Episode 10 The Instant Gardener

Beautiful gardens are one of Britain's most glorious sights.

But if your green space is more mess than majestic,

making it over can be a daunting prospect,

especially if you're short on time and money.

Well, The Instant Gardener is here.

Ta-da!

Danny Clark is an expert at transforming gardens.

These are really bringing a smile to my face.

Each time, our gardening guru

will be showing you how to create gorgeous garden makeovers.

Doesn't that look great?

Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas

to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.

Just continually deadhead

and you will keep getting that plant to flower.

He'll be turning garden junk...

Oh, look at that!

..into garden jewels.

It's going to be used as a planter,

and I think this is going to look absolutely terrific.

And showing you how to spend a small budget wisely.

That's why Danny makes me bring a list.

-OK.

-Be it on shrubs or...salvage.

Would you like that in your garden?

And because Danny is The Instant Gardener,

everything you see will happen in a single day.

Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, wow! That's unbelievable!

Today we're in the historic Scottish county of Fife,

whose borders take in rolling hills and the expansive shores

of the Forth and Tay estuaries.

With views like this, you definitely want to make the most of your outdoor space.

But the family I'm meeting today have more important considerations

than just where to place the patio furniture.

Hello. You must be Gail.

-Yes, hi, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-And David?

-Yeah, hello. Lovely to meet you.

Lovely to meet you. Right, let's have a look at this garden.

Come on, let's go.

Gail and David Ewin live in Fife

with their eight-year-old son Blaydon and Gail's father, Thomas.

Thomas spent most of his life working as a joiner

and as a fit and able man,

had rarely seen a doctor until three years ago when Gail noticed

things were starting to change.

Thomas was diagnosed with vascular dementia and now, aged 83,

he lives with Gail and David

because his memory continues to deteriorate.

As his carer, Gail has put a lot of effort into making the house

both safe and lovely for her father.

She'd love to do the same with the garden

but that comes with problems of its own.

Sounds like a case for The Instant Gardener.

A few days ago,

Danny swung by Gail's garden to check out the lay of the land.

It's always a good idea to visit a garden before we start work.

It gives me an idea of what we're going to do.

Well, my first impression of this garden.

All I can think at the moment is, "Nice shed."

The shed is really lovely,

in comparison to the rest of this space.

Now, what we have here is quite an expanse of stone chippings.

I kind of get the feeling that the people who live here

might be a bit frightened of gardening

because there's no plants here.

I mean, all I can see is pure, hard landscaping.

I think one of the interesting things about this garden

is that it is on two levels. I do like that.

By having this upper-level and this lower level, really,

what we're talking about is a terraced garden

and what it lacks here is some retaining.

So, I think that can be addressed quite easily.

Now, I'm just going to check... Ooh! What's under here?

Very slippery and this looks very soggy.

Look at this. Got boggy conditions here.

My finger's almost been covered with water.

So... This is going to influence the way I think

when I design this garden.

Now, what we've got here

is a pretty boring, featureless garden on the face of it.

But do you know what?

I think we could do something pretty exciting here.

Today, Danny's back to start work.

But before his design becomes a reality,

he wants to see what Gail and David make of their space.

OK, Gail, David. This is Danny.

-Hello, Gail.

-Hi, pleased to meet you.

-Pleased to meet you. Hello, David.

-Nice to meet you.

I've just been looking around your garden. What's being going on?

Well, when we moved in,

there was a breeze block wall there which was kind of lying at an angle,

which collapsed, so we got rid of that.

And then, the grass there was really boggy and marshy and it was terrible

just to stand on, your feet were sinking in it.

So we had this marvellous plan - we'll kill the grass.

So, we went and bought black plastic, covered it in black plastic

and then we thought, "We've got no idea what we're going to do now."

-You're at a complete loss as to what to do?

-No idea what to do with it.

-OK.

-We went to a dead-end after the plastic was put down.

I love the way Gail said that as if that was David's idea.

-Did you like that? Did you like that? Pass the buck.

-You did that!

What would you like to see in your garden?

Well, to be honest, we would like somewhere for my dad.

Because my dad's got vascular dementia

and we moved here, just over a year ago,

so we could all be together and look after my dad.

-Yeah.

-And it's sad to see that he doesn't have a place to go and do stuff.

Yeah, I think he's really missed sitting out in the garden, somewhere to go.

I just want him to be able to come out of the house when it's a nice day

and have somewhere to go and somewhere to potter about

and feel he's got another dimension to his life.

Because, at the minute, how happy are you

-with him pottering about out here?

-Not happy at all.

He can't venture down those steps.

There's not a handrail, or anything to hold on to, so...

He'll maybe sit here on this slabbed area, in a chair,

but that's as far as he'll go.

So, very important to have a space that your dad can enjoy.

-Definitely.

-And get a lot out of.

But you and your young son live here.

