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 > 0:00:10making it over can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13especially if you're short on time and money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Well, the Instant Gardener is here.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Ta-da!
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24These are really bringing a smile to my face.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Each time, our gardening guru will be showing you how to create gorgeous
0:00:28 > 0:00:31garden makeovers.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- This might look great. - Each transformation will be packed
0:00:33 > 0:00:37with brilliant ideas to help you get to grips
0:00:37 > 0:00:39with your own outdoor space.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44Just continually deadhead and you'll 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 > 0:00:53It's going to be used as a planter, and I think this is going to look
0:00:53 > 0:00:55absolutely terrific.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59..and showing you how to spend a small budget wisely.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- That's why Danny makes me bring a list.- OK.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Be 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 > 0:01:18- Oh, wow.- That's unbelievable!
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Today's garden nestles in the South Wales town of Tredegar.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Although it has a small population of only 1,500,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38this is a place that punches well above its weight historically.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Shaped by the iron and coal industries,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44famous politicians Nye Bevan and Neil Kinnock were both born there.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48It's also home to today's young couple.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Now, they might not be famous party politicians,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53but they certainly like to party, and why not?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57They work hard. And they have got a brilliant back yard for beer and
0:01:57 > 0:02:00barbecues, spending time socialising with friends and family.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The trouble is, it's a total blank canvas.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Sounds like a job for the Instant Gardener.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- Hello. You must be Scott. - Nice to meet you.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- Hiya, nice to meet you.- Let's have a look at this back yard, then.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Nicola and Scott have been together for six years and married in 2015.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35The busy couple both work with children,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38with one of Nicola's three jobs being as a support worker for children
0:02:38 > 0:02:41with disabilities. But in 2008,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Nicola was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49a severe and painful digestive condition similar to Crohn's disease.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52She's had to endure several major operations.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Despite this, she works full-time,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58tirelessly supporting the children and families in her care.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Danny's arrived super early this morning to have a good look at just
0:03:03 > 0:03:05what he's going to be tackling today.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12The first thing I notice is the amazing view. It's fantastic.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15You can see for miles and miles.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Superb.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Now, I would say this decking is quite new,
0:03:19 > 0:03:20the boundaries are definitely knew.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24It's really difficult to sort of work out how new the decking is because
0:03:24 > 0:03:26it has algae-fied at the moment.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29It's very slippery underfoot.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32So we are going to have to address that, perhaps give it a jet wash,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35because we don't want anyone tumbling over.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38All in all, the garden is pretty bland, and really,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40this wall doesn't help either.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43It's white, I think that's a pretty boring colour.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48And really, it would be a good idea to make it connect to the decking.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54I would imagine all I need to do is just find the people who own this
0:03:54 > 0:03:56property, kind of somewhere to sit,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00just to spruce this up and just make it interesting
0:04:00 > 0:04:02and give it a bit of life.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I can't wait to see you pull it out of the bag this time.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06With a plan bubbling away,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10it's time for Danny to meet the garden's owners.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- What a view.- Hello, Helen.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13- How are you, all right?- Yeah, you?
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- Yeah, good, thank you.- This is Nicola and Scott.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Nice to meet you, Danny. - Hello, Scott. Hello, Nicola. Good to meet you.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Guys, you've got a great view, haven't you?- Yeah, it's nice, isn't it?
0:04:21 > 0:04:24It's not too bad. We take it for granted, really, don't we?
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- It's brill.- Shame we haven't got the weather,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28but that's the Valleys for you.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Tell me about this house, then. How long have you lived here?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33We've been here just over two years, haven't we?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Since we bought it.- This was sort of
0:04:36 > 0:04:38the decking when we moved in,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42but we put the rickety fences up afterwards.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45I think this is a brilliant space, because it literally is an outdoor room, isn't it?
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- You've got the walls, you've got the floor.- That's what we want, really.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Somewhere... Because at the moment we just basically don't use it at all,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54but we would like to have somewhere...
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- Socialise, really.- Yes, an extension of the house,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58where we can come out and use it as a room, really.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00OK. So how and who would use it?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03We'd have friends over, family.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Barbecues in the summer, that type of thing, really.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Even if I can come out here with my laptop and do some work, that type of thing,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12to actually really use the space.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Nicola, be honest, do you have much time?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Because you seem like the busiest woman in Wales.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- How many jobs do you have? - I've got three jobs at the moment.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Which jobs?- I work with social services, with children with disabilities,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and supporting them and their families. That's my main job.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30My second job, I teach,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I run a teaching assistant course and I teach the adults.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38And my third job is, I've also got a bridal shop in this town.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40And your health hasn't been brilliant, has it?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42No, at the moment I'm really good now,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45but in the past I've had some health problems.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49But I am doing OK now, but in terms of time,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51you can always make time to...
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- Come in the garden.- Yeah.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Yeah. And I think it is more relaxing if you're out here doing it
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- than stuck in the house doing work. - And now you are in good health,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02it would be nice to have somewhere to enjoy and make the most of that
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- fabulous Welsh weather you've talked about.- Exactly.- What do you reckon, Danny?
0:06:06 > 0:06:09In my eyes, this is a perfect blank canvas, isn't it?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11It is a perfect blank canvas,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13but it is a bit of a skating rink at the moment.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15It is very slippery.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18That will have to be addressed first, without any shadow of a doubt.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22But it is a blank canvas, it's an outdoor space, an outdoor room,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24or whatever you'd like to call it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25What's your style?
