0:00:02 > 0:00:04Beautiful gardens are one of Britain's most glorious sights.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07But if your green space is more mess than majestic,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09making it over can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13especially if you're short on time and money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Well, The Instant Gardener is here.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Ta-da!
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Danny Clark is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25These are really bringing a smile to my face.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Each time, our gardening guru
0:00:26 > 0:00:30will be showing you how to create gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Doesn't that look great?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas
0:00:35 > 0:00:39to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Just continually deadhead
0:00:41 > 0:00:44and you will keep getting that plant to flower.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46He'll be turning garden junk...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Oh, look at that!
0:00:48 > 0:00:49..into garden jewels.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It's going to be used as a planter,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and I think this is going to look absolutely terrific.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59And showing you how to spend a small budget wisely.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01That's why Danny makes me bring a list.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- OK.- Be it on shrubs or...salvage.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Would you like that in your garden?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And because Danny is The Instant Gardener,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14everything you see will happen in a single day.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Oh, thank you so much.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Oh, wow! That's unbelievable!
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Today we're in the historic Scottish county of Fife,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34whose borders take in rolling hills and the expansive shores
0:01:34 > 0:01:37of the Forth and Tay estuaries.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43With views like this, you definitely want to make the most of your outdoor space.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46But the family I'm meeting today have more important considerations
0:01:46 > 0:01:50than just where to place the patio furniture.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55Hello. You must be Gail.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- Yes, hi, nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00- And David? - Yeah, hello. Lovely to meet you.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Lovely to meet you. Right, let's have a look at this garden.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03Come on, let's go.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Gail and David Ewin live in Fife
0:02:07 > 0:02:10with their eight-year-old son Blaydon and Gail's father, Thomas.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Thomas spent most of his life working as a joiner
0:02:14 > 0:02:15and as a fit and able man,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19had rarely seen a doctor until three years ago when Gail noticed
0:02:19 > 0:02:22things were starting to change.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Thomas was diagnosed with vascular dementia and now, aged 83,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27he lives with Gail and David
0:02:27 > 0:02:30because his memory continues to deteriorate.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34As his carer, Gail has put a lot of effort into making the house
0:02:34 > 0:02:38both safe and lovely for her father.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40She'd love to do the same with the garden
0:02:40 > 0:02:42but that comes with problems of its own.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Sounds like a case for The Instant Gardener.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51A few days ago,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Danny swung by Gail's garden to check out the lay of the land.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59It's always a good idea to visit a garden before we start work.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02It gives me an idea of what we're going to do.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Well, my first impression of this garden.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11All I can think at the moment is, "Nice shed."
0:03:11 > 0:03:12The shed is really lovely,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15in comparison to the rest of this space.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Now, what we have here is quite an expanse of stone chippings.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I kind of get the feeling that the people who live here
0:03:24 > 0:03:26might be a bit frightened of gardening
0:03:26 > 0:03:27because there's no plants here.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30I mean, all I can see is pure, hard landscaping.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34I think one of the interesting things about this garden
0:03:34 > 0:03:37is that it is on two levels. I do like that.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40By having this upper-level and this lower level, really,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42what we're talking about is a terraced garden
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and what it lacks here is some retaining.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49So, I think that can be addressed quite easily.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Now, I'm just going to check... Ooh! What's under here?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Very slippery and this looks very soggy.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Look at this. Got boggy conditions here.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01My finger's almost been covered with water.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03So... This is going to influence the way I think
0:04:03 > 0:04:06when I design this garden.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07Now, what we've got here
0:04:07 > 0:04:11is a pretty boring, featureless garden on the face of it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12But do you know what?
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I think we could do something pretty exciting here.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Today, Danny's back to start work.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23But before his design becomes a reality,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27he wants to see what Gail and David make of their space.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30OK, Gail, David. This is Danny.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- Hello, Gail.- Hi, pleased to meet you.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Pleased to meet you. Hello, David. - Nice to meet you.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39I've just been looking around your garden. What's being going on?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Well, when we moved in,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44there was a breeze block wall there which was kind of lying at an angle,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46which collapsed, so we got rid of that.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And then, the grass there was really boggy and marshy and it was terrible
0:04:50 > 0:04:52just to stand on, your feet were sinking in it.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55So we had this marvellous plan - we'll kill the grass.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59So, we went and bought black plastic, covered it in black plastic
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and then we thought, "We've got no idea what we're going to do now."
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- You're at a complete loss as to what to do?- No idea what to do with it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- OK.- We went to a dead-end after the plastic was put down.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I love the way Gail said that as if that was David's idea.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Did you like that? Did you like that? Pass the buck.- You did that!
0:05:15 > 0:05:18What would you like to see in your garden?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Well, to be honest, we would like somewhere for my dad.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Because my dad's got vascular dementia
0:05:23 > 0:05:24and we moved here, just over a year ago,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27so we could all be together and look after my dad.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Yeah.- And it's sad to see that he doesn't have a place to go and do stuff.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Yeah, I think he's really missed sitting out in the garden, somewhere to go.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I just want him to be able to come out of the house when it's a nice day
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and have somewhere to go and somewhere to potter about
0:05:40 > 0:05:43and feel he's got another dimension to his life.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Because, at the minute, how happy are you
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- with him pottering about out here? - Not happy at all.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50He can't venture down those steps.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53There's not a handrail, or anything to hold on to, so...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55He'll maybe sit here on this slabbed area, in a chair,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57but that's as far as he'll go.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00So, very important to have a space that your dad can enjoy.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Definitely.- And get a lot out of.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04But you and your young son live here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07How would you like to use the garden as a family?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Well, just somewhere nice that we can sit, as well.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Yeah.- You know, that we can enjoy the sunshine as a family.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13Plenty to work with here, Danny.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15There's a lot to work with.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16But we are limited with time,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18because we've only got a day to do the garden.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22As you said, time is of the essence. We're going to get out of the way.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- What do you need?- If you can just get a few bits and pieces from here.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Right. OK.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29So, Gail and I will go for some inspiration
0:06:29 > 0:06:31and pick up some bits for you.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- David's going to stay here and help out.- Great. Have a lovely day.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- Right, Dave, let's get cracking. - Come on, then, Gail.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Have fun.- Enjoy. Bye!
