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 > 0:00:17Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Here's my plan. I'm going to rejuvenate this garden.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Each time, our gardening guru will show you how to create
0:00:24 > 0:00:27gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30That's the art of garden design - delegation.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas and tips...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36It makes it easier to cut through.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40..to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42It does feel unnatural, but take your time.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44'With 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 > 0:00:54- That's why Danny makes me bring a list.- OK.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Oh, my word.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57This is amazing.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59'..and because he's the Instant Gardener,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03everything you see will happen in just one day.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- Oh, my gosh! - That looks so much better.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15This time, we are in the Hampshire town of Basingstoke.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Originally a mediaeval market town,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22the population of modern Basingstoke has rocketed to nearly 90,000.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25With many high-rise apartment blocks and busy roads,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28space for a garden in this busting town is a hard won
0:01:28 > 0:01:30and cherished commodity.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35In towns, space is at a premium
0:01:35 > 0:01:38so gardens aren't always where you might expect to find them.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Today's outdoor space is a few storeys up
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and it's left its owner,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46who's taking her first steps on the property ladder,
0:01:46 > 0:01:47more than a little bit daunted.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I don't want to stand on that. It's too good.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- Hello.- Hi.- I'm Helen. - Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Amy.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06- Thanks for having us.- Come on in.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- I love your doormat. - Thank you.- It's cute.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Amy Jolliffe is a 27-year-old primary school teacher from Wales,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19who has recently settled in Basingstoke.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23After a long and demoralising battle to find her first teaching job,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Amy now works very long hours.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Like many other key workers, she's also struggled to get her
0:02:28 > 0:02:31foot on the property ladder.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35But, finally, Amy has been able to buy a part share in her first home,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38a new-build flat in the suburbs.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42To do that she's had to sacrifice the idea of a dream garden.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45In fact, she's been lucky to get what she has
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and to transform it will be a tall order.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Amy's so-called garden is, in fact, a roof terrace.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Measuring around 24 square metres,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02it's only an eighth of the size of the average UK garden.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05The terrace is paved with bog-standard concrete paving stones
0:03:05 > 0:03:10which, according to Amy's lease, we can't alter in any permanent way.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14It is bounded by glass partitions with brushed metal railings
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and brick walls on to sides, which again, we can't modify permanently.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21There's also a curious window-like opening.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25It's got a great view, but creates a terrific draught.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Amy is desperate to turn her terrace into a cosy,
0:03:28 > 0:03:29relaxing outdoor room,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31but, so far, all she has managed to do
0:03:31 > 0:03:36is install this rather ugly storage unit and plant a few pots.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40It's a blank canvas and it has some restrictions, but there's loads
0:03:40 > 0:03:42we can do to turn this terrace into the talk of the town.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43- Hello.- How you?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Very well, thank you.- Good. - What a great little space this is.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- It's a great space, especially on a day like today.- Definitely.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- How long have you lived here?- I've lived here for nearly four years.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55So, is this a flat that you own outright?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57I part buy, part rent.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02I'm on the professional scheme that came out about four years ago
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and I own just over 50% of the property
0:04:05 > 0:04:09and I pay rent to a company who own the rest of it.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- So is the aim to own it outright, eventually?- It is.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Within the next three years, I'm hoping to own 100%.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18What are the limitations of making over a roof garden
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and one that you don't yet fully own outright?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I think it's the structural issues.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25We can't drill into the outside walls.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28You can't, sort of, get out on to the roof.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30There are some health and safety issues there.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33The stuff we put in here can't be too heavy,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37otherwise the guy below will have a load of ceiling on his head.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Having walked through your house, it's immaculate and gorgeous
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and very colourful and there's a lot of character in there.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- That's not reflected out here, though, without being rude.- No.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51No, it's not. It's a very bland. It doesn't say "me", at all.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I've managed, in the last three and a half years,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55to really make my home bright,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- colourful, represent me... - OK.- ..completely.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00This isn't.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03So we need to put a bit of you into this space, don't we?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Yes. Now I want to be able to bring friends
0:05:05 > 0:05:09and family out to this area and enjoy a barbecue
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and have just a nice meeting place,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13rather than being stuck in the living room.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Danny, this is a blank canvas, but it's a roof terrace,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17so there are positives and negatives.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19How are you feeling about transforming this space?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I've got a big confession to make.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23I've never done a roof garden before.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- This is going to be a first for me. So, Amy, wish me luck.- Good luck.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- Are you green-fingered? Do you do much gardening?- Not really.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34No, I've attempted and ended up killing everything.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Yeah, I hadn't noticed, Amy. I hadn't noticed(!)- No, not at all.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- Everything just dies. It doesn't matter how hard I try.- OK.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I am quite a busy person.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45I start early in the morning
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- and I do sometimes finish at eight o'clock at night.- OK.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52When I come home, I enjoy just sitting down and just relaxing.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57And I do actually forget about watering the plants sometimes.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58You're dedicated in the classroom.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03How would your friends describe your dedication in the garden?