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- You like a bit of shabby chic. - I don't mind a bit of shabby chic, a bit of bunting.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I love flowers.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35But I'm not very good at looking after them. But it's because I don't know.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36I really don't know how to.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39So you would like something that's quite low-maintenance?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Yes, definitely.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44But something that looks pretty as well.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- OK.- Well, I'm going to leave Scott here with you,
0:06:47 > 0:06:51he's going to help you out. Nicola and I are going to do a little bit of research.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52- OK.- Get out of your hair.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- And I've got a few things I'd like you to get.- OK.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Interesting note pad. Three big contemporary pots,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01at least 60... 60 centimetres?
0:07:01 > 0:07:0260 centimetres high.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- OK.- Yeah?- Have a lovely day, have a lovely day.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Nicola, let's hit the road.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- Good luck.- Catch you guys later. - See you later.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14While I take Nicola away for some inspiration,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Danny can reveal his plan for the garden.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19So, come on, Danny, what wonders await today?
0:07:21 > 0:07:27What we've got here is a bland and boring, featureless outdoor room.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32And what I want to do is pack it full to the gunnels with interesting things.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Now, the first thing I think we need to do is to jet wash this decking.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Because it is like a skating rink.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42But we also want to unify this area, and how I'm going to do that,
0:07:42 > 0:07:43I'm going to use paint.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46So I'm going to use purple paint on that side,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48perhaps just paint one panel,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50perhaps paint a panel over here purple,
0:07:50 > 0:07:51maybe two, who knows?
0:07:51 > 0:07:55And I want to paint that wall over there a different colour to these
0:07:55 > 0:07:58panels over here, so that's going to be pink, and these will be purple.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I think that will make a great combination.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05And in this space here, there's nothing really that we can recycle.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09And what we're doing to do is bring some pallets in and make some wonderful
0:08:09 > 0:08:10furniture out of them.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13We are even going to make a small vertical garden,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16which we are going to put against that wall over there.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18And I'm going to fill it with succulents.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22And they are low-maintenance, and Nicola is going to love that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25And once we've built this furniture, we are going to paint them black.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28That's going to look absolutely funky with the black,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30the purple and the pink going on.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Another thing I would like to do.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I am hoping to do a turf seat.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38A turf seat, basically, is something that you can sit on that's made out of turf.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41And that should give this area another dimension.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45And it's a way of introducing some greenery into the area as well.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Your garden is all about your plants. Any garden is about your plants,
0:08:49 > 0:08:51so it is great to have all this furniture in here,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53but we need to soften it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57So what I thought I'd do is bring some really spectacular pots into
0:08:57 > 0:09:00this area. And put plants into those.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I think that will look really good.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04So Danny is packing this garden with furniture,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07adding splashes of colour to the walls and fence panels,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11constructing an easy-to-maintain vertical planter
0:09:11 > 0:09:13and adding some plant pots.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Nicola and Scott are sociable people,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and we're going to give them an outdoor space
0:09:18 > 0:09:21in which they can entertain with their friends.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24It's an ambitious plan for just one day,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28but Danny won't be alone because pallet-meister AJ and the team are
0:09:28 > 0:09:29chipping in to make it happen.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Speaking of pallets, where exactly are they, Danny?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Blimey, it's raining.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41As usual. Not to worry because I've got plans for this area.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44I want to pack it full to the gunnels with furniture.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47You've got nothing in this area that we can recycle.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49So we are going to have to go out and find it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- OK.- So, shall we get cracking?
0:09:51 > 0:09:52- Definitely.- Definitely.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Let's get going.- So the team are going to leave the garden for once.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Make the most of it, guys, you won't be gone for long.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01They're meeting just the man for the job,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04local garden centre manager Tony Hilditch.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Hello. Are you the chief here?
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- Yes.- Hello. My name is Danny.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Danny, pleased to meet you.- Pleased to meet you. You are?- Tony.- Tony.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Great to meet you, Tony. This is AJ.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Hi, Tony.- Hello.- This is Scott.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- Hi, Tony.- Hi, Scott, how are you? - Yeah, great.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22I don't know if you can help us at all,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- but we're on the hunt for some pallets.- Pallets, shipping...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- Transport pallets?- Transport pallets, that's it. I've noticed you've got some round the front.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- We have, yeah.- Could we take those?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- Yes.- And have you got any others lying around,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37because we could do with as many as possible?