0:06:40 > 0:06:43While I whisk Gail away to find some food for thought,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Danny's got a plan to raise this garden out of the doldrums.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49What's the grand plan, Dan?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52David and Gail want a garden for the family.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55but this garden's got some obvious problems.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58So, what we're going to do is flip the garden the other way round.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02And we're going to take the gravel that's up here and put it down there
0:07:02 > 0:07:04and create a new lawn up here.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08And that way the garden will work well with the natural environment.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10And we're going to have a circle in the middle.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14So, I'm going to put a little half circle of gravel just in there.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17And to mirror that, at the bottom part of the terrace,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I'm going to put a semicircle of lawn.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So, one is going to, kind of, mirror the other.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Where it drops down we're going to build a retaining wall.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31And, also, what we're going to do is put a rail in just down here,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35something for Gail's dad to hold on to as he goes down the steps.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37As for the plants,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39we're going to have to introduce bog-loving plants
0:07:39 > 0:07:42because that area down there gets very wet.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It gets absolutely sodden.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46So, we need to work with what we've got.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50And I'm going to put trees in this garden. It's a win-win situation here,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52because the trees can give us height,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56but they're also going to suck up the moisture down there.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59And to kind of complete the journey for Gail's dad,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01we're going to take this seat
0:08:01 > 0:08:03and reposition it over there.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07And, also, we're going to put an arbour in down there,
0:08:07 > 0:08:08so he's got a choice.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10All these visual cues are things that'll help him
0:08:10 > 0:08:12to travel round the garden.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17These steps are going to be part of Gail's dad's journey.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19So, we're going to put plants along here
0:08:19 > 0:08:22that are going to stimulate his senses on his way
0:08:22 > 0:08:24down to the arbour.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I think it's going to look absolutely fantastic.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30So, Danny's going to turn this garden on its head,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34moving the stone chips to the lower terrace and laying lawn on the top
0:08:34 > 0:08:38with a circle of contrasting materials in the centre.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42A retaining wall and handrail will make the slippery slope safer,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45while some thirsty trees and bog plants will work wonders
0:08:45 > 0:08:47on that soggy ground.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48And for Gail's dad,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51some appealing seating will complete the picture.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It's a hugely ambitious project for just one day.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Danny's going to need all the help he can get.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Fortunately, not only does he have David on board,
0:09:03 > 0:09:04but Handyman AJ
0:09:04 > 0:09:06and regular helpers Amyrose and Luke
0:09:06 > 0:09:08have arrived to pick up the slack.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Now, the task we need to do,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14we need to get the gravel down here and so we need to pile that up down there.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Let's get cracking, get it done.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19And while we're doing that, AJ's going to be busy
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- building a retaining wall here. OK?- Great. Thanks very much.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Well, wait till I finish.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Well, David's off to a flying start,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32but AJ's hit the first hurdle before he's even got going.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Surely that's some sort of record.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36My worst nightmare -
0:09:36 > 0:09:39concrete in the wrong place.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45The problem when you hit concrete like this,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49it snowballs everything because it means I've got to come out more.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52It then means there's a lot more of gravel to back fill
0:09:52 > 0:09:56and then soil on top then to make these lovely planting areas.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And... You know, have we got enough?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Haven't we? Have to wait and see.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11This tarp has served the purpose
0:10:11 > 0:10:14of killing anything that's underneath it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16You know, ie the grass that was here,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18which was totally useless to them.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It's left a bit of a mess though, hasn't it?
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Although there are some unintentional bonuses to be found.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28Dave and Gail are keeping the tarp down with some decorative stone.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32So, we definitely need to save these. We're going to recycle them.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I'm tired already, Dan.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- You're tired already?- Yeah. It's been a while.- Been a while?
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I can see you've gone a bit red in the face.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Nearly as red as your shirt.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Don't worry, David, more help is on hand from Gail's grown-up children
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Georgia and Cameron.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53So, if you could help shift this, it would be much appreciated.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56But shifting the gravel has uncovered another surprise
0:10:56 > 0:10:58in this garden. More black plastic.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02When you put the gravel down, assuming you put the gravel down...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- Yes, aye. - ..you put it on that plastic stuff.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Any reason why you did that?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Not any particular. To prevent weeds.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Oh, to prevent weeds, all right.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The best thing to use is this weed suppressant membrane.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Not only keep the weeds down but it allows water to go through,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20to filter through, so it's like a teabag.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- Uh-huh.- So that the water's not sitting on there.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25You don't really want that in this area of the garden.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27I see.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31So, Danny is replacing the plastic that used to cover the lower area
0:11:31 > 0:11:33with this permeable membrane.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Don't worry, it might be designed to suppress weeds
0:11:36 > 0:11:39but that doesn't mean nothing will grow here now.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40I am going to plant down here.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44So, all I need to do is just to cut into the membrane,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47just fold it back and then I'll reveal the soil,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49then I can dig down underneath the earth,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52put the plant in the hole and just backfill
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and then put the membrane back in position.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57That's all you need to do.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01But not everything's going as well elsewhere in the garden.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03AJ has hit an obstacle.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04- All right, AJ?- Hello, mate.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- How's it going?- Good, good, good.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Yeah, you're making good progress at the moment.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- I think we are.- Until now, by the looks of things.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- Yes, yes, we have.- What's the issue?