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Yeah.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07They think it's hysterical.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I planted something just behind you
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and, for the last year, thought it was a lavender plant
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- and then got told it was bluebells. - Ha-ha.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19So, that's the extent of my gardening skills.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I thought I was doing something right.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Thought it was a perfect flower.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Yep. So I'm the laughing stock of my friends, I think,
0:06:25 > 0:06:26when it comes to gardening.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Well, you'll be a laughing stock no more,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30cos what we'll do, we'll put some plants in here.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32There's no such thing as no maintenance,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34but there is low maintenance.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- We'll get out of the way and let you crack on. Help is on its way.- OK.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- And I've just got something for you, Helen. The usual.- Oh, yeah.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41So, a little shopping list.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46So, if you can go enjoy yourself and I'll catch up with you later.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48While I whisk Amy away for a bit of R&R -
0:06:48 > 0:06:50that's retail and research -
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Danny has only ten hours to transform her terrace.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Basically, the outline has got to remain as it is.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02So we can do stuff within the walls,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05but we can't fix anything to the walls, for example.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08So anything we put in here has to be freestanding.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Now, a very good design tip here is to look on the inside
0:07:12 > 0:07:15and see what you've got on the inside of your house
0:07:15 > 0:07:18and try and project that to the outside.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19I've been inside. I've had a look around
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and one of the first things that I've noticed
0:07:22 > 0:07:24is that Amy likes bright colours,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27so I'm going to try and replicate that in this space.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33We've got to be very careful with the flooring because of the restrictions.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34We can't paint it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35We can clean it, which is good.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37That will make a huge difference.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39And once cleaned,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42perhaps we'll put some, sort of, bright-coloured matting down.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47For me, these small pots are a no-no.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49So, we want to do something that's high-impact.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54Maybe instead of lots of small pots, have maybe two or three large pots.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59I wouldn't make it too messy, by having lots of different varieties.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00Less is more,
0:08:00 > 0:08:06so I'd be inclined just to put one variety of plant in each pot.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Topiary.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10I mean, that comes to mind. Maybe an interesting shape.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Maybe a sphere or an oblong, something like that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19The window, although it's great for viewing,
0:08:19 > 0:08:20it's a bit of a wind tunnel,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23so what we want to do is find a way of diffusing the wind,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25just slowing it down.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Furniture-wise, again, we can't fix anything to the walls,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30so everything has to be freestanding.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32We'll put a bench over there
0:08:32 > 0:08:36and paint it, so that it matches the flooring
0:08:36 > 0:08:40and, in turn, that will match what's going on inside Amy's flat.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41And, perhaps, a bench over here
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and, likewise, that will be painted.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Now the main advantage that we've got here,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50because nothing is going to be fixed to this space,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53so really this is an outside room,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55which she can roll up and take with her.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57There's no hard-core digging to be done.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00All it is, is an installation.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02And you know what? I know just the man.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Handyman AJ is on the case, as always.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09And he's going to have his work cut out with all the furniture
0:09:09 > 0:09:10Danny is planning.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Plus Amy's mum and dad, Jane and Colin,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15have come all the way from Wales to help their daughter
0:09:15 > 0:09:17transform her roof space.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- Hello. Hi.- Hello, Jane.- Hello, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- All right, so what I need you to do is to scrub this patio area.- Yeah.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- OK?- Yeah.- And the glass. If that's OK.- Fine. Yeah. No problem.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- And, AJ, I've got a job for you, mate.- I'm not scrubbing.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I know you're not scrubbing. I wouldn't dare ask you to scrub.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- That's all right, then.- But I need you to construct a couple of benches
0:09:39 > 0:09:40- for me.- OK.- If that's OK.- Yeah.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- Now, I want a bench on this wall here.- OK.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46About a metre and a half wide, but I'd like it to be quite deep,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48so maybe half a metre deep.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Yeah. And it's going to have to be stand-alone, isn't it,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53because we can't drill into these walls, can we?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Absolutely, because there's rules and regulations here
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and we can't touch the walls so they can be stand-alone,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00which will be great and that will be great for Amy
0:10:00 > 0:10:02because then she's got something that's movable.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- Yeah, take it away.- Put it in another position round here.- Cool.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- I would suggest another bench here. - OK.- And we need some kind of buffer.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- OK.- Right. So we need to, if we can, to defuse the wind
0:10:13 > 0:10:15that comes through that window.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Like a bit of a screen or something there?- Something there.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- If you can come up with an idea, that would be fantastic.- OK. Cool.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24I know you can, because, you know...
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- I'm the man that can. - You're the man that can, absolutely.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29OK, well, I'll crack on with that. We can't really do much work up here
0:10:29 > 0:10:31because you're going to be cleaning this down.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34And there's a lot of cutting of wood and things like that,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36so I am going to pop downstairs.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- If you need me, holler through the window.- I will holler very loudly.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- Thank you. I'll see you in a bit. - See you later.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Take care. See you later. - See you later, AJ.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Tools are over here.- Yeah.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- If you take that. You can do the window.- No problem.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- And we'll do the scrubbing. - Yeah, that sounds good.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00You must be very proud of your daughter, because she is very
0:11:00 > 0:11:03young and managed to get on the property ladder. That's quite rare...
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- Yes...- for youngsters these days.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09It was one thing she always wanted, she wanted to get her own place.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11From the time she left uni.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13She...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15In uni, in Plymouth.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- And she left Plymouth and come up this neck of the woods.- Right.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20And how long has she lived here for now?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22She's been here nearly four years now.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26I get the impression that she is a very sociable person.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- And she likes to entertain.- She likes to have her friends around.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32She hasn't got a massive...
