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 a mess than majestic,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09making it over can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13especially if you're short on time and money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Well, The Instant Gardner is here.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Ta-dah!
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:22 > 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
0:00:28 > 0:00:30gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Doesn't that look great?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to help you get to grips with your own outdoor space.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Just continually deadhead
0:00:41 > 0:00:44and you will keep getting that plant to flower.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- He'll be turning garden junk... - Oh, look at that!
0:00:48 > 0:00:49..into garden jewels.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It's going to be used as a planter,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56and I think this is going to look absolutely terrific.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59And 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 Gardner,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13everything you see will happen in a single day.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15Oh, thank you so much.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Oh, wow.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18That's unbelievable!
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Today, we're in the Cumbrian hamlet of Ackenthwaite,
0:01:28 > 0:01:29just outside Kendal.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Nestled on the edge of the Lake District,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34the undulating hills and fertile valleys here
0:01:34 > 0:01:37provide some of the best green views in the country.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39But one local resident has been
0:01:39 > 0:01:41enjoying a rather less pleasant view
0:01:41 > 0:01:43out of her back window.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Her daughter Debbie got in touch to see if the Instant Gardener
0:01:46 > 0:01:49can help her mum quite literally out of a hole.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Now, Debbie knows we're coming, her mum doesn't.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53Let's go and surprise them.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Hello!- Hello.- Hello, you must be Debbie.- I am, yes.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Nice to meet you, Debbie. Come on out.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- So, you live here with your mum? - That's right, yes.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14She does not know that we're coming?
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- No, she knows something's going on, but not what.- Right.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- Shall we go and find her?- Yes.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22'What's going on? I'm reading this paper.'
0:02:23 > 0:02:27I'm sorry, Dorothy. I'm coming in with big muddy boots on.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30My name's Helen.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34We have come here to hopefully spring a nice surprise on you.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Well, I knew there was something happening!
0:02:38 > 0:02:4174-year-old Dorothy is a keen gardener
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and has lived in this house for 17 years.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46After her father passed away, though,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49her health began to deteriorate, and her daughter Debbie
0:02:49 > 0:02:53and grandsons Nathan and Tim arranged to move in with her.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56However, the building work required to make the bungalow
0:02:56 > 0:02:59accessible for her and accommodate the whole family
0:02:59 > 0:03:03has left her once-immaculate garden with a rather large blemish -
0:03:03 > 0:03:07a six-metre long hole that's nearly a metre deep.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11And neither she nor her family have a clue what to do with it.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I'm hoping maybe Danny does.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Luckily, he came to Cumbria a week ago when Debbie invited him
0:03:17 > 0:03:19to check out what he'll be up against.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I'm here today to have a sneaky view at a garden,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28cos it's always a good idea to have a look before we get started.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Ooh!
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Well, it looks like a bomb's gone off, it looks like a crater.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Which is a bit of a shame
0:03:38 > 0:03:42because the surrounding is absolutely gorgeous.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Now, just to look at this bit.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Whoever lives here certainly knows how to garden.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49It's absolutely beautiful.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52What a lovely view out there,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55so they've got lovely borrowed scenery.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59So, this crater has been left
0:03:59 > 0:04:03after that extension has been built to the bungalow.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05And it's quite deep.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I mean, I would say that's a good metre deep.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11One of the things I like about this garden is its slopes,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13which makes it a very interesting.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I kind of feel we need to run with it, work with it,
0:04:16 > 0:04:17keep the interesting theme going.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22As beautiful as this garden is, you know,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24there's no way Dorothy can enjoy it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Because she can't get from that hole that's down there
0:04:27 > 0:04:29up onto this bit.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Another thing too is when they're indoors
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and they're looking out, how can they enjoy this
0:04:35 > 0:04:38if what's going down there is taking their eye?
0:04:38 > 0:04:39Do you know what?
0:04:39 > 0:04:43I think this is one of those jobs that really has got to involve AJ.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45I'm going to have to break the news to him, so wish me luck.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Wow, I hope Danny isn't biting off more than he can chew this time.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Still, he's had seven days to mull things over
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and today, he's come back to the Lake District to meet Dorothy.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- Hello, Danny.- Hello, Helen. - Now, I know you know Debbie.- Yes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- But you don't know the lady of the house.- Hello.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07This is Dorothy, who is a keen gardener.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- You've got a wonderful garden, good to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Tell me about the garden then, Dorothy. Why is it in this state?
0:05:13 > 0:05:17We wanted to make...enlarge the bungalow,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and they started to dig the foundations.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25So, the diggers went 7ft down to put our big foundations on.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30They had to clear this soil away and start digging and that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33And that, of course, it was in the way to go down.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Now this garden is a bit of a hazard for anybody,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- but your arthritis is quite intense, isn't it?- Yes, very intense.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40It's acute.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Some days I can do lots, some days I can't do anything,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46some days I can do little.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48So, how much of a worry is this garden?
0:05:48 > 0:05:51It frightens me to death because she's always tinkering,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54so just to get to the shed, we have to have an army...!