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Just a little pebble in the way.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- That little pebble. I can see it. - Yeah. Can you get the breaker on it?
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I can get the breaker on it. I've got just the machine
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and, hopefully, we can break it up and shift it.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Using a jackhammer is a job best left
0:12:28 > 0:12:30to those with plenty of experience
0:12:30 > 0:12:31and a pair of steel toecaps.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34But it can make a tricky task much quicker.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48That's it.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52This machine has definitely made light work of this issue.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Top job, chaps. Now there's nothing to hold you back,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59especially now AJ's finally struck it lucky.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Those old concrete foundations don't stick out too far after all.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06In fact, they might come in handy.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Right, then. We're going to put in a retaining wall here.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11One of the easiest ways to do it is to put some posts in
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and build it with sleepers.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17First thing to do is, obviously, get a line in.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19So, all your posts are in line
0:13:19 > 0:13:21for the sleepers to be connected to them.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23So they all look nice and flush.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25We're lucky today, though,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27because there was a retaining wall here at some point
0:13:27 > 0:13:31and we have a straight line of bricks anyway.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So, I'm going to work just, sort of, an inch off from there
0:13:34 > 0:13:35with my posts,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38and then screw the sleepers to the outside of those.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41With the post holes dug out,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43the next step is to cut those posts to length.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I'm just sawing these.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I've measured the depth of what we've got to get in the ground,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51plus three sleepers high, erm,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55and I've ended up meaning that I'm going to have to cut these posts
0:13:55 > 0:13:57in half and then get them in the ground.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02So, one section in the ground, then sleeper on the floor screwed to it,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05second sleeper, third sleeper.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08I love wood.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11With his beloved posts cut to size,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14AJ can fix them into the ground.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17Bit of water in here first.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Rapid setting cement here.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26So, 20 minutes, fingers crossed, it should be set.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, glug!
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Two down, only six more to go.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40While Danny gets the gardening under way,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I'm taking Gail to see a garden
0:14:42 > 0:14:46that's been created with a special purpose in mind.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Gail's after a garden for the whole family,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51but particularly one which caters to the needs of her dad.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54She's not the only one who can see the benefit
0:14:54 > 0:14:57of having an outdoor space for people with dementia.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00OK, Gail.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Have a look at this.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04This is nice, isn't it?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07It's very pretty in - not being rude -
0:15:07 > 0:15:09what could be quite an unattractive space...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- Yes.- Just because of the tin and the walls and everything.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- What they've done is really impressive, isn't it?- I know.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Oh, it's so nice.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20The Forget-Me-Not Garden at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline
0:15:20 > 0:15:23was created with help from ward staff,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27the families of patients with dementia and the local community.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30The perfect place for relaxation and family visits,
0:15:30 > 0:15:34the garden fills the hospital courtyard with vibrant planting
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and features designed to stimulate the senses.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Well, this has been designed specifically for dementia patients.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Mm-hm.- This is a small space, but it's a sensory garden,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49so, different things on the ground for different experience to walk on.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Herbs, flowers, wind chime.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Do you think your dad would enjoy something like this?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Oh, definitely. I like all the features that they've put in here.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00As you say, you know, the different smells and different textures
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and sensory stuff. I love the bird table as well.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06That's nice to think, you know, maybe birds coming into the garden
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and something for him to look at, and the flowers.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13In terms of the gravel and the plastic turf,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15even just having a wander around
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- he'd get a different experience, wouldn't he?- Yeah. Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- You know, kind of different sensory experience.- Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- And it's safe.- Yes, it's safe.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24That's what I like, as well, definitely - and for underfoot.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27That's a major concern for me in the garden for my dad,
0:16:27 > 0:16:28is underfoot's not safe.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Are there things that you think he would like,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- he would make the most of?- The plants, like the pansies and things.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- These are nice and colourful, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Seating area?- Yes, definitely.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- That would be nice. - Would that be useful for the family?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Yeah, definitely, a nice seating area would be lovely.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Then, you know, he can have his lunch outside -
0:16:44 > 0:16:46because he has his lunch just sitting in his room.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48He doesn't like sitting in the - the table.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- He would love that.- Well, as I said, there are a lot of things
0:16:50 > 0:16:53that have been put in here specifically for dementia patients.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54- Uh-huh.- So, let's talk to a lady
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- who can tell us a bit more about why they've done what they've done.- OK.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02While we go off in search of more detailed information,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04back in Gail's own garden,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06two hours have already been eaten up -
0:17:06 > 0:17:10but the shovels are flying and AJ's retaining wall is well under way.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13You might think, "Why is he cutting these with a saw?"
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Well, I'm a bit old school and I like to have a bit of a more...
0:17:18 > 0:17:20..more perfect edge.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22If that's a word, for sawing a sleeper.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25You can use a chainsaw, but once you get a chainsaw in its position,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27start cutting, it's very difficult,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29if you're going wrong at a bit of an angle,
0:17:29 > 0:17:30to actually change it -
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and in the end you have to go straight through it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Some people like that. You've got a rustic look and stuff like that.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Obviously, come back through once I've sawn this
0:17:38 > 0:17:39to see how good the edge is -
0:17:39 > 0:17:41but that's just the way I like it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:45Ready.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Now here's the proof in the pudding.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I am chuffed with that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52It's probably one of the best cuts I've ever done.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Aw, AJ, you really do love your work - and so do we.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Top job, team.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01AJ's getting that retaining wall into place,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03and the gravel is on the move.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07These guys are doing brilliantly well.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I can't believe the progress that's been made.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12And I think we're going to have all this gravel shifted
0:18:12 > 0:18:16from this top level and down to the bottom level very, very soon.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18And AJ is cooking on gas -
0:18:18 > 0:18:20he just can't put a foot wrong today.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Well, so far, anyway.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24Woohoo-hoo!