0:11:32 > 0:11:35lot of friends, but the friends she's got, she likes to
0:11:35 > 0:11:37have them around in the summer, entertaining and...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- And treat them well. - And treat them well.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42So, this is probably the last part
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- she needs to do now.- Great.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47And what a great space to entertain her friends here.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Yes, definitely.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Something she's wanted for a while.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Colin, you're probably wondering why we are working
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- so hard scrubbing this.- Yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59You might be thinking, "Well, why aren't we using a jet wash?"
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Yes, I did wonder that.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Well, the reason being is that, you know, it is a roof terrace.- Yeah.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06And there could be a water issue.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10If we are flooding this with lots of water, there could be a leak
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- somewhere, and we don't want it going down into the...- Flat below.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14..flat below.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19All right, I think it's time for me to leave you,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22because I need to see what AJ is getting on with.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Down below, AJ has made a start on the first of his two benches,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- with a special extra feature. - Hello, AJ.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Hiya, mate.- How's it going, mate?
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- Yeah, good.- Good.- Good, thanks.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I decided to build a couple of,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37sort of, planters either side,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40that the bench will lean against. So I'm just finishing off this.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I've, sort of, offset the wood here.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I'm just using this as a marker, clamped it there. Measured up there.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I'm just screwing the last screw in on this one here.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53So, I just thought, either side, bench across the middle and...
0:12:53 > 0:12:57No, I love it. That is a bonus, because I wasn't expecting this, AJ.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01And to do that means that we've got two more planting opportunities.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- That's fantastic.- It's what I do for you. I'm always thinking of you.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06Thank you very much.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10But there's more! AJ is full of surprises today.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13You could just make it all...
0:13:13 > 0:13:17equilateral like that, but I actually quite like the idea
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- of twisting that over.- Yeah.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- And, as you see, the second level...- Yeah.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26And then you have this, sort of, zigzag pattern here,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and then the top one, obviously, will stick out here,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32here, here and here.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35AJ, I love it. Is this going to be nice and light?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Once this is made and then I make another one on the other side,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43and then, sort of, a few slats all screwed together, then, that's it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47As long as it's... When it's up there, you are not,
0:13:47 > 0:13:49it won't be overbalanced.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- OK.- So it is all right. It should be.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53DANNY LAUGHS
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Yeah. You can talk!- Oh. Maybe.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59As well as the two benches, AJ has also been tasked with
0:13:59 > 0:14:02building a windbreak for Amy's draughty aperture.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04And he's been thinking ahead.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06So how is the windbreak coming on, AJ?
0:14:06 > 0:14:09We've got these here, which I'm going to cut to size at some point.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Sort of, like, five inches by one inch.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- Yeah.- And I thought we'd get some batons.- Yeah.- And then we can then
0:14:17 > 0:14:21have one in front of the baton, one behind. So they are offset.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24So we've got gaps coming at an angle,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- so the wind isn't just one big force.- Yes.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- It will still let light through, as well.- And that's a bonus.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33It is a bonus, because we want it so bright up there and lovely.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Do you know, AJ, I knew you would come up with a good idea.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- No problem.- Put it there.- For you, brother.- Thank you, thank you.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- AJ, is there anything I can do to help you, mate?- Oh, yes, yes.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Um, leave me to it.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45DANNY LAUGHS
0:14:46 > 0:14:49While Danny and the team get on with it, I'm taking Amy
0:14:49 > 0:14:53to visit a very swish outdoor space that I think will show her
0:14:53 > 0:14:57both how flexible and multipurpose a small space can be,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01and that gorgeous plans don't have to mean masses of work.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Amy, I've brought you here to see a garden that I hope will excite
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- and inspire you.- Perfect.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Because you say you're looking for a bit of inspiration at the minute.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- I am, yes.- Hopefully, this will do the trick.- Excellent.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- So what do you think of this garden? - It is beautiful. That is beautiful.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27The fire pit is really nice and that bench, actually, is really quirky.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30And different, sort of, bits to the garden.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33The barbecue area over here...lawn,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36seating area, patio.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Is this the kind of thing you like?- I would.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42It just doesn't feel like you're where you are.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45So I think, actually, this would be a really nice, sort of, look.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Oh, she's changed already, she's changed already!
0:15:47 > 0:15:51It doesn't look daunting. It is really, really nice.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Let's go and test out that seating area.- Definitely.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57As someone with a small garden and a very poor track record
0:15:57 > 0:16:00in keeping plants alive, I want Amy to see how well chosen
0:16:00 > 0:16:04great-looking plants can also be easy to look after.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07What are your first impressions, Amy, as a non-gardener,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11self-confessed? Is this something you like, is it a bit intimidating?