How would you like to use the garden as a family?

Well, just somewhere nice that we can sit, as well.

-Yeah.

-You know, that we can enjoy the sunshine as a family.

Plenty to work with here, Danny.

There's a lot to work with.

But we are limited with time,

because we've only got a day to do the garden.

As you said, time is of the essence. We're going to get out of the way.

-What do you need?

-If you can just get a few bits and pieces from here.

Right. OK.

So, Gail and I will go for some inspiration

and pick up some bits for you.

-David's going to stay here and help out.

-Great. Have a lovely day.

-Right, Dave, let's get cracking.

-Come on, then, Gail.

-Have fun.

-Enjoy. Bye!

While I whisk Gail away to find some food for thought,

Danny's got a plan to raise this garden out of the doldrums.

What's the grand plan, Dan?

David and Gail want a garden for the family.

but this garden's got some obvious problems.

So, what we're going to do is flip the garden the other way round.

And we're going to take the gravel that's up here and put it down there

and create a new lawn up here.

And that way the garden will work well with the natural environment.

And we're going to have a circle in the middle.

So, I'm going to put a little half circle of gravel just in there.

And to mirror that, at the bottom part of the terrace,

I'm going to put a semicircle of lawn.

So, one is going to, kind of, mirror the other.

Where it drops down we're going to build a retaining wall.

And, also, what we're going to do is put a rail in just down here,

something for Gail's dad to hold on to as he goes down the steps.

As for the plants,

we're going to have to introduce bog-loving plants

because that area down there gets very wet.

It gets absolutely sodden.

So, we need to work with what we've got.

And I'm going to put trees in this garden. It's a win-win situation here,

because the trees can give us height,

but they're also going to suck up the moisture down there.

And to kind of complete the journey for Gail's dad,

we're going to take this seat

and reposition it over there.

And, also, we're going to put an arbour in down there,

so he's got a choice.

All these visual cues are things that'll help him

to travel round the garden.

These steps are going to be part of Gail's dad's journey.

So, we're going to put plants along here

that are going to stimulate his senses on his way

down to the arbour.

I think it's going to look absolutely fantastic.

So, Danny's going to turn this garden on its head,

moving the stone chips to the lower terrace and laying lawn on the top

with a circle of contrasting materials in the centre.

A retaining wall and handrail will make the slippery slope safer,

while some thirsty trees and bog plants will work wonders

on that soggy ground.

And for Gail's dad,

some appealing seating will complete the picture.

It's a hugely ambitious project for just one day.

Danny's going to need all the help he can get.

Fortunately, not only does he have David on board,

but Handyman AJ

and regular helpers Amyrose and Luke

have arrived to pick up the slack.

Now, the task we need to do,

we need to get the gravel down here and so we need to pile that up down there.

Let's get cracking, get it done.

And while we're doing that, AJ's going to be busy

-building a retaining wall here. OK?

-Great. Thanks very much.

Well, wait till I finish.

Well, David's off to a flying start,

but AJ's hit the first hurdle before he's even got going.

Surely that's some sort of record.

My worst nightmare -

concrete in the wrong place.

The problem when you hit concrete like this,

it snowballs everything because it means I've got to come out more.

It then means there's a lot more of gravel to back fill

and then soil on top then to make these lovely planting areas.

And... You know, have we got enough?

Haven't we? Have to wait and see.

This tarp has served the purpose

of killing anything that's underneath it.

You know, ie the grass that was here,

which was totally useless to them.

It's left a bit of a mess though, hasn't it?

Although there are some unintentional bonuses to be found.

Dave and Gail are keeping the tarp down with some decorative stone.

So, we definitely need to save these. We're going to recycle them.

I'm tired already, Dan.

-You're tired already?

-Yeah. It's been a while.

-Been a while?

I can see you've gone a bit red in the face.

Nearly as red as your shirt.

Don't worry, David, more help is on hand from Gail's grown-up children

Georgia and Cameron.

So, if you could help shift this, it would be much appreciated.

But shifting the gravel has uncovered another surprise

in this garden. More black plastic.

When you put the gravel down, assuming you put the gravel down...

-Yes, aye.

-..you put it on that plastic stuff.

Any reason why you did that?

Not any particular. To prevent weeds.

Oh, to prevent weeds, all right.

The best thing to use is this weed suppressant membrane.

Not only keep the weeds down but it allows water to go through,

to filter through, so it's like a teabag.

-Uh-huh.

-So that the water's not sitting on there.

You don't really want that in this area of the garden.

I see.

So, Danny is replacing the plastic that used to cover the lower area

with this permeable membrane.

Don't worry, it might be designed to suppress weeds

but that doesn't mean nothing will grow here now.

I am going to plant down here.

So, all I need to do is just to cut into the membrane,

just fold it back and then I'll reveal the soil,

then I can dig down underneath the earth,

put the plant in the hole and just backfill

and then put the membrane back in position.