0:10:37 > 0:10:40I've... Yeah, I should have some somewhere.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Great.- Those all out the front ready to be collected for recycling,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45which is what they are there for.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- But I'm sure we can find some more. - All right, great.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Like most garden centres, and lots of other businesses,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Tony takes delivery of plants,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55pots and compost on wooden pallets like these.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58As we are making furniture,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02I thought it might be a good idea to choose pallets that are more uniform.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- Oh, dear.- Shall we take these ones?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- Yes.- You're happy for us to take these?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09We'll load what we've got around the front first,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12and then we'll come back and pick out a few of these and then we'll be
0:11:12 > 0:11:14on our way. That's great, thanks, Tony.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22It's going in.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- The red ones.- Here they come, the red ones.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27You know the good thing about that, though. That's already an undercoat.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- Brilliant.- So when you paint them,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31it's not going to soak into just bare wood.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32Why do you think I chose them?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- I don't know.- For that reason.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36No, that's my idea, get out of here.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38DANNY LAUGHS
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Most delivery pallets are recycled,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44but some businesses may be happy to let you take you a few away - if you
0:11:44 > 0:11:47ask nicely. Best not to just help yourself, though.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51These are great because we are getting furniture for free.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54With AJ's van packed full of pallets,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57it's time for the boys to head back to the garden.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Meanwhile, Nicola and I are going to Newport to meet the owner of a unique
0:12:03 > 0:12:07back garden that I hope will encourage her interest in plants.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Edward Hay's back garden is a masterclass in making the most of planting
0:12:11 > 0:12:15opportunities afforded by planters, pots and hanging baskets.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Right, Nicola, head this way.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21It's a relatively small space but there is a lot going on in here.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Plants, trees, huge, big greenhouse back there.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Lots of things going on.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29It's quite packed.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I can see how he's made the most of a small space.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- I like it.- Some people like to pack a small space with loads of different
0:12:36 > 0:12:39things to look at. Some people like to keep it quite clean.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Do you like that there is a lot going on here?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Yeah, I like that because it takes your interest a bit more.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Especially with ours, we've just got our decking.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51This lovely garden looks perfectly normal until you raise your eyes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Now, cast your eye that way.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59The huge tower of bedding plants.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- It's amazing, right?- It's fairly tall.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04There are lots of questions - it's hard to know what to say.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Let's go meet the man who built it. He's a legend.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Eddie.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12Talk us through
0:13:12 > 0:13:20this fantastic explosion of pots and colour and brilliance.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Why did you build this?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Because I could. And it's a one-off. Nobody else has got one, have they?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- No.- There you are! - How long has it been up there?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I finished building it about a month ago.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- So, how big is this?- About 35 foot.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37In that frame, you have a whole series of plant pots
0:13:37 > 0:13:40filled with brilliant brightly-coloured plants.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Yeah, it takes about 250 pots.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- OK.- In a month, that'll be flowering beautifully,
0:13:46 > 0:13:50and in about six weeks, it'll be full.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Eddie, how proud are you of this?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Fantastic. - HE LAUGHS
0:13:55 > 0:13:56I love it. I love it.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57I just love it.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01While we admire this fabulous flower tower,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03the boys have made it back to the garden,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05where we've been pressure-washing the decking
0:14:05 > 0:14:07with quite a lot of help from the weather.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- It's very important you keep it clean...- OK.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14..and you keep it jet-washed, cos you don't want a build-up of algae.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16If you get a build-up of algae, then it's going to make it slippery,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18it's going to make it dangerous.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- And if you go down on this, it's going to be painful.- Yeah.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23How often would you say you do it?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- I would say at least a couple of times a year.- OK.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29But I would keep an eye on it. But you should be all right here,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I wouldn't think you would get a build-up very quickly,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- because it's quite an open site.- Yeah.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35For example, you haven't got shade.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- No.- Cos algae likes shade.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40So, I'd imagine this is quite a sunny spot.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Yeah, it can get quite sunny,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44so I suppose once every six months, keep an eye on it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47And you'll find there'll be more of a build-up over the winter period.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- OK.- But normally you will be doing it in the spring
0:14:51 > 0:14:53and, say, sort of late summer.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- But, you know, keep an eye on it in the meantime.- OK, great.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57While we finish off the jet washing,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59it's time to get the rain covers out
0:14:59 > 0:15:02so that Danny and Scott can get on with the painting.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- With the weather, it's not an ideal situation.- No.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Cos really we'd want to paint this fence,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11but it's not normally a good idea to paint a fence when it's wet.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- Right, OK.- But because we've got to get the job done today,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18we haven't got another option. What we're doing here
0:15:18 > 0:15:21is just trying to protect the fence as much as we can.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23So the plan with two fences, we're going to paint this one.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- OK.- That's going to be painted purple.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- Right.- And we are going to paint one of the panels over there,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31the one covered by the tarp at the minute,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33we're going to paint that purple, as well.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36That'll give the area some continuity. Do you like that idea?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Sounds great, yeah. - You like it?- Yeah, really good.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44- For me, really, I quite like the idea of not painting the whole of the fence.- Yeah.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Cos I quite like the natural wood.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- I also like the painted effect if it's the right colour.- Yeah.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52So for me, it's getting the best of both worlds.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53I suppose it leaves it open, then,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56if we wanted to maybe paint another few panels a different colour
0:15:56 > 0:15:57in the future.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58You can do that.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59Exactly, Scott.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Painting fence panels is a cheap and easy way
0:16:02 > 0:16:04to brighten up an outdoor space,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06and it's giving Danny a chance to chat to him
0:16:06 > 0:16:09about the colourful character of his wife.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12I get the feeling that the garden's very important to Nicola.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Yeah. I mean, obviously, it's a nice...
0:16:15 > 0:16:16It is a big space.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Nicola being as busy as she is,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20it is obviously nice for her to come home
0:16:20 > 0:16:23and maybe relax out here as opposed to inside all the time.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25So Nicola, she's got a very vibrant personality,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28but it's been a pretty tough time for her, hasn't it?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Yeah, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Pretty much for the last five or six years,
0:16:34 > 0:16:40she's been in and out of hospital, she's had quite a lot of surgery.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Some long operations.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Yeah, I mean, luckily she doesn't let it get her down,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48she's quite upbeat and confident.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51This sort of marries in well with that, really,
0:16:51 > 0:16:52as a nice surprise for Nic,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54considering all the things she's been through.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56So, do you think she's going to like this?
0:16:56 > 0:16:57I think she'll like the colour, yeah.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Nicola likes a shabby chic sort of style.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- Yeah.- And I think this sort of resembles that.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05I think she'll really like it.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10While the boys get on with the painting, over in Newport,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Nicola and I are seeking shelter in Eddie's greenhouse,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17as he shares the secrets to his success with container gardening.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Nicola has a garden like yours
0:17:20 > 0:17:23in the sense that there's not a lot of room to put things in the ground,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26so it would be good for you, and plenty of people, I imagine,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29to see how you can have a good garden in pots.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Right.- First thing's this, what are you putting in in terms of compost?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Just potting compost.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37There's so many different types and varieties
0:17:37 > 0:17:40so it doesn't matter which one you use, they all are all right.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42OK. Right, so, you've put in your potting compost.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44The potting compost is in. Right?