0:16:11 > 0:16:12I don't think it is intimidating.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I've never really thought about using just green plants.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20I've always tried using flowers and then they've died really quickly.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25This just seems to be such a nice... It has a nice feel to it.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Doesn't look like I will be able to kill too much. It looks
0:16:28 > 0:16:31really strong and hard wearing, yet almost tropical, at the same time.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- It is Amy-proof.- It is Amy-proof.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Back at Amy's own outdoor space, the clean paving is positively
0:16:39 > 0:16:42glowing and so are Danny's praises of his team.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45This is amazing. I'm surprised you've made such a difference.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49When I left you earlier, I didn't think you would get it this clean.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- It's great.- It has come up really well. A lot better than I thought.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Danny has got a bright colour scheme in mind for jazzing up this
0:16:55 > 0:16:57dour-looking patio.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01So bright, in fact, you might want to get your sunnies on for this.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- Now, just look at these babies. - They are really nice.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- Now, is this going to work or is this going to work?- It's going to work.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- It's going to work. - It is going to work.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13The reason for these large pots is to add a bit of drama
0:17:13 > 0:17:16to this outside space. Rather than have lots of small pots,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20which aren't really going to make any impact on this space,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23I thought large pots would be far better.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28And we've put some nice, topiarised round balls in here.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And that brings a bit of cohesion to this space.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Now, one of the things I noticed is that there are no holes
0:17:35 > 0:17:38in this pot, so it means they need to be drilled.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42The reason we've put holes in the pots is to allow
0:17:42 > 0:17:44the water to come through.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47If we don't allow water to come through, there is a danger these
0:17:47 > 0:17:51pots could fill up with rainwater and damage the roots of the plants.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Three holes, bit of a triangle? - No, just one hole.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58We just want one hole in the middle here, AJ,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00on each pot.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02That would be absolutely brilliant.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11OK, so, you know,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14with a pot this size, a 10ml hole,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18just use a 10ml drill bit to drill a hole in the middle.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19That's absolutely fine.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21DANNY CHUCKLES
0:18:21 > 0:18:23And it helps breathing, as well.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29If I just put soil in here and I don't protect the hole,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31this hole will get blocked.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35So, what I'm going to do is put some crockery in there, some broken,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38maybe broken pots, some stones, anything like that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Put that around the hole
0:18:40 > 0:18:43before I put the compost in.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47That way, that'll keep the hole free from being blocked.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51But, Danny, where are you going to get those broken pots?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Oh!- I'm going to smash this pot.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And the way I'm going to do it is by putting it in this rubble sack here.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00And that way, when I smash it,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03we're not going to have splinters everywhere.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05And I'm actually protecting myself
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and anyone that is in the vicinity from getting anything in their eyes.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19I think it's dead now. THEY LAUGH
0:19:20 > 0:19:22And there we are, that is all I need. One of these,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26just to cover the hole, to keep it unblocked. Simple as that.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28A smashing tip there, Danny,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32but time is ticking away and there's still no sign of any foliage.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36We need to get some plants into those pots.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Oh, that feels good.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I've been dying to do this all day.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Nice to get a bit of compost between the old fingernails.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Right, plant number one is ready to go in and it is a belter.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb', an evergreen shrub.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Isn't that an absolute beauty?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54And you will notice that...
0:19:54 > 0:19:57it is green there, but that's the new growth.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00But they will soon turn a darker colour.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02An absolutely wonderful plant.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Now, I'm going to show you a little trick when putting...
0:20:06 > 0:20:07putting plants in pots.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Take the plant out of the pot...
0:20:11 > 0:20:14..and just place the pot...
0:20:14 > 0:20:15..inside the larger one.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Now, I reckon I've got the level about right there.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21What I'm going to do now is fill the perimeter
0:20:21 > 0:20:23of this pot with compost.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Not the pot itself, but go around the outside.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33So there we are. So now...
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I can put my beautiful plant...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38..in that space.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42There we are. Ta-da!
0:20:42 > 0:20:45One potted pittosporum.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46How gorgeous is that?
0:20:46 > 0:20:49The reason I'm using this shape, this round shape,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53is to give a bit of formality to this garden, to this space.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55I think it will look absolutely fantastic.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58It is going to keep everything nice and neat and contemporary.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It will be very good for Amy, absolutely brilliant.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Because they do need very little looking after.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I would suggest maybe giving it a trim, as I'm doing now,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10maybe two or three times a year.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12And that's all it needs.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16With some lime green pots and structural to topiary, this
0:21:16 > 0:21:20bog-standard terrace is starting to feel like a chic retreat.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23While Danny gets his hands dirty, back in the small suburban
0:21:23 > 0:21:27paradise on the other side of Basingstoke, I've arranged to
0:21:27 > 0:21:28meet its owner, Darrell,
0:21:28 > 0:21:33to ask him how he made his garden easy care and part of his home.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Talk us through this place,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39because this is almost an extension of your living room, isn't it?
0:21:39 > 0:21:42It is. We were looking to have a grown-up space
0:21:42 > 0:21:45where we could sit out and entertain, where actually
0:21:45 > 0:21:47we could have friends around,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49where we could have a barbecue area.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52How high or low-maintenance is this garden, though?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55This is a very, very low-maintenance garden, so, really, other than
0:21:55 > 0:21:58the odd weed popping up, which you just pull out, that's it.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Probably in about, sort of two to three years' time, we'd probably
0:22:01 > 0:22:05have to start shaping some of the bushes as they grow,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08but apart from that, it is just to sit out and enjoy
0:22:08 > 0:22:12the garden and, once or twice a week, sort of cut
0:22:12 > 0:22:13the freshly laid lawn.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17I noticed, though, you've got a plant on wheels. Why is that on a trolley?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21It is actually a very heavy plant, it is actually a very big pot,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24but it makes it very easy for us to move around the patio.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27You can use it for natural shading.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29If you actually want more space, you can
0:22:29 > 0:22:33move it to a different part, different part of the garden.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35And presumably, if this wasn't your further home,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38you could take it with you when you go without a massive amount of hassle.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- That's an idea you could kind of pick up on, isn't it?- It is.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44How did you come up with all these ideas, because there's a lot
0:22:44 > 0:22:47going on, and you kind of said you would never think of this.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- No.- We actually started by creating a, um...