0:18:24 > 0:18:26That's never happened before.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27All the time. Professional.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Danny, do you get these down south?
0:18:31 > 0:18:33- Thistles?- Yeah. - You get them everywhere.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I think they're worldwide, those things.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37This is our national flower.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Isn't it strange how what we'd regard as a weed
0:18:40 > 0:18:42is your national flower?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44We've got a flower - you've got a weed.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46We're more prickly than you.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47You said it.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51While Danny's been doing his bit for international relations,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54the team have nearly finished shifting the gravel.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59I've got this rotavator, which I'm going to use to till the soil here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02It needs tilling because it needs levelling,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and I need to prepare it for the turf.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Because we're going to do this job in a day, time is very important.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Guys, I've got a ROTIVATIONAL speech for you.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12Oh!
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I see what you did there, Danny.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17There's going to be stones flying around.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18Just wear some safety goggles.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19- Yeah.- All right, then.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Are these OK for you, Danny?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28While Danny remedies the ailing garden in Fife...
0:19:32 > 0:19:36..Gail and I are at the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39where community psychiatric nurse Nicola Hirst hit on a great idea
0:19:39 > 0:19:41for helping her patients.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Talk us through this space.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- How did it come about? - Two years ago,
0:19:46 > 0:19:48we decided to set up a garden
0:19:48 > 0:19:50for the patients in the hospital.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52The ward that we worked in
0:19:52 > 0:19:54was predominantly people with dementia,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56and in the hospital environment,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58we didn't really have an enclosed private space
0:19:58 > 0:20:00that we could enjoy with the patients
0:20:00 > 0:20:02and, obviously, their relatives, as well.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05So, we found the private courtyard within the hospital grounds
0:20:05 > 0:20:07and decided to kind of make it over.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10How important is it to have a space like this for patients?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Very important. Obviously,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15a lot of our patients can be on the ward for a long, long time.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16Outdoors is important -
0:20:16 > 0:20:20a safe space where they can kind of potter around in the garden,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23they've got fresh air, relaxation purposes,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25so it's quite therapeutic for them.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26This garden's been designed
0:20:26 > 0:20:28specifically with dementia patients in mind.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- What have you put in?- Well, we were wanting different textures
0:20:32 > 0:20:34in the garden, so we did the flooring.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36We wanted to have focal points,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39so we looked for local landscapes on the windows
0:20:39 > 0:20:43so that they could reminisce about times gone by.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Height level was important
0:20:44 > 0:20:47because obviously we wanted things attractive at eye level,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49so, hanging baskets, raised flowerbeds,
0:20:49 > 0:20:54so that everybody could, you know, have a shot of planting, digging,
0:20:54 > 0:20:55pottering around,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58so we're hoping to do a bit of bowling in this better weather.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59- Ooh!- You know, we can do
0:20:59 > 0:21:02lots of different activities in here, as well.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04I can see there's obvious benefits for patients,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06but what about for families?
0:21:06 > 0:21:07I mean, is there a kind of social benefit
0:21:07 > 0:21:10in terms of, you know, bumping into other families
0:21:10 > 0:21:11who are dealing with the same thing?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- I imagine that might be quite useful.- That would be amazing,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17because, it is very isolated being in the house, you know,
0:21:17 > 0:21:18on your own with somebody -
0:21:18 > 0:21:21and I'm sure I'm not only person that has that, you know?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23And it's nice to be able to speak to somebody else
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and share, you know, experiences.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Nicola, thank you so much.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30There's loads in here that we love, really impressed with.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Great job, well done. - Thanks very much.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37With over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK alone,
0:21:37 > 0:21:40there are plenty of us who could benefit from a garden
0:21:40 > 0:21:42designed with dementia in mind.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It doesn't have to mean a makeover from the ground up,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46but a few thoughtful tips
0:21:46 > 0:21:50will make your garden more accessible for your loved ones.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Create focal points and visual cues to help direct people
0:21:53 > 0:21:54around the garden.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Paths, seating areas and even sounds
0:21:57 > 0:22:00can help guide visitors from place to place.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04To feel safe in a garden, it helps to have secure boundaries -
0:22:04 > 0:22:07but walls and fences don't have to be boring.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Cover with climbers or reminders, like Nicola's pictures,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12for an interesting feature.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Use painting and accessories which appeal to all the senses.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Textures, colours and smells create an engaging garden experience.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24In Gail and David's own garden,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Danny's been considering how to make the space
0:22:27 > 0:22:29safe and stimulating for Thomas.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31One feature will be the new lawn area.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34So, this needs to be raked,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36we need to add some topsoil and get it nice and level,
0:22:36 > 0:22:37ready for the turfing.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41And while the team carries on,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Danny's learning more about Thomas's needs from son-in-law David.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50It must be hard work for you and Gail, looking after her dad.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53I know she's given up a lot of time for him.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- It's not a problem. - It's not a problem.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- When we're young...- Yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59You know, our parents look after us.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Sure.- So, you want to think you just don't desert them, in a sense.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06He's got very good long-term memory.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07- Yeah.- It's just his short-term memory -
0:23:07 > 0:23:10but, generally, he's still in good spirits,
0:23:10 > 0:23:11and he's got a very good soul.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13He still cracks jokes.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- Oh, does he?- They're very bad, I must say.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16DANNY CHUCKLES
0:23:16 > 0:23:18He didn't want to go into a home or anything,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20so we're going to try and keep him going as long as we can.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22It must be difficult for Gail, though.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I mean, emotionally, it must be hard.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Uh-huh. Yeah, it is, Danny, at times.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31Although she's a very strong person and she's a realistic person.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Yeah.- And we know we have to make the best of it.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Sure. I mean, I can see you guys are half-full merchants,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40not half-empty merchants, and you're very happy people -
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and I think Gail's the same.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Absolutely. She's full of fun and she's a very creative person.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- Sure.- And she's always busy.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Gail's the kindest person I've ever met.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- Yeah.- Everybody that knows her loves her.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- Mmm.- Nothing is too much trouble.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Yeah - so, I suppose, you know, having this garden,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58building this garden, will be a great boost for all of you,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- for the whole family. - Danny, it is all for all of us.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- It is.- Mm.- We're looking forward to that aspect,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- and it's opening up a little chapter for us.- Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Yeah. One thing you won't have to worry about is too much watering
0:24:10 > 0:24:12cos there's enough in there as it is.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But the watery garden shouldn't be a problem with Danny's new plan.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22And the degravelled top level is now ready for a bit of dressing.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Now, topsoil is very fine.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26It's sifted.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29A lot of the stones have been taken out.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32It's been treated in such a way that there are no weeds in there.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34The reason I'm using it is cos it's easy to work with.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Because it's fine, it's easy to work with -
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and also, because it's good quality soil,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41it's going to give the turf the best chance to root.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46And talking of fine and easy to work with...