0:17:44 > 0:17:49And then what you do is you put a centre plant, something nice.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Normally, I put a geranium or a fuchsia in the middle -
0:17:52 > 0:17:54that's my favourite two plants.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56And then you just get other plants, like sophinias,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58which I grew from cuttings,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and you can see the roots are there.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02When is the best time to take a cutting?
0:18:02 > 0:18:05As the plant is growing, you take it from there.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06See? And that's a cutting.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10So if you wanted to grow your own, you could do it just from that?
0:18:10 > 0:18:11- Yeah.- And that goes in compost?
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Yeah. And they become like that.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And then you take a cutting of that and...
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Using cuttings to increase his plant stock,
0:18:18 > 0:18:23it's getting easier to see how Eddie can plant up a whole 35-foot tower.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25So, you put in...
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Four different plants.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I don't know the name of every plant that I grow,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31but as long as you put four plants in there,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35and within a couple of weeks, that'll be flourishing.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Nicola, you had a lot of pots in your garden.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- Didn't go so well.- No.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Why?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I didn't know when to water them or how much to water them.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45That was the main issue.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Watering them - make sure they don't go dry.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51As long as they're moist, that's good enough.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54You might not have room for a planting pylon on your patio,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57but don't be afraid to give container gardening a go,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59even if you've never gardened much before.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03It can be an easy and rewarding way to get started.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Drainage is one of the keys
0:19:06 > 0:19:08to keeping your container plants from drowning.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11No matter what the plant, without drainage holes,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13its roots will rot.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The bigger the plant, the bigger the pot you need to put it in.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18A bit of space and regularly refreshed compost
0:19:18 > 0:19:20will ensure healthy growth
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and long life for your plant.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24When choosing plants for your containers,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27make sure they all like the same conditions.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28All the plants in one pot
0:19:28 > 0:19:31should require the same amount of light and moisture.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Back in Tredegar, AJ is starting work on his pallet master plan.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42He's got a table, a sofa and a vertical planter to knock up.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Hello, AJ.- Hello, mate.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48How's it going? What's going on here?
0:19:48 > 0:19:49What are you building?
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- Your stand-alone flower thing. - Are you really?
0:19:53 > 0:19:56I know you said about maybe having one stand-alone
0:19:56 > 0:19:59cos there isn't much wall space.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02So I thought, "How am I going to get a pallet just to stand by itself?"
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Without putting feet on it, might be a trip hazard, things like that.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- So, I've cut some of these pallets down.- Mmm.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09I've got one section there.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Then there's going to be two sections on the two bit.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16And then three sections on the three bit.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19So your plants can go in here, here and here...
0:20:19 > 0:20:21here and here...
0:20:21 > 0:20:22and here.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Your three, two, one.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Yeah, I love it. I think it's absolutely brilliant.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30What's brilliant about this is that it's portable.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32You can move it around the garden,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34so you've got a forever-changing scenery.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38And also if you get tired of it, you can move it around.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40You can move it wherever you want.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- What do you think? - It's great, it's a great idea.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Well done, 10 out of 10. - Thank you very much.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46With the frame of the planter done,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49AJ just needs to add a base to each planting trough,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52made from another piece of pallet.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Just nailing these little slats on the bottom of here.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00So it'll hold the soil in.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Haven't got to be very strong or anything like that
0:21:03 > 0:21:06because there's only a little bit of soil to go in there
0:21:06 > 0:21:07and a few nice little pretty planters.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10So in theory, there's a bit of a gap
0:21:10 > 0:21:12cos you still need drainage in these.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21While AJ carries on with the freestanding vertical planter...
0:21:22 > 0:21:24..I'm taking a moment with Nicola
0:21:24 > 0:21:28to find out how she manages to cope with so much going on in her life,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30and what a garden makeover would mean to her.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Nicola, you're fighting fit now but your health hasn't been great
0:21:34 > 0:21:37in recent years, has it? Talk me through what's been going on.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in March 2008,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43which is an inflammatory bowel disease.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44So I ended up...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48I was suffering with that for about two years before I had surgery.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50And it was quite a big surgery, wasn't it?
0:21:50 > 0:21:55That surgery I had in 2009 was I had my large intestine removed.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- And it was a ten-hour operation. - What are the long-term effects of a surgery like that?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02After the first surgery, I had what was called a sub-total colectomy,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05so I ended up with a ileostomy bag.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07And I have that now for the rest of my life,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09but I've learned to manage that, really,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and because of how ill I was before having it,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14managing that is so easy
0:22:14 > 0:22:17compared to the complications of the disease itself.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I'm really, really lucky because I know a lot of people
0:22:20 > 0:22:22who've been through the same sort of surgeries as me
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and they're not as healthy and not as fit as well as what I am,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28so I am really lucky with how things have turned out.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I don't want to patronise you and say, "Oh, you are very upbeat
0:22:31 > 0:22:33"for something that's quite significant."