0:22:51 > 0:22:53storyboard, where you literally, you know,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55you take images from websites,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59you cut out pictures from gardening...
0:22:59 > 0:23:03magazines and things like that. You sort of put them all together.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07And you end up with a complete sort of collage of different shapes
0:23:07 > 0:23:08and colours and textures.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11And it is amazing when you've got it all on a single
0:23:11 > 0:23:13sheet of paper.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15You suddenly see that, without even thinking about it,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19you've actually picked things, about textures and colours,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22um, designs and lighting and things like that.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- Have you ever done that for your garden?- Not at all.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28I just seem to be at a loss to my garden.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Inside, I've got lots of inspiration, I do what you've said,
0:23:31 > 0:23:32I do mood boards...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36and have a look in all different types of shops to get inspiration,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39but then outside it is just...
0:23:39 > 0:23:42I am at a loss. And this is just... This is just brilliant.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Whether you're starting a garden from scratch like Amy,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49or transforming an existing patch like Darrell,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53this gorgeously green space employs a number of great ideas you
0:23:53 > 0:23:56could try on your own garden overhaul.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Mood boards aren't just for interior decorating.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Keep copies of pictures that inspire you, and you, like Darrell,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06will soon find patterns emerging of the garden looks you love.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10If you're not one for constant care, choose more evergreen shrubs
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and non-flowering plants.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16They can be easier to look after but just as eye-catching.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Experiment with garden design by moving furniture,
0:24:19 > 0:24:20pots and boxes around.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Wheeled containers are especially handy.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26A small garden needn't become boring with a monthly mix-up.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Back in Basingstoke, it's past two o'clock,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35and the roof garden doesn't yet have a stick of furniture.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37A check on AJ's progress is in order,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39and he's had an inspired idea.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Because it can't be permanently fixed in place,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46he's combining the windbreak with a storage bench to anchor it.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- Hi, AJ, how's it going?- Bit of thought. This windbreaker...- Yes.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54You know, it is going to have to have something heavy on the bottom of it...
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- Yeah.- ..to stop the wind blowing it one way or the other.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00I've built this, this is going to be the second bench.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04- If I put a top on there, and then a base in there...- Yes.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07..then we can have storage. You know, it is not going to go anywhere.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09AJ, I think that's a great idea,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13because Amy has got some ugly storage room upstairs.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16And this would be great as an alternative.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I can build it down here, and then she'll have to come down
0:25:18 > 0:25:20here and sit on it, otherwise.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23So we need to get it up there now and just finish off the construction.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- I'll go get the troops, and we'll get going.- Brilliant.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Thanks for that, AJ. Cheers.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I hope Jane and Colin are feeling strong today.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Shifting this furniture is going to be fun.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40There we go.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Top work there, team.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Look how well the patio's come up, AJ.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- Oh, brilliant.- It's great, isn't it?- They've been busy.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53They have been busy. Absolutely lovely.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- And clear all that way there, we'll push it up there.- Yeah.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Put a couple of screws in there and then it is all...- That's brilliant. - ..set.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04And the thing is, I mean, it is very well made. It kind of looks permanent, doesn't it?
0:26:04 > 0:26:08- There's a sense of permanence about it.- What's lovely is that Amy wanted something like this.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Did she?- This was what she was talking about.- Oh, right.- Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Now, in keeping with Amy's bright interiors,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18the garden furniture needs a bright and funky finish.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24OK, thank you.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27There's a bit of a squiggly line thing going on over here with
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Colin's painting. Jane is absolutely fine, by the way.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33She's obviously done this sort of thing before.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35JANE LAUGHS
0:26:35 > 0:26:37The paint has migrated over here.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Oh, Colin, you might have just ruined everything.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Fortunately, we've got some "de-squiggling" tape.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Just stick that on there.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Colin can now paint up to this line here,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51produced by this tape...
0:26:51 > 0:26:52until his heart's content.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58While the team are going hammer and tongs, I want to find out
0:26:58 > 0:27:02just how hard Amy grafted to get herself a garden at all.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Amy, talk me through your route into teaching, because it wasn't very straightforward, was it?
0:27:08 > 0:27:12No, I did four years at university, but after that
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I thought it would be really simple to go and get a job.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16But, actually, it is really difficult.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20And it took me, I think, over 100 applications, and my nan had to
0:27:20 > 0:27:23help me with stamps and envelopes to...
0:27:23 > 0:27:24to get my applications out there.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27I didn't mind where I moved in the UK,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29as long as I had a job at the end of the day.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31I've done four years at university, there was no way
0:27:31 > 0:27:35I was going back home to not work. I really, really had to try hard.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38So you were willing to move anywhere in the country
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- so that you could be a teacher... - Yes.- ..and fulfil that dream?- Yes.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44But when I found Hampshire, that's where it all fell into place.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I've managed to get my first job quite quickly after that.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- A lot of hard work, you've got yourself your job.- Yes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52What about the home situation?
0:27:52 > 0:27:56At the beginning, it was very difficult. I moved from Wales to Hampshire.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00And luckily, my auntie, who again is really supportive, let me
0:28:00 > 0:28:04stay with her for a few months to get my foot on...feet on the ground
0:28:04 > 0:28:08and to save up a bit of money. And then I sort of rented a place.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11First of all, I rented a room in somebody's house,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13then I rented my own place.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17And I just thought, renting, I was just throwing away my money,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19so I thought, "Right, I'm going to buy something."