0:24:47 > 0:24:51There we go. Finished the wall, guys are back-filling,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'm just going to carry on with the steps now.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Great job, guys. That's most of the structural work done.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Now with the rest of the permeable membrane laid down,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Danny needs to mark out his contrasting circles.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Right, the plan here, Dave,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08is just imagine a circle of gravel here.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Uh-huh. Beautiful.- And down here we're going to do the opposite.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Uh-huh.- So, going to have a circle of turf...
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- Lovely.- ..and the rest is going to be gravel.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18What I'll do, I'll mark it out now.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Using a fixed point to attach a bit of string to,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Danny can trace a perfect semicircle and mark it with spray paint.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28But before he can fill his semicircles,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Danny's calling on his flexible friend -
0:25:30 > 0:25:34this metal lawn edging - to define the shapes and retain the gravel.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36And at the bottom of the garden...
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Now I need to spread the gravel, but I need to retain it.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I don't want it going into the neighbour's garden through there.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44So, what I'm going to do
0:25:44 > 0:25:46is just put some gravel boards down, like this...
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and I'm going to place them on the posts
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and that should retain this lot.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Preventing any escaping gravel is a great idea -
0:25:56 > 0:25:59but more is needed to cover the boggy area fully.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Hopefully, Danny's extra chippings are en route.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Oh, that's well timed.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I thought I heard a big truck arrive.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10That's going to be the gravel, which is great.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Let's hope it's going to match the gravel that we've already got.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Only time will tell.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19The gravel looks great -
0:26:19 > 0:26:21but this garden's sorely lacking a bit of greenery.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Time to get some trees in.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28We're going to place an arbour just here for Gail's dad.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Now, I thought it might be a good idea to surround it with trees,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35because I'm thinking he needs a calm serene place
0:26:35 > 0:26:37where to sit and contemplate,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41and I think these trees will give him just that.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46The trees we're planting - it's a tree called Sorbus cashmiriana.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49It's a wonderful tree, and it will grow to about 12 feet high,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52so it won't dominate this space.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55And it will also give a dappled shade - not a block of shade,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57which is what we don't want,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00otherwise we're going to get moss in that grass over there.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04While Danny gets his trees into the ground...
0:27:06 > 0:27:09..I'm finding out a bit more about Gail's family.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10As carer to her father,
0:27:10 > 0:27:15she wants her garden to be a place where every generation of her family
0:27:15 > 0:27:17can feel safe and serene.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21For you, Gail, life has changed dramatically over the last year.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22- Oh, yeah.- Your dad's moved in.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Mm-hm.- You moved together as a family to a new home.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- How is it going?- It's going well, but it has its ups and downs,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31it's been a hard...a hard process, I have to say.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Rather than being a daughter, I'm now, you know, a carer as well,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36as well as being a mum to Blaydon,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39and it's a position that I never envisaged,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42or, selfishly, never wanted in my life, you know?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44I always thought, you know,
0:27:44 > 0:27:45"Oh, my dad, he'll just,
0:27:45 > 0:27:46"he'll go on for ever
0:27:46 > 0:27:47"and he'll always be
0:27:47 > 0:27:48"fit and healthy."
0:27:48 > 0:27:51And, you know, the thought of having to look after somebody else
0:27:51 > 0:27:52is a big responsibility,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55and you know, I could put my dad in a home, but I don't want that,
0:27:55 > 0:27:56and I would never have wanted that.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58It's tough at times, but we're getting there.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59It's a learning process
0:27:59 > 0:28:02when you're living with somebody that's got, you know, dementia.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Your dad is changing, you know -
0:28:04 > 0:28:05he is who he is, but things are changing,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07and he's dealing with challenges every day.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Things that are happening just now, he forgets about,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13but he can remember things from years ago with such clarity.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14Yeah.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16You know - and very clearly -
0:28:16 > 0:28:17and that's what's hard to understand.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20It must be difficult, because at the minute he's kind of stuck
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- in the house, isn't he? - Yeah, yeah. He is, it's like...
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I feel like he's in this little prison.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27You know, he wanders about the house and things,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30and he'll go and he'll sit outside if it's a nice day,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31just out the front in a chair.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34The more things he can have to stimulate his mind, you know,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36people with dementia, the more things they have, you know,
0:28:36 > 0:28:40to keep their mind going and active is better for them.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42You know, he's never going to get any better,
0:28:42 > 0:28:46but at the moment I'll hang on tooth and nail, for as long as possible,
0:28:46 > 0:28:47to...to take care of him.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51But the garden would be so important to give him another element
0:28:51 > 0:28:53to his life, because he loves being outside.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55He's worked outside all his life as a joiner.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58You know, if he could maybe do stuff in the garden,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00and just get to potter about outside would be great -
0:29:00 > 0:29:02and he loves the sunshine.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Any little bit of sunshine, he'll sit outside.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08My dad is such a lovely man, he's amazing.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10He's so kind.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Erm...