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- But you are.- It's just one of those things that have happened,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I think everyone at some point in their life goes through difficult things,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41and that was just one thing that, hopefully,
0:22:41 > 0:22:46I've come out of the other end of it and I'm fine. I've just got to make the most of feeling well.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48I imagine your job gives you quite a lot of perspective.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Yes, because I work with children with disabilities.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54And the range of disabilities that I'm seeing on a daily basis in work,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56it does put things into perspective
0:22:56 > 0:22:58when you see what some of the families go through
0:22:58 > 0:22:59that I work with.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01How important is a garden to you?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04It would be really nice to have a space outside that we can use,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06which is like an extension of the home.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10But it's just been put on the back burner, really.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11You are pretty busy.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13Scott's not.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16So, really, the onus is on Scott to look after this garden.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18He should be doing more than what he is with the garden.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22He's never going to have any plants to maintain if we don't get to the garden centre.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Let's go and get our shopping, Nicola.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28As we head off on our shopping trip,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31back in Tredegar, work is in full flow,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and this garden is proving to be part makeover,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36part furniture removals for poor AJ.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Hello, AJ. How are you?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39You look like a man out of breath.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Yeah, I've just carried this up halfway the Welsh mountains for you.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44- Thank you very much. - Where do you want it?
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- Come on, let's move it in where you want it to be.- Let's move it in.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Maybe a little bit of a brush down.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Up there? On the tarpaulin.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Let's leave it there for now.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58As the team get to work on painting the freestanding planter,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00there's still time and more than a few pallets left,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04so Danny and AJ have decided to knock up another vertical planter,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07which will be mounted to the wall.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10This is the pallet we are going to use for our vertical planter.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13So, here we are, one section, two section, three.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Here are the pieces of wood I've pulled off one of the other pallets,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20which will be nailed underneath each of the sections.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22One...
0:24:22 > 0:24:24two...
0:24:24 > 0:24:25three.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36There we go, all sorted.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Looks very rustic at the moment and a bit dirty,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40but once it's had a bit of a brush down,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43and then when Danny's painted it and then planted it,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45it'll look really good.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Right, I'm go off up to the wall now.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Well, AJ, you certainly made light work of that,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53but something tells me it's not all going to be plain sailing.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Where do you want it? I thought we'd push it up against the wall.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- Up here.- Where you want it?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00- Off the ground?- Mmm.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01Oh, no, mate.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03We haven't got anything to get it off the ground.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06See, ideally, I would have preferred it off the ground,
0:25:06 > 0:25:07but if that's not possible...
0:25:07 > 0:25:09How about...
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I've got something in the van that would give it two legs.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16It would look a bit more like a billboard up against the wall.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17- That'd be better.- Yeah?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20The reason being is that I want to put trailers,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- trailing plants down there.- Yeah, yeah. They're about this long.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Would that be fine? - That'd be great.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26That will take the weight of it
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and then just two screws in the wall will hold it from falling.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31That's brilliant. Something like that'd be fine.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Adding legs to a vertical planter like this
0:25:36 > 0:25:38will redistribute the weight of the planter
0:25:38 > 0:25:40and ease the burden on the wall.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- AJ.- Mmm?- I love your legs.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- You've got great legs, mate.- I know.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49So that's going to take the weight of the pallet.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- So...- It's going to screw in here now.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Screw in the wall. - Make a mark on the wall.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- And that'll be nice... - Plug and a screw.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Well done, AJ. Like a Scout, you are always prepared with a solution.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And I'm always prepared to do a bit of shopping,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04as I am sure Nicola is, too.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Danny has asked for three large plant pots,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and I think we've come to just the right place.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15- Right, we're looking for big contemporary pots.- OK.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16I believe there are lots here.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- You say pots...- Yeah. - ..I bring you to a world of pots.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29In terms of colours, I'm guessing this is kind of the thing you like.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Yes, I do like a baby blue colour.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I just wonder if they would go with anything else that they're planning in the garden.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Is that your preferred style?
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- Yeah.- That kind of country cottage, pretty...- Yeah.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42OK.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- Now, these are the same sort of shape but a lot darker.- Yeah.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Completely different sort of thing going on over here.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Terracotta, maybe something you'd see
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- in a sort of Mediterranean-type garden.- Yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:55- What about those?- Yeah, those...
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Cos they are the more neutral colours, yeah, I like them ones.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03- Very sort of modern, contemporary marbley ones.- Yeah.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Again, if it matches everything else that they've done the garden,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10then I would prefer to have those than more of the country ones.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14We heard from our good friend Eddie, with his flower tower, that the bigger the pot...
0:27:14 > 0:27:16The easier to maintain, yeah.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Easier to look after, which is probably quite key for you.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- Yeah.- These are really natural.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- Yeah.- But down here is something a bit more contemporary.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26I'm not sensing a lot of love for those, Nicola.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29I don't know, because I don't know what flowers
0:27:29 > 0:27:31they're putting in them or what's going around them.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33I like the look of them.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Let's get some help.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38I know a man. Head this way. THEY LAUGH
0:27:38 > 0:27:39It's our friend Tony again.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Not just helpful with pallets.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Tony, sorry to interrupt.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45- Hello.- This is Nicola.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- Hi, Nicola.- Hiya, nice to meet you.- And you.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50We are looking for three pots.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Right.- But, to be honest, we're spoilt for choice.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56There are so many different pots, shapes, sizes, colours, textures.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00- Where do you start?- You start with what the end product is going to be.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03So, essentially, if it's a big plant that is going to grow to a big size,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05you want a big pot.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Preferably round, cos a round pot, the roots will grow around the pot.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10If it's a square pot, roots grow to corners
0:28:10 > 0:28:12and roots don't like corners.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16So for most people's bedding, which is summer bedding, fuchsias,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20geraniums, flowers, not so fussy, because they don't grow to be old.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23They don't have large root structures.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26But if it's things that are going to be more established and last longer,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28longer term, ideally, a round pot,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31because you get better growth cos you get a rounder root bowl
0:28:31 > 0:28:32and they prefer that.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37Would you plant something different in this huge round pot,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39compared to this little oval pot,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42compared to this oblong-shaped pot?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Would you plant different things in those?
