right.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Danny has really let his imagination run riot and in just ten hours,
0:43:51 > 0:43:53has given this unique individual
0:43:53 > 0:43:57a personalised and practical garden she can truly escape into.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03It is a low-maintenance space, packed with interest and ideas
0:44:03 > 0:44:07where she can truly imagine she is on another planet.
0:44:07 > 0:44:08It's gorgeous.
0:44:10 > 0:44:14It is so nice to see such a big smile on that face.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17And this face! That is a smile of relief. Good job, Danny.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21You've done it. Another personalised transformation in just one day.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25It is a playful garden for a playful lady.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Join us next time for another instant garden challenge.