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and I just want to give him something back, for being...
0:29:15 > 0:29:17so fantastic to us over the years.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- Sorry.- No, don't apologise.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21He... You know, he's...
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- your dad, isn't he? - I know.- Your dad's your dad!- I know.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27He's just... He's the kindest, gentlest...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31man ever, he's never a bad word for anybody or anything.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32Well, I don't know about you,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35but my family's the light of my life and so you're doing an amazing job.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37There's a lot of people will empathise,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39and a lot of people will be really impressed
0:29:39 > 0:29:41with what you're doing, so well done.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43I'm confident by the end of the day that you will have a garden
0:29:43 > 0:29:45that you can all enjoy as a family.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Right, let's go and get these plants,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- otherwise it'll never get finished. - That's brilliant.- Thank you.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Back in Gail's garden, time is ticking on.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01Well, it's 4:20, now,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04and Helen's due back at about 5:30,
0:30:04 > 0:30:08and I'm looking at what's been done already.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09It's going to be touch-and-go.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10Going to be touch-and-go.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Half the garden has been moved into its new position,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17but the other half still needs turf.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20We've got the topsoil down, we've got it nice and even,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22and I'm going to lay the turf,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25but it's advisable, when you get turf delivered,
0:30:25 > 0:30:27to roll it out within 24 hours.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Don't let it sit there, cos all it'll do is bake,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33and it will go yellow, and it will eventually die.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37I'm just cutting carefully round the edge, like this,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40and that will just slot in nicely.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44Needs to be well watered for the first ten days, until it roots.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Do it mornings and evenings, and then give...
0:30:47 > 0:30:50The water will stay in the soil for that much longer.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53So if you do it sort of during the day,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56that's when evaporation is at its most prevalent.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Now, it's important when laying turf...
0:31:03 > 0:31:05..lay it like bricks.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07What I mean by bricks
0:31:07 > 0:31:11is that you don't want all the joints here in a line.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Because what happens, it's more likely to dry out quickly,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16and you get shrinkage. If you get shrinkage, you're going to get gaps,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19and then you're going to allow weeds to come in those gaps,
0:31:19 > 0:31:20and we don't want that.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29And great use of those off-cuts, Danny -
0:31:29 > 0:31:30waste not, want not!
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Doesn't matter how small a piece, it will still root.
0:31:35 > 0:31:36It'll be fine.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38So, I'm just going to
0:31:38 > 0:31:41make sure that this turf roots.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43So, what I'm going to do now
0:31:43 > 0:31:46is just tap it down with this heavy hammer.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48Just need to go along like this...
0:31:50 > 0:31:53..and what this does, it'll make the...
0:31:53 > 0:31:55It'll flatten out the ground,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58it'll make the turf more even, and, really,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01it just makes it look nicer, just gives it a really nice finish.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05With the turf going down,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08and the stairway to garden heaven under way,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10the team are pulling out all the stops -
0:32:10 > 0:32:13but the garden's still very light on leafy lovelies.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21And that means Gail and I have a mission to fulfil.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24OK. So, Danny is after some specific plants.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Uh-huh.- I am sure we'll find plenty here.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28Oh, I think so.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Danny's asked for some rock roses, plus other bedding plants -
0:32:32 > 0:32:36and with our new-found understanding of dementia-friendly gardens,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39we're looking for seasonal colour at the local garden centre,
0:32:39 > 0:32:41run by Stan Green.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- Stan.- Hi.- Good to see you. - Hi, Helen.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- This is Gail.- Hi.- Hi, Gail.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Pleased to meet you. - Welcome to a very chilly Fife.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49Oh, it's fine.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51We are after some rock rose.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52Yep, I've got some over there.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- If you want to come over, and we'll...- This way?- Yeah.- OK.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57Rock roses just over here.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Otherwise known as...
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Halimium libanotis.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- OK.- Bright yellow flower, evergreen.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Stays low, stays compact.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Early summer flowering.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10It's doing what it does.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Which is...is ideal, if that's the kind of plant you're looking for.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14Beautiful.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16What do we need to know about the rock rose?
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It... It requires sunny spots, sunnier the better.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Free draining, if possible, lighter soils,
0:33:22 > 0:33:24and it will be quite happy just to be planted out.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26And how big's that's going to grow?
0:33:26 > 0:33:28- About 30 centimetres, max.- OK.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32It does more spreading than growing up. Once it gets up, it's going out.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34And it gets a bit denser than it is in the pot here.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36It's giving you quite a lot of ground coverage,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- as well, isn't it?- It is, which is great for weed suppression.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40Yeah. Perfect.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- Perfect, I like that. - Makes life a bit easier.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44After it starts flowering,
0:33:44 > 0:33:48you can prune to shape, to size, wherever it's fitting in, just to...
0:33:48 > 0:33:49to suit where it's going.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51And how long do these last, the little flowers on it?
0:33:51 > 0:33:54The flowers, you'll get a good four to six weeks out of it.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56- Right, that's good, that's lovely. - Perfect!- I like that.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- Six weeks.- Lovely. - They look great, don't they?- I know.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00OK, let's take a few of these.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04We're also after some other colourful bedding plants.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- Can you recommend any? - Plenty of bedding.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- Cracking time of year. There's lots to see.- Excellent.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09- This way.- Perfect.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18With less than two hours to go, Team Danny needs to get a move on,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20and get some bog plants in the ground.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23It would be a good idea to make this part formal,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26but the garden's very formal, the structure's very formal,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29so I kind of want to do the opposite with the planting.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32I want it to look more natural, more naturalistic,
0:34:32 > 0:34:33so I'm just placing the plants
0:34:33 > 0:34:35almost like I've dropped them out of the sky,
0:34:35 > 0:34:37and I'm going to plant them where they land.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Now, just look at this beauty.