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Yes, essentially.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- OK.- Because, I mean, these are more...
0:28:47 > 0:28:51That's due to the design of the pot more so than the planting structure.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56These are classic, old, English, fire-glazed pot.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00More designed for alpines, violas, cos that is the right kind of look.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- OK.- I think it's more so...
0:29:03 > 0:29:06It's not just about the pots, it's about the overall look,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09in that if you put something that didn't work in there...
0:29:09 > 0:29:12If you put a conifer in there, it wouldn't really work.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16- Yes.- It's more of a softer pot, more delicate, small flowers,
0:29:16 > 0:29:18more sort of childlike, if you like.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21- We don't know what is going into Nicola's garden.- Right.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24So could we look at a few generic pots that might work, for instance?
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- Yes.- Let's go and look at some of these over here.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Who knew there was so much to think about when buying pots?
0:29:31 > 0:29:33I think this is going to take some time.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Back in the garden, AJ is turning his attention to the corner seat,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39which will comprise of three sections
0:29:39 > 0:29:42that can be pushed together to create an L-shaped sofa
0:29:42 > 0:29:44or used separately as a table and chairs.
0:29:46 > 0:29:47Right, then.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I've got these red pallets here, ready to make the corner seat.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56So, the first thing I'm going to do is put some legs on it, so, I'm going to turn it on its belly...
0:29:57 > 0:30:01..just to cut off some of this bit of wood that's in the way.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09This is what I'm going to use for the legs.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11They're all cut to the same size.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13That's going to make my job a lot easier.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Just put them in, butt them up against there,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19a couple of screws on all the legs and then turn it over
0:30:19 > 0:30:21and put one in the top, just for strength.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32I'm going to do another two like this,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34so we're going to have one there,
0:30:34 > 0:30:38one here and then the L-shaped leg here.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Just to show you the height of the seat.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45This is what I'm going to do with the second thing.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46But that's in theory.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51I think that's perfect seating for relaxing.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57And then, potentially, lie back and enjoy the sunshine...
0:30:58 > 0:31:00..when we get it.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Those two days of the year,
0:31:02 > 0:31:03it'll be brilliant.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Come on, AJ, there's no time for that.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- Right.- We've only got three hours to get this garden finished.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15And there we have, in theory, one pallet what Danny's ordered up.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16I'll get that up now,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18because I know Danny's got to get these painted
0:31:18 > 0:31:19and time is getting on.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22That's more like it.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Time to get all these pallets up to the garden.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27AJ has enlisted Luke and Scott to help.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Once in position, each piece of the furniture puzzle
0:31:29 > 0:31:31can be screwed together.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Meanwhile, with only a few hours left,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Danny is filling up the freestanding vertical planter
0:31:36 > 0:31:39with water-retaining succulents.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I'm going to plant this planter with succulents.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45They like free-draining soil and that's the reason I'm using them.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47The other reason I'm using them is that,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49because they like free-draining soil,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52you're not going to have to water them so often,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54which is great for Scott and Nicola,
0:31:54 > 0:31:56because I know they want a low-maintenance garden.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00You can tell a succulent by its waxy, fleshy leaf.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03And just look at that. Because it's got the ability to store water.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07So it can store water for a long time and look after itself,
0:32:07 > 0:32:08just like a camel.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14And these lewisias, they grow in the mountains of North America.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17And they will grow out of the sides, out of crevices.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21So, they don't need to take in much to survive.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24They need very little soil and they need very little water.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28The idea is to pack these in, so there's loads of colour
0:32:28 > 0:32:29and these lewisias,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33they will flower from spring right through to the autumn.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Now look at that. That looks great against the black of the planters.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38I think that works really wonderfully well.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40A fantastic plant.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44There are many varieties of easy-to-care-for plants around
0:32:44 > 0:32:48and if you're looking for ones that require little to no maintenance,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51it's a good idea to choose ones that are specially adapted
0:32:51 > 0:32:54to arid conditions, such as succulents.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Succulent plants are often grown for their ornamental value.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Because of their sculptural and unusual appearance,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05they look particularly striking against stone and brick.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11They usually have thickened and swollen fleshy leaves and stems,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13designed to retain water.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15They can also display waxy, hairy,
0:33:15 > 0:33:19or spiny surfaces to create a humid micro-habitat around the plant.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24They need almost no watering and very little soil,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27so they are extremely easy to care for.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30The most common in the UK are known as hens and chickens
0:33:30 > 0:33:32because the parent plants throw out
0:33:32 > 0:33:34masses of small offspring, the chicks.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36To create more new plants for free,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38simply break off the baby plants
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and push them gently into a rocky crevice
0:33:41 > 0:33:42or any other well-drained spot.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49While Danny cracks on planting his easy-to-maintain succulents,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51back at the garden centre,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Nicola and I are feeling quite overwhelmed
0:33:53 > 0:33:55by the sheer amount of pots on offer.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58There are so many different pots in here, Tony.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00A lot of people will be like Nicola,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03in that they'll have decking or yards or gravel areas.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06And, if they want colours and flowers and foliage,
0:34:06 > 0:34:08they're going to need to put things in pots.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09You keep mentioning style.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Would you say it's important to match?