That's all you need to do.

But not everything's going as well elsewhere in the garden.

AJ has hit an obstacle.

-All right, AJ?

-Hello, mate.

-How's it going?

-Good, good, good.

Yeah, you're making good progress at the moment.

-I think we are.

-Until now, by the looks of things.

-Yes, yes, we have.

-What's the issue?

Just a little pebble in the way.

-That little pebble. I can see it.

-Yeah. Can you get the breaker on it?

I can get the breaker on it. I've got just the machine

and, hopefully, we can break it up and shift it.

Using a jackhammer is a job best left

to those with plenty of experience

and a pair of steel toecaps.

But it can make a tricky task much quicker.

That's it.

This machine has definitely made light work of this issue.

Top job, chaps. Now there's nothing to hold you back,

especially now AJ's finally struck it lucky.

Those old concrete foundations don't stick out too far after all.

In fact, they might come in handy.

Right, then. We're going to put in a retaining wall here.

One of the easiest ways to do it is to put some posts in

and build it with sleepers.

First thing to do is, obviously, get a line in.

So, all your posts are in line

for the sleepers to be connected to them.

So they all look nice and flush.

We're lucky today, though,

because there was a retaining wall here at some point

and we have a straight line of bricks anyway.

So, I'm going to work just, sort of, an inch off from there

with my posts,

and then screw the sleepers to the outside of those.

With the post holes dug out,

the next step is to cut those posts to length.

I'm just sawing these.

I've measured the depth of what we've got to get in the ground,

plus three sleepers high, erm,

and I've ended up meaning that I'm going to have to cut these posts

in half and then get them in the ground.

So, one section in the ground, then sleeper on the floor screwed to it,

second sleeper, third sleeper.

I love wood.

With his beloved posts cut to size,

AJ can fix them into the ground.

Bit of water in here first.

Rapid setting cement here.

So, 20 minutes, fingers crossed, it should be set.

Glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, glug!

Two down, only six more to go.

While Danny gets the gardening under way,

I'm taking Gail to see a garden

that's been created with a special purpose in mind.

Gail's after a garden for the whole family,

but particularly one which caters to the needs of her dad.

She's not the only one who can see the benefit

of having an outdoor space for people with dementia.

OK, Gail.

Have a look at this.

This is nice, isn't it?

It's very pretty in - not being rude -

what could be quite an unattractive space...

-Yes.

-Just because of the tin and the walls and everything.

-What they've done is really impressive, isn't it?

-I know.

Oh, it's so nice.

The Forget-Me-Not Garden at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline

was created with help from ward staff,

the families of patients with dementia and the local community.

The perfect place for relaxation and family visits,

the garden fills the hospital courtyard with vibrant planting

and features designed to stimulate the senses.

Well, this has been designed specifically for dementia patients.

-Mm-hm.

-This is a small space, but it's a sensory garden,

so, different things on the ground for different experience to walk on.

Herbs, flowers, wind chime.

Do you think your dad would enjoy something like this?

Oh, definitely. I like all the features that they've put in here.

As you say, you know, the different smells and different textures

and sensory stuff. I love the bird table as well.

That's nice to think, you know, maybe birds coming into the garden

and something for him to look at, and the flowers.

In terms of the gravel and the plastic turf,

even just having a wander around

-he'd get a different experience, wouldn't he?

-Yeah. Yeah.

-You know, kind of different sensory experience.

-Yeah.

-And it's safe.

-Yes, it's safe.

That's what I like, as well, definitely - and for underfoot.

That's a major concern for me in the garden for my dad,

is underfoot's not safe.

Are there things that you think he would like,

-he would make the most of?

-The plants, like the pansies and things.

-These are nice and colourful, aren't they?

-Yeah.

-Seating area?

-Yes, definitely.

-That would be nice.

-Would that be useful for the family?

Yeah, definitely, a nice seating area would be lovely.

Then, you know, he can have his lunch outside -

because he has his lunch just sitting in his room.

He doesn't like sitting in the - the table.

-He would love that.

-Well, as I said, there are a lot of things

that have been put in here specifically for dementia patients.

-Uh-huh.

-So, let's talk to a lady

-who can tell us a bit more about why they've done what they've done.

-OK.

While we go off in search of more detailed information,

back in Gail's own garden,

two hours have already been eaten up -

but the shovels are flying and AJ's retaining wall is well under way.

You might think, "Why is he cutting these with a saw?"

Well, I'm a bit old school and I like to have a bit of a more...

..more perfect edge.

If that's a word, for sawing a sleeper.

You can use a chainsaw, but once you get a chainsaw in its position,

start cutting, it's very difficult,

if you're going wrong at a bit of an angle,

to actually change it -

and in the end you have to go straight through it.

Some people like that. You've got a rustic look and stuff like that.