0:28:19 > 0:28:22And it just so happened that in Basingstoke they were doing a key worker scheme,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25where if you were a teacher or a nurse, you are somebody
0:28:25 > 0:28:28who had a key job, you could
0:28:28 > 0:28:30get on the property ladder quite easily.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34So you are in this part ownership scheme where you own part of it,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- you've taken on a bit of a mortgage, but you also pay a bit of rent. - Mm-hm.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- And how does that work, then? Will you own it eventually?- Yes.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43You can own as much as you want to.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I started off with a certain percentage,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49and some people will probably keep that for the rest of their lives.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Next year, I'm hoping to take on more.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54And within three years, hopefully own the whole property outright.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56How important is it for you to be a homeowner?
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I just think it is really important.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01It has made me able to put a stamp on my place.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04I've got my personality in my apartment now.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07And I'm not afraid to bring people back, you know, friends and family.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10We get to relax in a nice place that I'm not embarrassed about.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Amy, the facts are, you've worked very hard,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16you've been very dedicated, it has not been easy, you've got yourself
0:29:16 > 0:29:19into a career path, you've got yourself onto the property ladder.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22It is difficult, though, it is a lot of hard work, and you've just
0:29:22 > 0:29:25got to keep going and have the determination to succeed.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29I have lots of ideas for the future, and you've just got to go with it.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Hopefully, someone else you'll be shouting from the rooftops is how much you love your garden
0:29:33 > 0:29:34- a little bit later on.- I hope so.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- Right, let's go get some bits on the shopping list.- OK.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Meanwhile, back at Danny's academy of roof gardening...
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- Dan, can you help me with this screen, I need to off this up at the back?- Of course I can.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47..AJ has bagged himself top marks with that
0:29:47 > 0:29:51blinder of an idea, combining the second bench with the windbreak.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- I just thought we'd come and test this out.- Yeah.- Could do with a little test.- Yeah.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02I'm tired.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05DANNY AND AJ SNORE
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- I don't know. - THEY LAUGH
0:30:07 > 0:30:09- Right then, I tell you what...- Yes?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- Joking aside...- Joking aside.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14..I'll show you a little bit of the surprise for this.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- Please.- We could actually do with Colin's help, as well.- Right, Colin.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Because I want you to test... - Can you come over here, Colin?- Yep.
0:30:21 > 0:30:22Can you pick it up with ease?
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I tell you what, Colin, let me take this end.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- Do you know what...- I'll take this end.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31..It is very hard to move, isn't it? It is hard to move.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Especially for a single girl and everything like that.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38So, if you could just pick up this end up here slightly...
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- and move it around, it would be a lot easier, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- So my idea, piece de resistance... - Wheels.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- ..wheels...- Da, da, da, da, da! - ..are going to go on that end.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- IN HIGH-PITCHED VOICE - Pluto! Hello, Pluto.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52HE WHISTLES
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- IN HIGH-PITCHED VOICE - Pluto! Hello, Pluto!
0:30:58 > 0:31:00I'll tighten that up in a minute with a spanner.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Oh.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- I'll get a spanner on that.- It is OK.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I have to put up with this all the time. If you stand over there and see now if it is straight.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Absolutely fantastic.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- Good work, AJ, that looks great. - AJ, it looks really good.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Time is marching on. With less than two hours left,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21this garden is in desperate need of more greenery,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24greenery that can cope with a novice gardener.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28We've got some rosemary here. And they grow in any soil.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31And they grow on the side of hills in the Mediterranean.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35So, really, they will tolerate anything. And we've got some mint.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37And we'll put the mint in one pot
0:31:37 > 0:31:39and we'll put the rosemary in the other pot.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43So, you know, this is really nigh on impossible to kill.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Novice gardeners do often put their herbs in together.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50Not really knowing what the characteristics of them are.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54I mean, most herbs are fine, but you've just got to be aware of,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58you know, a herb like mint, because it is a thug
0:31:58 > 0:32:00and it will spread.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03So... And it will grow anywhere, it will come up in the cracks of your pavement,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05if you're not careful.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08So, you know, you keep your herbs, your mints,
0:32:08 > 0:32:12make sure you keep it well contained. I mean, I can't stress that enough.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Amy uses a lot of herbs in cooking. - Does she?- Yes.- Oh, brilliant.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18So this, for her, is going to be, well, she's going to be blown away.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Oh, is she? So she was thinking of doing this anyway.- She was.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23We were only discussing it last night,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26she was going to get some little pots and put her own herbs in.
0:32:26 > 0:32:31- So, yes...- That's a stroke of luck, then.- Totally unexpected, totally. - Yeah.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- And it should fit as snug as a bug in a rug.- Yeah.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37And it does. Hey, ho!
0:32:37 > 0:32:41With Danny in charge of the foliage, Amy and I want to find other
0:32:41 > 0:32:44low-maintenance means of decorating her terrace.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I've brought her to a vintage home and garden shop,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49where upcycling is the order of the day.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55- Lisa, there is so much to look at outside.- Always, always.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57That's before we've even got in. This is Amy.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- Hi, nice to meet you.- Hi, nice to meet you.- Amy has a roof terrace.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04We have a list, which is basically lanterns and candles.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- Fab.- Is there anything you can recommend for Amy that would look
0:33:07 > 0:33:12- nice on a roof terrace?- We've got lights that you can have. Candles.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15We've got some candles. Tea lights.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Little earthenware pots you can put candles in.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22So, whatever your style is, we can incorporate.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Lisa, how much of what you do is about upcycling and recycling?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27We do loads of upcycling.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31We recycle crates, we recycle garden stuff, furniture,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33so a massive proportion.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36People want old now. Because it is quality.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38But they want to upcycle it.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40To make it modern. So...