0:34:11 > 0:34:14The customer has got to like the end result.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18So it's not for me to judge what you buy, because that's what you like.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21And if that's your taste, that's what you should have in your garden.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Nicola, it's your garden, so it's up to you.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26I don't think I can make a decision,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29cos I don't know what they're doing in the garden.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33I would prefer to have ones that match with everything else
0:34:33 > 0:34:37than just to go for what I like and then it just looks ridiculous with the rest of the garden.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39- Looks a bit random.- Yeah. - As you said, stick to the style.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- Yes.- Well, I think we could break The Instant Gardener rules
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and phone Scott. At least get an indication of what they are doing.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49- Yeah.- So you can get something that fits.- OK.- Tony, thank you for your advice and help.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- No worries. Good luck. Give me a shout if you need any help with the pots.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Right, let's phone Scott.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Tony says it's important to think about style
0:34:57 > 0:34:59when picking out plant pots,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03but as Nicola has no idea what sort of garden Danny has in mind for her,
0:35:03 > 0:35:04she's going to call Scott,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08who can hopefully shed some light on exactly what Nicola needs to get.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10PHONE RINGS
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- Hello.- Hello. We're looking at pots.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16And we've got hundreds and hundreds of different types of pots here.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18There are ones that I really like,
0:35:18 > 0:35:19but I don't want to get them
0:35:19 > 0:35:24if they don't go with anything else that they're doing in the garden.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Yeah, the problem we've got here is there's quite a lot of colour.
0:35:28 > 0:35:34So, I'd be thinking that if you get something that's sort of colourful,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37it's going to be a bit too much colour going on in the garden.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- Right.- So, we were sort of hoping
0:35:39 > 0:35:43that you would go for the more charcoaly, black,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45sort of contemporary sort of colours.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49So we'll have more of a theme, rather than lots of colour.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54Could we get away with the shabby chic style of pots,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57but in a neutral colour?
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Or should we go for the really contemporary, minimalist,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04think square and clean lines?
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Can we...? Or have we got to have those ones?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09I think we are more concerned with colour rather than style, Danny?
0:36:09 > 0:36:10Is that right?
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Well, more colour than style, yeah.
0:36:13 > 0:36:14- More colour.- More colour.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17It's more of a colour issue with us, rather than the style.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Style doesn't matter,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22as long as they're more neutral.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Just go for the more sort of...
0:36:24 > 0:36:27yeah, more neutral sort of coloured ones, I would.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- OK.- Rather than the colour ones. OK?
0:36:29 > 0:36:30But style doesn't matter,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33whether it's modern or whether it's more traditional,
0:36:33 > 0:36:34style doesn't matter?
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Do you understand what I'm saying?
0:36:36 > 0:36:38Yeah, I think so, yeah.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40- You think so?- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:36:40 > 0:36:41OK. No problem.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45- I'll speak to you later. - OK. Ta-ra.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49At the risk of tarring all men with the same brush, his head is exploding now, isn't it?
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- Probably.- You said, "What style do you want?" He's like, "Too many questions."
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- He's thinking, "Style, what is that?"- Yeah. THEY LAUGH
0:36:55 > 0:36:57"As long as you're happy, I'm happy."
0:36:57 > 0:36:58- Yeah.- Something dark.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I think we can find that.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03OK. I think that's clear.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Large, neutral pots, preferably dark in colour.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- Well...- Yeah, these ones...
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- We were told to get big ones. They're the biggest.- Yeah, these are the biggest, aren't they?
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Shall we get three of those? Are they taller than those? Yeah.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- Yeah.- That's about my knee height.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Or the square version? Round or square?
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- Round, yeah.- OK. Let's get three of those.- Yeah.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Because I am like a bull in a china shop, I'm going to get Tony to get those,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29rather than try and crash through them and get them out.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31- One, two, three?- Yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- Happy?- Yeah.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34Scott's not, but anyway...
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Now time to get these pots in the car and head back to the garden,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42where Danny has an unusual idea to put Scott.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45But, with time running out, and the weather turning again,
0:37:45 > 0:37:49will Danny's bright idea be a stroke of genius or a total wash-out?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51I'm going to make a turf seat here.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53I take it you've never heard of a turf seat?
0:37:53 > 0:37:55- No.- A turf seat, basically,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58is something that you can sit on that's made out of turf.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00The way we're going to do that is
0:38:00 > 0:38:02we're going to put hessian round the edge...
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- Right, OK. - ..and then soil within the hessian,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06so the hessian's containing the soil.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- Right, OK.- And we're putting in a false bottom.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10- You can see the start of it here.- Yeah.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13And then we're going to fill that up to the top with soil
0:38:13 > 0:38:16and then the turf's going to go on top.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19And all you need to do every couple of weeks,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- just give it a trim with a pair of shears.- With some shears? - And that's it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- What do you think of the idea?- I... Mind-blowing, if I'm being honest.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28HE LAUGHS
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Hessian is a cheap way of hiding the false bottom
0:38:31 > 0:38:34and giving the turf seat a nice shabby chic finish.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Turf is very easy to look after.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43It will grow on that much of soil.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46All Scott will need to do is keep it watered.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47And I'm going to lay the turf
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and I'm just cutting carefully round the edge,
0:38:50 > 0:38:51so that all fits nice and snug.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Snug as a bug in a rug.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58With the final piece of furniture in place,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01it's time for me to deliver the troublesome pots.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03But what will Danny and Scott think of them?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- Chaps!- Hello, Helen.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08You've been busy.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- There's one pot.- Oh, thank you.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- Let's put this down on the ground for now.- I love these pallets, they look brilliant.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Yeah, I'm really proud of those. I think they look fantastic, as well.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- What's that?- That's a turf seat.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20- Oh.- Yeah.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Have you ever seen one? What?