Obviously, come back through once I've sawn this

to see how good the edge is -

but that's just the way I like it.

Ready.

Now here's the proof in the pudding.

I am chuffed with that.

It's probably one of the best cuts I've ever done.

Aw, AJ, you really do love your work - and so do we.

Top job, team.

AJ's getting that retaining wall into place,

and the gravel is on the move.

These guys are doing brilliantly well.

I can't believe the progress that's been made.

And I think we're going to have all this gravel shifted

from this top level and down to the bottom level very, very soon.

And AJ is cooking on gas -

he just can't put a foot wrong today.

Well, so far, anyway.

Woohoo-hoo!

That's never happened before.

All the time. Professional.

Danny, do you get these down south?

-Thistles?

-Yeah.

-You get them everywhere.

I think they're worldwide, those things.

This is our national flower.

Isn't it strange how what we'd regard as a weed

is your national flower?

We've got a flower - you've got a weed.

We're more prickly than you.

You said it.

While Danny's been doing his bit for international relations,

the team have nearly finished shifting the gravel.

I've got this rotavator, which I'm going to use to till the soil here.

It needs tilling because it needs levelling,

and I need to prepare it for the turf.

Because we're going to do this job in a day, time is very important.

Guys, I've got a ROTIVATIONAL speech for you.

Oh!

I see what you did there, Danny.

There's going to be stones flying around.

Just wear some safety goggles.

-Yeah.

-All right, then.

Are these OK for you, Danny?

While Danny remedies the ailing garden in Fife...

..Gail and I are at the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline,

where community psychiatric nurse Nicola Hirst hit on a great idea

for helping her patients.

Talk us through this space.

-How did it come about?

-Two years ago,

we decided to set up a garden

for the patients in the hospital.

The ward that we worked in

was predominantly people with dementia,

and in the hospital environment,

we didn't really have an enclosed private space

that we could enjoy with the patients

and, obviously, their relatives, as well.

So, we found the private courtyard within the hospital grounds

and decided to kind of make it over.

How important is it to have a space like this for patients?

Very important. Obviously,

a lot of our patients can be on the ward for a long, long time.

Outdoors is important -

a safe space where they can kind of potter around in the garden,

they've got fresh air, relaxation purposes,

so it's quite therapeutic for them.

This garden's been designed

specifically with dementia patients in mind.

-What have you put in?

-Well, we were wanting different textures

in the garden, so we did the flooring.

We wanted to have focal points,

so we looked for local landscapes on the windows

so that they could reminisce about times gone by.

Height level was important

because obviously we wanted things attractive at eye level,

so, hanging baskets, raised flowerbeds,

so that everybody could, you know, have a shot of planting, digging,

pottering around,

so we're hoping to do a bit of bowling in this better weather.

-Ooh!

-You know, we can do

lots of different activities in here, as well.

I can see there's obvious benefits for patients,

but what about for families?

I mean, is there a kind of social benefit

in terms of, you know, bumping into other families

who are dealing with the same thing?

-I imagine that might be quite useful.

-That would be amazing,

because, it is very isolated being in the house, you know,

on your own with somebody -

and I'm sure I'm not only person that has that, you know?

And it's nice to be able to speak to somebody else

and share, you know, experiences.

Nicola, thank you so much.

There's loads in here that we love, really impressed with.

-Great job, well done.

-Thanks very much.

With over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK alone,

there are plenty of us who could benefit from a garden

designed with dementia in mind.

It doesn't have to mean a makeover from the ground up,

but a few thoughtful tips

will make your garden more accessible for your loved ones.

Create focal points and visual cues to help direct people

around the garden.

Paths, seating areas and even sounds

can help guide visitors from place to place.

To feel safe in a garden, it helps to have secure boundaries -

but walls and fences don't have to be boring.

Cover with climbers or reminders, like Nicola's pictures,

for an interesting feature.

Use painting and accessories which appeal to all the senses.

Textures, colours and smells create an engaging garden experience.

In Gail and David's own garden,

Danny's been considering how to make the space

safe and stimulating for Thomas.

One feature will be the new lawn area.

So, this needs to be raked,

we need to add some topsoil and get it nice and level,

ready for the turfing.

And while the team carries on,

Danny's learning more about Thomas's needs from son-in-law David.

It must be hard work for you and Gail, looking after her dad.

I know she's given up a lot of time for him.

-It's not a problem.

-It's not a problem.

-When we're young...

-Yeah.

You know, our parents look after us.

-Sure.

-So, you want to think you just don't desert them, in a sense.

He's got very good long-term memory.

-Yeah.

-It's just his short-term memory -

but, generally, he's still in good spirits,

and he's got a very good soul.

He still cracks jokes.

-Oh, does he?

-They're very bad, I must say.

DANNY CHUCKLES

He didn't want to go into a home or anything,

so we're going to try and keep him going as long as we can.