0:33:40 > 0:33:44I've always assumed this would be quite expensive to do,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47sort of buying the furniture, then... Quite time-consuming to do it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- It isn't, though.- OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53You can go to your local, you know, recycling place, a dump,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55charity shop, pick up furniture,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58pick up old bits of garden stuff, paint them.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Distress them or not, so... And you can do it really cheaply.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08A tin of paint costs under £20 and you can get so many pieces,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11so don't worry that it's going to be expensive.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15You wanted a space for entertaining. How important is lighting?
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Lighting is really important
0:34:16 > 0:34:19because there isn't any light, really, on my roof terrace,
0:34:19 > 0:34:24so it would be quite nice for candles and lots of, sort of,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27quite nice lighting. Not too harsh.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Candles would give you that ambient lighting,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32so when you're there with friends, lighting is there
0:34:32 > 0:34:37but it's not in your face, so glassware, painted glassware.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39We do lovely lanterns you stick into pots.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44So, you're on a roof, we can paint pots and stick the lanterns in.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45Lead us to the lanterns.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49I think, slowly, Amy is starting to be reassured
0:34:49 > 0:34:54and believe that her outside space can be as exciting,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56and interesting as her inside space.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Back at the garden, Amy's outside space is about to get a big lift
0:35:01 > 0:35:05and another blast of colour with one of Danny's most novel ideas yet.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Here we go.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13- Very intriguing.- It's wet room flooring. Made from vinyl.
0:35:13 > 0:35:19- That is one hell of a colour. Just look at this. Wow!- Wow!- It's superb.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24The reason why we've gone for the shower flooring, is it's nonslip,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27so when you come out here, if it's been raining and stuff like that,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30there's a bit of water left on it, you won't be slipping anywhere.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31Nice and safe as well.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33And the other great thing, is when she moves,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36she can roll it up and take it with her.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38That is awesome, yeah, oh, my gosh!
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- It's like everything else here. It just packs up...- Pack it up.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- ..and takes away.- Great.- Which is really good.
0:35:44 > 0:35:49If we can just have someone standing on this. We'll lift this.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51One to that corner and one, the other.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55It's lovely, isn't it?
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I would say it needs to come over a good six inches.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00If you're going to have a middle with that...
0:36:00 > 0:36:03If you've got the lamp there, centralise this with the lamp,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05centralise that bench.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Can't we centralise it with the slabs?
0:36:10 > 0:36:13So it's equal distance from that fourth slap as this one.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- See what I mean? - Whatever, whatever, Danny.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20If you want to do it weirdly, then fine.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- We'll just roll it out first. - Roll it out, yeah.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26There's a cup there.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Made-to-measure.- Wow, there we go.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36If you look far and far away, you can probably see the Eiffel Tower.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41- Do you want to centralise it with that?- Now you're talking.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44Still at the vintage garden shop, Amy and I are searching
0:36:44 > 0:36:47for the light in an Aladdin's cave of upcycled wonders.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53For somebody on a budget, let's make our own lanterns using glass jars.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56So, we have these.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59This is one that we've painted just to show people
0:36:59 > 0:37:04and it's painted with chalk paint. It gives it a lovely texture.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08You can distress it back, so you get the light reflecting through it
0:37:08 > 0:37:10and it's really inexpensive.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14You can put wire around them, hang them, as well,
0:37:14 > 0:37:18so you've got them at different levels, different sizes and it just
0:37:18 > 0:37:22gives you something unique, because nobody will have the same as you.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24So, if you paint those, does the light still come through?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Yes, it does, and you can just put a tea light,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31something like this into the bottom and that will give you
0:37:31 > 0:37:35a beautiful light or you can put slightly larger pillar candles in.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Right, so shall we get loads of these?- Yes.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39You grab any more you want.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Let's get them to the counter.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Amy and I leave with armfuls of potential lanterns
0:37:45 > 0:37:46which is just as well,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50because dusk is now only an hour away and Danny and the team
0:37:50 > 0:37:53are furiously fighting the clock, but will they finish in time?
0:37:53 > 0:37:56PHONE RINGS
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- Is that her back? Is Amy back? - Yes, Amy is back.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Could you do me a favour? Could you stall her?- Yeah.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Take her shopping, take down the pub, taken to a club, do anything,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- just stall her.- I'll sort that out now.- Just do a U-turn.- OK.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Well stalled, Danny, but I'm still having a sneak preview
0:38:15 > 0:38:19just as soon as you've finished planting up AJ's bench planters.
0:38:21 > 0:38:26- Hello. Oh, my word!- Hello, Helen.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29This is amazing. Can I sit here?
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- Yeah, absolutely.- I love this space. I think this is great.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Oh, brilliant.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36The one thing Amy said all day, is,
0:38:36 > 0:38:40"Oh, I want to take the outside and the inside and merge them together,
0:38:40 > 0:38:42"make it an extension."