0:39:22 > 0:39:23- What you laughing at?- Look at him.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24Look at his face!
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- HE LAUGHS Are you all right, Scott? - I'm fine, yeah.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29No, he's done all right. I think he's worried.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- Worried about Nicola?- Yeah, yeah. - He's hoping that she's going to like it.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I did get the impression from the pot phone call
0:39:34 > 0:39:39that she knows what she likes and she likes what she knows.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- Yeah.- She's got quite a distinct taste, hasn't she?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44It was just the vocabulary that she was throwing at me.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49- It was blowing my mind slightly. - I did say, I think there's probably husbands all over the country
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- who empathise with that conversation.- Yeah. - But will that suffice?
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- That is great. I like it.- It's not what you originally wanted, but, let's be honest...
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- It's not...- ..you're not going to argue with the girls.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03No, I'm not going to argue with the girls, and it's all about compromise. So, that's fine.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Would you like me to pot these up for you?- You could help me. That'd be great.- OK.- OK.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Right, I'll get the pots, I'll pot them up.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10We'll get the show on the road.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11See you soon.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13THEY LAUGH Two broken men - I love it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15That's right.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18It might have been a day of lashing wet weather,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20but, finally, the finish line is in sight.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22And not a moment too soon.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23Right, let's go for it. Five minutes.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Let's get tidy, let's get going.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40At the start of the day, this garden was nothing but a drab, empty space
0:40:40 > 0:40:42with slippery algae-fied decking.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51But now it's a contemporary outdoor room, perfect for entertaining,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53relaxing and socialising.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Splashes of brightly-coloured paint, juxtaposed with striking furniture,
0:41:00 > 0:41:06creates a modern, funky vibe to this previously unloved space,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09with a plethora of seating options, made from recycled pallets,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12perfect for any number of guests.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15The carefully chosen pots are now home
0:41:15 > 0:41:18to these theme-fitting pink cordylines
0:41:18 > 0:41:20and home-made upcycled pallet planters
0:41:20 > 0:41:23are stuffed with pretty, low-maintenance succulents,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26which are ideal for this busy couple.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31And all of this was done in one day and on a tiny budget.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34It's time to see what Nicola makes of her new-look garden.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Step this way.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39This morning, it was a box.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40- SHE GASPS - It's nice, innit?
0:41:40 > 0:41:42These are lovely.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Ah, look at that!
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- Like it?- Ah, yeah. It's lovely.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- Oh, you've worked hard.- I know.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- And the lights.- And the pots.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53And the pots look lovely with it.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- SHE LAUGHS - Yeah, it's lovely.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- What's that?- That's a...
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- a turf...- A turf seat.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Ah! It looks nice, I like it.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06I like that, yeah.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08And I love the flowers on there.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10That's really, really pretty.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- I love that.- You see what they're made out of?
0:42:13 > 0:42:15- Pallet things, is it? - Pallets, yeah.- Yeah, they're lovely.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17We've used recycled pallets
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- and AJ's worked really hard today to bring it all together.- Well done.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22SHE LAUGHS
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- My pleasure.- Yeah, I love it. It's really, really nice.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26And it's not too much.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Cos when you said on the phone there was lots of colour,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33I thought I was going to come out here and it was going to be like a rainbow, but it's not.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35And it all complements.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36What do you think the pink wall?
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Oh, I didn't notice that!
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Yeah, it's lovely.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Scott says that pink is one of your favourite colours.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- Is it?- You're supposed to say yes.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48No, I...
0:42:48 > 0:42:50- It's fine.- I do... I do like pink.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53To be honest, pinks and purples are my favourites.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55- Are they?- Yeah, it's really, really pretty.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- Are you happy with these pots, or would you rather have got black ones?- Yeah. I think those look...
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- ..those look lovely. - They look great.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Yeah. And they still go with the general theme, as well,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07cos that's what we were trying to get at.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11That's what we were trying to get from you, Scott. Do you think you'll use this space now?
0:43:11 > 0:43:12Yeah, definitely.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14I love the seating area down the bottom.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17- Cos we didn't really know how to sort of section it off, either, did we?- Yeah.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22- So, I think it's clear that that area can be like a chill-out... - And it's a big space, as well...
0:43:22 > 0:43:27- Yeah.- ..so you can fit more than two people on there, if we had people over, which is ideal.- Yeah.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30- It's lovely.- Yeah? Good.- Thank you very much.- That's OK, pleasure.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32I think this is a brilliant space.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34- Yeah.- Guys, you've done an amazing job.
0:43:34 > 0:43:36Nicola, I hope you enjoy it.
0:43:36 > 0:43:37I can see you lot having parties out here.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40- Yeah.- Enjoying sunrise, sunset.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43- Yeah.- A fab space for a fun couple.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45- Job well done, guys.- Thank you.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Team, go and have an explore,
0:43:46 > 0:43:48have a wander round, take in the garden,
0:43:48 > 0:43:49because there is lots to see.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53- Enjoy. Good job.- Thank you.- You're going to get a list of chores now, aren't you?- I know.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57- Have a look around.- Right.- Go, go, go.- Thank you, guys.- I think you should go and have a sit down.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59- Yeah, I think I will.- Or a lie down.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01Good job. Good job!
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Nicola and Scott wanted a space that they can socialise in,
0:44:05 > 0:44:07and they've certainly got that.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10With a bit of creativity and a bit of colour,
0:44:10 > 0:44:12they've got an outdoor room perfect for partying in.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15Join us next time for another instant garden.