It must be difficult for Gail, though.

I mean, emotionally, it must be hard.

Uh-huh. Yeah, it is, Danny, at times.

Although she's a very strong person and she's a realistic person.

-Yeah.

-And we know we have to make the best of it.

Sure. I mean, I can see you guys are half-full merchants,

not half-empty merchants, and you're very happy people -

and I think Gail's the same.

Absolutely. She's full of fun and she's a very creative person.

-Sure.

-And she's always busy.

Gail's the kindest person I've ever met.

-Yeah.

-Everybody that knows her loves her.

-Mmm.

-Nothing is too much trouble.

Yeah - so, I suppose, you know, having this garden,

building this garden, will be a great boost for all of you,

-for the whole family.

-Danny, it is all for all of us.

-It is.

-Mm.

-We're looking forward to that aspect,

-and it's opening up a little chapter for us.

-Yeah.

Yeah. One thing you won't have to worry about is too much watering

cos there's enough in there as it is.

But the watery garden shouldn't be a problem with Danny's new plan.

And the degravelled top level is now ready for a bit of dressing.

Now, topsoil is very fine.

It's sifted.

A lot of the stones have been taken out.

It's been treated in such a way that there are no weeds in there.

The reason I'm using it is cos it's easy to work with.

Because it's fine, it's easy to work with -

and also, because it's good quality soil,

it's going to give the turf the best chance to root.

And talking of fine and easy to work with...

There we go. Finished the wall, guys are back-filling,

I'm just going to carry on with the steps now.

Great job, guys. That's most of the structural work done.

Now with the rest of the permeable membrane laid down,

Danny needs to mark out his contrasting circles.

Right, the plan here, Dave,

is just imagine a circle of gravel here.

-Uh-huh. Beautiful.

-And down here we're going to do the opposite.

-Uh-huh.

-So, going to have a circle of turf...

-Lovely.

-..and the rest is going to be gravel.

What I'll do, I'll mark it out now.

Using a fixed point to attach a bit of string to,

Danny can trace a perfect semicircle and mark it with spray paint.

But before he can fill his semicircles,

Danny's calling on his flexible friend -

this metal lawn edging - to define the shapes and retain the gravel.

And at the bottom of the garden...

Now I need to spread the gravel, but I need to retain it.

I don't want it going into the neighbour's garden through there.

So, what I'm going to do

is just put some gravel boards down, like this...

and I'm going to place them on the posts

and that should retain this lot.

Preventing any escaping gravel is a great idea -

but more is needed to cover the boggy area fully.

Hopefully, Danny's extra chippings are en route.

Oh, that's well timed.

I thought I heard a big truck arrive.

That's going to be the gravel, which is great.

Let's hope it's going to match the gravel that we've already got.

Only time will tell.

The gravel looks great -

but this garden's sorely lacking a bit of greenery.

Time to get some trees in.

We're going to place an arbour just here for Gail's dad.

Now, I thought it might be a good idea to surround it with trees,

because I'm thinking he needs a calm serene place

where to sit and contemplate,

and I think these trees will give him just that.

The trees we're planting - it's a tree called Sorbus cashmiriana.

It's a wonderful tree, and it will grow to about 12 feet high,

so it won't dominate this space.

And it will also give a dappled shade - not a block of shade,

which is what we don't want,

otherwise we're going to get moss in that grass over there.

While Danny gets his trees into the ground...

..I'm finding out a bit more about Gail's family.

As carer to her father,

she wants her garden to be a place where every generation of her family

can feel safe and serene.

For you, Gail, life has changed dramatically over the last year.

-Oh, yeah.

-Your dad's moved in.

-Mm-hm.

-You moved together as a family to a new home.

-How is it going?

-It's going well, but it has its ups and downs,

it's been a hard...a hard process, I have to say.

Rather than being a daughter, I'm now, you know, a carer as well,

as well as being a mum to Blaydon,

and it's a position that I never envisaged,

or, selfishly, never wanted in my life, you know?

I always thought, you know,

"Oh, my dad, he'll just,

"he'll go on for ever

"and he'll always be

"fit and healthy."

And, you know, the thought of having to look after somebody else

is a big responsibility,

and you know, I could put my dad in a home, but I don't want that,

and I would never have wanted that.

It's tough at times, but we're getting there.

It's a learning process

when you're living with somebody that's got, you know, dementia.

Your dad is changing, you know -

he is who he is, but things are changing,

and he's dealing with challenges every day.

Things that are happening just now, he forgets about,

but he can remember things from years ago with such clarity.

Yeah.

You know - and very clearly -

and that's what's hard to understand.

It must be difficult, because at the minute he's kind of stuck

-in the house, isn't he?

-Yeah, yeah. He is, it's like...

I feel like he's in this little prison.

You know, he wanders about the house and things,

and he'll go and he'll sit outside if it's a nice day,

just out the front in a chair.