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- Oh, and the herbs.- Yeah. - Is she going to keep them alive?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- Are they Amy proof?- We hope so.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50This rosemary grows in the Mediterranean
0:38:50 > 0:38:54and it grows in any soil and it grows on the side of hills
0:38:54 > 0:38:58and, you know, it gets battered by winds and is perfectly happy.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00She's got to work quite hard to kill that.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02She's got to work hard to kill that.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04It does all right there, it should do a OK here.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07I've brought a contribution. Amy picked them.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10There are lots of different jars in here that will hopefully
0:39:10 > 0:39:14work as lanterns, so would you like me to paint these?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- I've got another job for you, Helen. - Right.- That table over there.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- Can you paint a stripe on it for me? - I think I can manage that.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22- Lead the way.- OK, over here.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Don't you trust me to paint outside the lines?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30- So, this is Amy's existing table... - Yes.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- ..that we're giving a new lease of life.- Absolutely.- OK.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- So this is another form of upcycling. - Which colour would you like?
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Oh, I don't know. What do you reckon? What would you choose?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43I think the blue is a bit more... Hello!
0:39:43 > 0:39:45All right, we'll do the blue, then.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- And Amy is quite a...- "Hello" sort of girl.- Yes.- Brilliant.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51- I'll catch up with you later. - Okey-doke.
0:39:51 > 0:39:57This is a really cheap way to give an old table a new lease of life.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00With a bit of luck, Amy will think this is a brand-new table.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- These are really cool, aren't they?- They're brilliant.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07I think she's chosen very well. Oh, I like this. That's good.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- That kind of goes in with the theme that we've got going on.- That's nice.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14That's great, absolutely brilliant.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Would you like to paint some of these?- Yes.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19I thought, perhaps,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22you could paint these the other colour that we've got.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26With daylight fading, Amy's pots still need to be positioned.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34And when it's finally time to down tools,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37the terrace has been completely transformed.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42This morning, Amy's garden wasn't a garden at all,
0:40:42 > 0:40:46just a bare paved box, a few sad containers and a rather ugly
0:40:46 > 0:40:51storage box, all at the mercy of a punishing easterly wind.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54In only one day, it's undergone a miraculous rebirth
0:40:54 > 0:40:56at the hands of Danny and the team.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Amy was bound by the terms of her lease with no permanent
0:41:01 > 0:41:02alterations allowed.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05She was at a loss as to where to start.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Now, thanks to a movable design with some inventive planting
0:41:08 > 0:41:12and furnishing, it's a chic and contemporary urban retreat
0:41:12 > 0:41:14to be proud of.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Instead of lots of little mismatched containers,
0:41:16 > 0:41:21the use of a few dramatic feature plants in citrus-bright pots
0:41:21 > 0:41:23makes a striking impact.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Combining bespoke storage space with garden furniture is
0:41:27 > 0:41:29the perfect solution for small spaces
0:41:29 > 0:41:33and the addition of the screen gives a gorgeous but functional way
0:41:33 > 0:41:35to defuse those draughts.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Herbs grown in containers are both handy and hardy for a city
0:41:40 > 0:41:45terrace and they might just survive Amy's newfound gusto for gardening.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48The dull and dirty slabs have been spruced up
0:41:48 > 0:41:52and Danny's ingenious use of this eye-catching vinyl bathroom
0:41:52 > 0:41:54flooring brings the whole space together.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04By bringing indoor ideas outside,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Danny has not only created a colourful, stylish roof terrace
0:42:07 > 0:42:11with an abundance of character, he's also given Amy a portable
0:42:11 > 0:42:15garden that can move with her wherever her life takes her next.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19It only remains to be seen if this design gets top marks from teacher.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Oh, my God!- Come right in.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28This is your new garden. What do you think?
0:42:28 > 0:42:33It's just bright and just lovely. Really, really nice.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38I didn't imagine it to be anything like this and it's just brilliant.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40It's beautiful.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43It matches the house and it's got every single
0:42:43 > 0:42:47colour that's in my house from, like, the greens,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51the blues, the pink. I love it. I can't stop smiling.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56I just didn't imagine it to be this nice. Loving the pots.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02I never would have been... Never would have thought about big pots.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05I've always gone for lots of little pots, when, actually, just five
0:43:05 > 0:43:11- bright pots really does make this so much nicer and brighter.- Like it?
0:43:11 > 0:43:14- I love this. That's awesome. - Stops the wind.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- It's a seat, stops the wind. - Storage.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24- Your dad might put a few of his drinks in there.- Thank you.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29- Thank you so much. - My pleasure.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32And look, you've got your herbs.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Yes!
0:43:35 > 0:43:38We've been debating whether they're Amy-proof or not.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40They are, they've got to be.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44- They have to be.- Water, every week. - Every week?- Once a week.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45She's changed.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48She was already talking earlier today about what else she's
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- going to grow in here. You've started a new gardener.- Oh, great.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54- This will give you a great start, won't it?- It's just fantastic.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Mum and Dad have worked hard. - Thank you, as well.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02- I'm just glad you like it.- Thank you.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Danny, another job well done.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09- Thank you.- Well done, Amy. Enjoy your new instant garden.- I will.
0:44:09 > 0:44:10Thank you very much.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13Amy wanted an easy-maintenance roof garden with character,
0:44:13 > 0:44:16where she could wind down after a hard day's work.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19With this design, Danny and the team have created
0:44:19 > 0:44:21a roll-up-and-go removable wonder,
0:44:21 > 0:44:23bursting with colour, where this young
0:44:23 > 0:44:26teacher can really relish her free time.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29Join us next time for another instant garden.