0:34:41 > 0:34:42It's a lovely plant.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44I really like it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47It's an evergreen plant, and it's ideal for these conditions.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50And it's called a heucherella.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Now, the heucherella is a cross
0:34:52 > 0:34:55between a heuchera and a tiarella.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Now, this plant loves these conditions.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01It likes moist conditions, and it will be really happy here.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04And these flowers will last till mid-autumn,
0:35:04 > 0:35:06and when the leaves begin to fade,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09just chop it right back and it will all rejuvenate.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16While AJ puts the finishing touches to his banisters...
0:35:16 > 0:35:17Pop!
0:35:17 > 0:35:19..and the new arbour is assembled...
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Danny's got his eagle eyes on some useful additions
0:35:22 > 0:35:24to his planting scheme out the front.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27There's just something I wanted to ask you.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- Uh-huh?- See these plants you've got here?
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- Yeah.- They're quite cramped. You've got a lot in a small area.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- Yeah.- Do you think I could dig some out?
0:35:35 > 0:35:36- Uh-huh. - And place them near the arbour
0:35:36 > 0:35:39that we're going to install in your garden, and they can grow up it.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- Yes, sounds good.- I mean, you've got some honeysuckles,
0:35:42 > 0:35:43you've got some clematis,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45- and I thought... - I actually thought they were all
0:35:45 > 0:35:47starting to die, Danny.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Well, some of them aren't doing very well, but they'll be fine.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52I mean, they are doing OK.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Yeah. Help yourself, Danny.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Thanks very much, because they're a bit wasted out here.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58You don't need as many as you've got,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00so perhaps we could just take a few and take them out the back.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02- Absolutely. - Will you be happy with that?
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- Yeah.- Brilliant.- More than.- Great.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09I can see all the roots, there.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10Yeah, that's what we want.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13We want to get as much of the root out as possible.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16You know, and that's the best way to get it.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Loads of the roots, and that can go round the back.- OK.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Great way to make the plants and the budget go further.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Only another 50 things to plant and you'll be done, Danny.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I'd like to say it's just finishing touches,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30but we've got a bit of a way to go before that garden's finished.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33I reckon we've got at least another hour,
0:36:33 > 0:36:34so we'd better get going.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44Danny might be eking out the existing plants as best he can,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46but it's a big garden to fill,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48even with the ones that David let him move,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50so we need to pick up some more,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53with the emphasis on colour - and lots of it.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- When it comes to bedding plants... - Yeah?- Where do you begin?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59The good thing about bedding plants, they're straightforward.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02They all like very similar conditions,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06and if you've got it right for one, it'll be the same for all of them -
0:37:06 > 0:37:08and it's down to colour. Buy with your eyes,
0:37:08 > 0:37:10just buy what you like.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Bedding plants are fast-growing decorative plants
0:37:13 > 0:37:16for temporary displays that will fill your borders or containers
0:37:16 > 0:37:18with seasonal colour.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Other than colours, particularly as we're looking at a sensory garden,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23what can bedding plants offer?
0:37:23 > 0:37:24The good thing about some of these
0:37:24 > 0:37:29is that they can bring not only colour, but you have texture.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Picking this one up here. - Ah, I like these.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- That's nice, isn't it?- Helichrysum. - Lambs' ears.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35Lovely lambs' lugs. Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Would your dad...? - Oh, he'd love that.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39And Blaydon would love that, cos it's soft,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41and it's just, it's like velvet, isn't it?
0:37:41 > 0:37:44And you get different colours of this, as well.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45- Oh, do you? - And that one cascades down.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47That's lovely, I like that.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Well, do you know what, Stan?
0:37:48 > 0:37:51There is so much to think about, but thank you for that advice.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53- Not at all. - Thank you for those top tips.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55You heard the man - buy with your eyes.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57And we don't need telling twice.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58Gazanias.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Oh, look, there's a massive tray!
0:38:00 > 0:38:02- Let's just get that. - Oh, my goodness.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- Oh, my God!- Yeah! Why not?!
0:38:05 > 0:38:07What about osteospermum?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Some white, or some cream ones,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- they would go well against the orange.- Yeah.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- These ones here?- Yeah.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Good, deffo.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16That is my favourite colour.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- This all looks awesome. - We stuck to the list, and added.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20All colour-coordinated.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22- We did good, girl.- Yeah!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26OK, I think we've got a good collection - but what about...
0:38:26 > 0:38:27- I know.- Some of... Yeah?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30That Stan said, I think so, cos they're nice and soft,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- and I like them.- And your dad will like to touch them.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Dad'll love them, Blaydon'll love them, David'll love them...
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and Danny will love that we've got them, too.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41We've fulfilled our side of the bargain,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43which means Gail can take a well-earned break.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50But I need to find out if the team are anywhere near finishing
0:38:50 > 0:38:52this highly ambitious makeover.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- What a difference!- Hello, Helen.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- How are you?- You've been busy! - We have been busy, yes.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58- Looks great.- Yeah.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Still quite a lot to do.- Mm-hm.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Better get my skates on now, hadn't I?!
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Those plants aren't going to dig themselves in!
0:39:05 > 0:39:08No rest for the wicked, eh, Danny?
0:39:08 > 0:39:11It's called bergenia - or you may know it as elephant's ears,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14and it will spread, it will send out little runners,
0:39:14 > 0:39:17and you will have a carpet of this stuff.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Time for the salvaged clematis.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I've just planted this Clematis montana.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Now, it's a beautiful plant, and once it settled in,
0:39:26 > 0:39:28it will just romp away.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Now, I'm trying to train it to grow through this arbour,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35so I'm just tying it in, and hopefully, once it's all tied in,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37it can find its way round.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Which will be great for Gail's dad.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43With just a few minutes until Gail returns,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and brings her dad and young son to see the transformation,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50we need to get this garden as spick-and-span as possible -
0:39:50 > 0:39:53and, for once, I'm even delegated to plant a tree.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Promotion!