The more things he can have to stimulate his mind, you know,

people with dementia, the more things they have, you know,

to keep their mind going and active is better for them.

You know, he's never going to get any better,

but at the moment I'll hang on tooth and nail, for as long as possible,

to...to take care of him.

But the garden would be so important to give him another element

to his life, because he loves being outside.

He's worked outside all his life as a joiner.

You know, if he could maybe do stuff in the garden,

and just get to potter about outside would be great -

and he loves the sunshine.

Any little bit of sunshine, he'll sit outside.

My dad is such a lovely man, he's amazing.

He's so kind.

Erm...

and I just want to give him something back, for being...

so fantastic to us over the years.

-Sorry.

-No, don't apologise.

He... You know, he's...

-your dad, isn't he?

-I know.

-Your dad's your dad!

-I know.

He's just... He's the kindest, gentlest...

man ever, he's never a bad word for anybody or anything.

Well, I don't know about you,

but my family's the light of my life and so you're doing an amazing job.

There's a lot of people will empathise,

and a lot of people will be really impressed

with what you're doing, so well done.

I'm confident by the end of the day that you will have a garden

that you can all enjoy as a family.

Right, let's go and get these plants,

-otherwise it'll never get finished.

-That's brilliant.

-Thank you.

Back in Gail's garden, time is ticking on.

Well, it's 4:20, now,

and Helen's due back at about 5:30,

and I'm looking at what's been done already.

It's going to be touch-and-go.

Going to be touch-and-go.

Half the garden has been moved into its new position,

but the other half still needs turf.

We've got the topsoil down, we've got it nice and even,

and I'm going to lay the turf,

but it's advisable, when you get turf delivered,

to roll it out within 24 hours.

Don't let it sit there, cos all it'll do is bake,

and it will go yellow, and it will eventually die.

I'm just cutting carefully round the edge, like this,

and that will just slot in nicely.

Needs to be well watered for the first ten days, until it roots.

Do it mornings and evenings, and then give...

The water will stay in the soil for that much longer.

So if you do it sort of during the day,

that's when evaporation is at its most prevalent.

Now, it's important when laying turf...

..lay it like bricks.

What I mean by bricks

is that you don't want all the joints here in a line.

Because what happens, it's more likely to dry out quickly,

and you get shrinkage. If you get shrinkage, you're going to get gaps,

and then you're going to allow weeds to come in those gaps,

and we don't want that.

And great use of those off-cuts, Danny -

waste not, want not!

Doesn't matter how small a piece, it will still root.

It'll be fine.

So, I'm just going to

make sure that this turf roots.

So, what I'm going to do now

is just tap it down with this heavy hammer.

Just need to go along like this...

..and what this does, it'll make the...

It'll flatten out the ground,

it'll make the turf more even, and, really,

it just makes it look nicer, just gives it a really nice finish.

With the turf going down,

and the stairway to garden heaven under way,

the team are pulling out all the stops -

but the garden's still very light on leafy lovelies.

And that means Gail and I have a mission to fulfil.

OK. So, Danny is after some specific plants.

-Uh-huh.

-I am sure we'll find plenty here.

Oh, I think so.

Danny's asked for some rock roses, plus other bedding plants -

and with our new-found understanding of dementia-friendly gardens,

we're looking for seasonal colour at the local garden centre,

run by Stan Green.

-Stan.

-Hi.

-Good to see you.

-Hi, Helen.

-This is Gail.

-Hi.

-Hi, Gail.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Welcome to a very chilly Fife.

Oh, it's fine.

We are after some rock rose.

Yep, I've got some over there.

-If you want to come over, and we'll...

-This way?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Rock roses just over here.

Otherwise known as...

Halimium libanotis.

-OK.

-Bright yellow flower, evergreen.

Stays low, stays compact.

Early summer flowering.

It's doing what it does.

Which is...is ideal, if that's the kind of plant you're looking for.

Beautiful.

What do we need to know about the rock rose?

It... It requires sunny spots, sunnier the better.

Free draining, if possible, lighter soils,

and it will be quite happy just to be planted out.

And how big's that's going to grow?

-About 30 centimetres, max.

-OK.

It does more spreading than growing up. Once it gets up, it's going out.

And it gets a bit denser than it is in the pot here.

It's giving you quite a lot of ground coverage,

-as well, isn't it?

-It is, which is great for weed suppression.

Yeah. Perfect.

-Perfect, I like that.

-Makes life a bit easier.

After it starts flowering,

you can prune to shape, to size, wherever it's fitting in, just to...

to suit where it's going.

And how long do these last, the little flowers on it?

The flowers, you'll get a good four to six weeks out of it.

-Right, that's good, that's lovely.

-Perfect!

-I like that.

-Six weeks.

-Lovely.

-They look great, don't they?

-I know.

OK, let's take a few of these.

We're also after some other colourful bedding plants.

-Can you recommend any?

-Plenty of bedding.

-Cracking time of year. There's lots to see.

-Excellent.

-This way.

-Perfect.

With less than two hours to go, Team Danny needs to get a move on,

and get some bog plants in the ground.

It would be a good idea to make this part formal,

but the garden's very formal, the structure's very formal,

so I kind of want to do the opposite with the planting.

I want it to look more natural, more naturalistic,

so I'm just placing the plants

almost like I've dropped them out of the sky,

and I'm going to plant them where they land.

Now, just look at this beauty.

It's a lovely plant.

I really like it.

It's an evergreen plant, and it's ideal for these conditions.

And it's called a heucherella.

Now, the heucherella is a cross

between a heuchera and a tiarella.

Now, this plant loves these conditions.

It likes moist conditions, and it will be really happy here.

And these flowers will last till mid-autumn,

and when the leaves begin to fade,

just chop it right back and it will all rejuvenate.

While AJ puts the finishing touches to his banisters...

Pop!

..and the new arbour is assembled...

Danny's got his eagle eyes on some useful additions

to his planting scheme out the front.

There's just something I wanted to ask you.

-Uh-huh?

-See these plants you've got here?

-Yeah.

-They're quite cramped. You've got a lot in a small area.

-Yeah.

-Do you think I could dig some out?

-Uh-huh.

-And place them near the arbour

that we're going to install in your garden, and they can grow up it.

-Yes, sounds good.

-I mean, you've got some honeysuckles,

you've got some clematis,

-and I thought...

-I actually thought they were all

starting to die, Danny.

Well, some of them aren't doing very well, but they'll be fine.

I mean, they are doing OK.

Yeah. Help yourself, Danny.

Thanks very much, because they're a bit wasted out here.

You don't need as many as you've got,

so perhaps we could just take a few and take them out the back.

-Absolutely.

-Will you be happy with that?

-Yeah.

-Brilliant.

-More than.

-Great.

I can see all the roots, there.

Yeah, that's what we want.

We want to get as much of the root out as possible.

You know, and that's the best way to get it.

-Loads of the roots, and that can go round the back.

-OK.

Great way to make the plants and the budget go further.

Only another 50 things to plant and you'll be done, Danny.

I'd like to say it's just finishing touches,

but we've got a bit of a way to go before that garden's finished.

I reckon we've got at least another hour,

so we'd better get going.

Danny might be eking out the existing plants as best he can,

but it's a big garden to fill,

even with the ones that David let him move,

so we need to pick up some more,

with the emphasis on colour - and lots of it.

-When it comes to bedding plants...

-Yeah?

-Where do you begin?

The good thing about bedding plants, they're straightforward.

They all like very similar conditions,

and if you've got it right for one, it'll be the same for all of them -

and it's down to colour. Buy with your eyes,

just buy what you like.

Bedding plants are fast-growing decorative plants

for temporary displays that will fill your borders or containers

with seasonal colour.

Other than colours, particularly as we're looking at a sensory garden,

what can bedding plants offer?

The good thing about some of these

is that they can bring not only colour, but you have texture.

-Picking this one up here.

-Ah, I like these.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-Helichrysum.

-Lambs' ears.

Lovely lambs' lugs. Yeah.

-Would your dad...?

-Oh, he'd love that.

And Blaydon would love that, cos it's soft,

and it's just, it's like velvet, isn't it?

And you get different colours of this, as well.

-Oh, do you?

-And that one cascades down.

That's lovely, I like that.

Well, do you know what, Stan?

There is so much to think about, but thank you for that advice.

-Not at all.

-Thank you for those top tips.

You heard the man - buy with your eyes.

And we don't need telling twice.

Gazanias.

Oh, look, there's a massive tray!

-Let's just get that.

-Oh, my goodness.

-Oh, my God!

-Yeah! Why not?!

What about osteospermum?

Some white, or some cream ones,

-they would go well against the orange.

-Yeah.

-These ones here?

-Yeah.

Good, deffo.

That is my favourite colour.

-This all looks awesome.

-We stuck to the list, and added.

All colour-coordinated.

-We did good, girl.

-Yeah!

OK, I think we've got a good collection - but what about...

-I know.

-Some of... Yeah?

That Stan said, I think so, cos they're nice and soft,

-and I like them.

-And your dad will like to touch them.

Dad'll love them, Blaydon'll love them, David'll love them...

and Danny will love that we've got them, too.

We've fulfilled our side of the bargain,

which means Gail can take a well-earned break.

But I need to find out if the team are anywhere near finishing

this highly ambitious makeover.

-What a difference!

-Hello, Helen.

-How are you?

-You've been busy!

-We have been busy, yes.

-Looks great.

-Yeah.

-Still quite a lot to do.

-Mm-hm.

Better get my skates on now, hadn't I?!