0:39:54 > 0:39:57I feel like I've been digging this hole for about two hours.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59It's probably only been about five minutes -
0:39:59 > 0:40:02but the more you dig it out, the more the chippings cascade in.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04But I think between the two of us...
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Go on, Cameron. See if it fits.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Yes!
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Perfecto!
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Now, this is a good idea.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Put stones around the feet of a clematis.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I knew these would come in handy.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19If you believe that, you'll believe anything.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Clematis roots like to be kept cool,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24so these stones should help them thrive...
0:40:25 > 0:40:28..and with the family's existing bench placed into its new position,
0:40:28 > 0:40:30finally the garden is ready.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34What do you think, do you like it?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36- Yeah.- I do.- It's great.- Yeah? - The garden looks amazing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- Think your mum'll like it? - Yeah, I think she will.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- She'll love it - and my grandad. - And your grandad?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- That's good. I can only thank you. - Thank you very much.- Cheers.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- Thank you very much.- Thank you. - You've been great.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49At the start of the day,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51this plain and plantless garden
0:40:51 > 0:40:55was stuck in a limbo of plastic sheeting, boggy ground,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and surfaces unsafe for Gail's elderly father -
0:40:58 > 0:41:01but now, Danny has turned it on its head.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06With an ingenious swap of waterlogged turf for stone,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and stone for fresh new turf.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13All enhanced with vivid colour, and an array
0:41:13 > 0:41:16of spanking new plants.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19AJ's retaining wall has turned the tumbledown terrace
0:41:19 > 0:41:22into a sturdy and stylish feature,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26while the unsteady steps are now graced with a handmade handrail,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28leading down through a sea of colour.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34The barren lower terrace is now bursting with bog-loving foliage
0:41:34 > 0:41:36as well as three gorgeous new trees
0:41:36 > 0:41:38for eye-level interest.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Danny's made the most
0:41:42 > 0:41:44of the neglected seating,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46and reused the family's own overcrowded climbers
0:41:46 > 0:41:48on a brand-new arbour for grandad.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Every corner of this garden
0:41:52 > 0:41:55is overflowing with sensory showstoppers,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58laid out in a striking formal design.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Hard to believe it was all done in one day,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03and on a shoestring budget.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Now, all that's left is to do is to find out what Gail, her son Blaydon
0:42:06 > 0:42:08and father Thomas make of it all.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- Watch the step.- Right, oh...
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Oh, I see the slabs!
0:42:15 > 0:42:17That's OK, watch Grandad doesn't fall out.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18- He's out!- And look.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- Can I look? - That hits you, doesn't it?!
0:42:20 > 0:42:21Oh, my goodness!
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Oh, my God, is this the garden?! - Tremendous, oh!
0:42:29 > 0:42:30- My goodness.- Tom's off!
0:42:30 > 0:42:31He's exploring his new garden.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- I know! He likes it!- Beautiful!
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Do you like it?
0:42:35 > 0:42:36Oh, my God, it's amazing!
0:42:38 > 0:42:41This just doesn't look like the same place.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Oh, thank you so much. Thank you!
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Look at all these beautiful plants and everything.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Oh, and they two had to have the prime seat, didn't they?!
0:42:53 > 0:42:54THEY LAUGH
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Dad, what do you think of this, then, eh?
0:42:57 > 0:42:59- Terrific.- This is so you can come out, now,
0:42:59 > 0:43:01and just have somewhere nice to...
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- Yeah!- ..to sit in the sunshine, and...
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Look at that seat you've got down there!
0:43:05 > 0:43:06We'll be fighting for that.
0:43:06 > 0:43:07I think so.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Can I go and look at the plants and stuff?
0:43:09 > 0:43:12- Of course you can - go and explore, it's your garden!- Oh!
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Oh, thank you for helping.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Thank you!
0:43:15 > 0:43:17It's worth it when you see that reaction, isn't it?
0:43:17 > 0:43:19All worth it.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- Come and sit in your seat.- Oh-hoh!
0:43:22 > 0:43:24I just can't say thank you enough to everybody.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Thank you so much for everything.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29All your hard work today's just amazing.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31I can't believe that this is our garden.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35No, I mean, the amount of stuff that's in there, it's unbelievable.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37You're right, there's a lot in the garden up there
0:43:37 > 0:43:40- that you probably haven't had a chance to look at yet.- God, no!
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Look at all the plants round the edge and everything.
0:43:42 > 0:43:43Oh, my goodness, I just...
0:43:43 > 0:43:46I'm speechless. Yous are just...
0:43:46 > 0:43:48You're miracle workers.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- Do you like it, Tom? - Thank you so much.- Yeah, definitely.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54It's beautiful. Everything all fits.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56It's like that's a jigsaw.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00- Yeah.- Everything just fits, it all goes round.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02Well done, Cameron - enjoy your garden, Tom.
0:44:02 > 0:44:03- Right, thank you.- Thank you.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07- Thank you for letting us gate-crash your house.- Oh, no problem!
0:44:07 > 0:44:08- Enjoy it.- Thank you.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- It's been fun.- It has been fun.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12I know this garden was designed with Tom in mind,
0:44:12 > 0:44:13and Tom clearly loves it.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15It's a total transformation.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17This morning, it wasn't usable for anybody.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It wasn't really safe.
0:44:19 > 0:44:24Now they have a space not just for Tom but for Blaydon and...
0:44:24 > 0:44:27perhaps even more importantly, for Gail, as well.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31Congratulations, Danny, on a spectacular instant garden.