Those plants aren't going to dig themselves in!

No rest for the wicked, eh, Danny?

It's called bergenia - or you may know it as elephant's ears,

and it will spread, it will send out little runners,

and you will have a carpet of this stuff.

Time for the salvaged clematis.

I've just planted this Clematis montana.

Now, it's a beautiful plant, and once it settled in,

it will just romp away.

Now, I'm trying to train it to grow through this arbour,

so I'm just tying it in, and hopefully, once it's all tied in,

it can find its way round.

Which will be great for Gail's dad.

With just a few minutes until Gail returns,

and brings her dad and young son to see the transformation,

we need to get this garden as spick-and-span as possible -

and, for once, I'm even delegated to plant a tree.

Promotion!

I feel like I've been digging this hole for about two hours.

It's probably only been about five minutes -

but the more you dig it out, the more the chippings cascade in.

But I think between the two of us...

Go on, Cameron. See if it fits.

Yes!

Perfecto!

Now, this is a good idea.

Put stones around the feet of a clematis.

I knew these would come in handy.

If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

Clematis roots like to be kept cool,

so these stones should help them thrive...

..and with the family's existing bench placed into its new position,

finally the garden is ready.

What do you think, do you like it?

-Yeah.

-I do.

-It's great.

-Yeah?

-The garden looks amazing.

-Think your mum'll like it?

-Yeah, I think she will.

-She'll love it - and my grandad.

-And your grandad?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-That's good. I can only thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Cheers.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-You've been great.

At the start of the day,

this plain and plantless garden

was stuck in a limbo of plastic sheeting, boggy ground,

and surfaces unsafe for Gail's elderly father -

but now, Danny has turned it on its head.

With an ingenious swap of waterlogged turf for stone,

and stone for fresh new turf.

All enhanced with vivid colour, and an array

of spanking new plants.

AJ's retaining wall has turned the tumbledown terrace

into a sturdy and stylish feature,

while the unsteady steps are now graced with a handmade handrail,

leading down through a sea of colour.

The barren lower terrace is now bursting with bog-loving foliage

as well as three gorgeous new trees

for eye-level interest.

Danny's made the most

of the neglected seating,

and reused the family's own overcrowded climbers

on a brand-new arbour for grandad.

Every corner of this garden

is overflowing with sensory showstoppers,

laid out in a striking formal design.

Hard to believe it was all done in one day,

and on a shoestring budget.

Now, all that's left is to do is to find out what Gail, her son Blaydon

and father Thomas make of it all.

-Watch the step.

-Right, oh...

Oh, I see the slabs!

That's OK, watch Grandad doesn't fall out.

-He's out!

-And look.

-Can I look?

-That hits you, doesn't it?!

Oh, my goodness!

-Oh, my God, is this the garden?!

-Tremendous, oh!

-My goodness.

-Tom's off!

He's exploring his new garden.

-I know! He likes it!

-Beautiful!

Do you like it?

Oh, my God, it's amazing!

This just doesn't look like the same place.

Oh, thank you so much. Thank you!

Look at all these beautiful plants and everything.

Oh, and they two had to have the prime seat, didn't they?!

THEY LAUGH

Dad, what do you think of this, then, eh?

-Terrific.

-This is so you can come out, now,

and just have somewhere nice to...

-Yeah!

-..to sit in the sunshine, and...

Look at that seat you've got down there!

We'll be fighting for that.

I think so.

Can I go and look at the plants and stuff?

-Of course you can - go and explore, it's your garden!

-Oh!

Oh, thank you for helping.

Thank you!

It's worth it when you see that reaction, isn't it?

All worth it.

-Come and sit in your seat.

-Oh-hoh!

I just can't say thank you enough to everybody.

Thank you so much for everything.

All your hard work today's just amazing.

I can't believe that this is our garden.

No, I mean, the amount of stuff that's in there, it's unbelievable.

You're right, there's a lot in the garden up there

-that you probably haven't had a chance to look at yet.

-God, no!

Look at all the plants round the edge and everything.

Oh, my goodness, I just...

I'm speechless. Yous are just...

You're miracle workers.

-Do you like it, Tom?

-Thank you so much.

-Yeah, definitely.

It's beautiful. Everything all fits.

It's like that's a jigsaw.

-Yeah.

-Everything just fits, it all goes round.

Well done, Cameron - enjoy your garden, Tom.

-Right, thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you for letting us gate-crash your house.

-Oh, no problem!

-Enjoy it.

-Thank you.

-It's been fun.

-It has been fun.

I know this garden was designed with Tom in mind,

and Tom clearly loves it.

It's a total transformation.

This morning, it wasn't usable for anybody.

It wasn't really safe.

Now they have a space not just for Tom but for Blaydon and...

perhaps even more importantly, for Gail, as well.

Congratulations, Danny, on a spectacular instant garden.