0:05:54 > 0:05:58An army manoeuvre to get her down here, across there and...
0:05:58 > 0:06:00But not just for your mum, for you as well.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- You can't enjoy it, can you? - No, I hate it because the top...
0:06:02 > 0:06:05We made some little pretend steps over there and the top one wobbles!
0:06:05 > 0:06:08So, I have to get on the top, then get hold of the bench to get up!
0:06:08 > 0:06:10SHE LAUGHS
0:06:10 > 0:06:12It's a bit of an assault course for you, Dorothy, isn't it?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15It is, yes, I won't be going to the Olympics.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17HE LAUGHS
0:06:17 > 0:06:18Can you work with this space, Danny?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Yes, we can definitely work with this space.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24It's going to be a bit of a challenge, but I think we can do it.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28I guess the key thing is making it safe and making it usable, is it?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Yes, please. It would be lovely to have somewhere that we could all
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- be together outside, wouldn't it? - Yes, and sit, relax and sit.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Listen to the birds.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- How important is this garden to you, Dorothy?- Very.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Keeps you going, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45Besides my family and my dog, my garden and wildlife is my life.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Even when I was working, I always looked after the garden.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51It's just everything.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Well, at the minute, it is literally a hazard.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56A bombsite, it just looks like a bombsite, doesn't it?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58But hopefully by the end of the day,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01we will have a space that you can enjoy with your family.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Sound good?- Sounds brilliant. - Brilliant.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- I've got a list for you.- Right.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11We will go shopping. So, we're going for a shrub with a spring scent.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Mm-hm.- Sound good?- Yeah.- OK. - We shall get out of your hair.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17We'll go shopping, ladies, and let them crack on.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I never in my wildest dreams expected anything like this.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I now have to get my glad rags out for a day out!
0:07:24 > 0:07:27So, while I take Dorothy and Debbie off for a much-needed escape
0:07:27 > 0:07:31from their nightmare garden, let's hope Danny has a plan in mind
0:07:31 > 0:07:34for dealing with this troublesome trench.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38This garden today is all about this big crater,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41and what we're going to do here is a sunken garden.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44We're going to need to retain these sides here,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46so we're going to use sleepers.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50So, we'll put sleepers all around here with a step
0:07:50 > 0:07:51leading up to the slopey
0:07:51 > 0:07:53upper terrace over there.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57For the surface - the surface has got to be nice and safe -
0:07:57 > 0:07:59we're going to put slate down.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I'm going to make it more interesting,
0:08:02 > 0:08:03I'm not going to have one colour.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07I'm going to have the same material but in two different colours.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09And I'm going to have one colour over here
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and I'm going to have one colour over there.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Rather than one expanse, we're going to break it up.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18There's going to be a gap between the sleepers and this bank here.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21So, what I want to do is join this area up
0:08:21 > 0:08:25with the top of the sleepers and blend the planting in.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29So, the idea is to take some of the plants perhaps from Dorothy's garden
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and bring them down to this area here.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35So, that we kind of have a bit of unity going on.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I thought it might be a good idea to add some plants down below,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41just to break that surface up.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46There is one existing plant that's very important to the family
0:08:46 > 0:08:49because they use it as a memorial to Dorothy's late father.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It's a Kilmarnock willow. And I think what might be a nice idea
0:08:55 > 0:08:58to give the garden a bit of balance
0:08:58 > 0:09:00is to replicate it just over there.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07Now what we're going to do is make this area a nice, restful place
0:09:07 > 0:09:10where Dorothy can contemplate with her family.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11You know what would be a great idea?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14To bring some scented plants into this space.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17So, Danny plans to turn a horrible hole
0:09:17 > 0:09:19into a delightful sunken garden
0:09:19 > 0:09:22by shoring up the side walls with sleepers
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and creating a patio using slate in contrasting colours.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29He's going to add a new flower bed above the sleepers,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31which will be easy for Dorothy to manage
0:09:31 > 0:09:33because she won't need to bend down.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36He's going to put in a Kilmarnock willow that will match
0:09:36 > 0:09:38the one Dorothy planted in memory of her father.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41And he's going to add scented plants
0:09:41 > 0:09:43to the new lower layer of the garden.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45This is one of the biggest challenges
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I think I've ever taken on.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49We want to turn this hole,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53this crater into somewhere that's restful and peaceful.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56And it's going to be a massive challenge.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59With such a big job ahead, Danny and will need lots of help.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04As ever, handyman AJ is ready on site to tackle all those sleepers,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08along with Luke and Amyrose, who certainly won't be caught napping.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And getting stuck in to help out their grandmother
0:10:11 > 0:10:13are Debbie's sons, Nathan and Tim.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- It's going to be a sunken garden. - Yep.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- But we need to retain the walls all around.- Right.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- And what we're going to do is use sleepers.- OK.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25And in the middle here, we're going to use an aggregate.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29So, Nathan, I understand you're a bit of a whiz when it comes to DIY?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I did a little bit of here and there rendering, plastering.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35A little bit of landscaping on the outside,
0:10:35 > 0:10:36so what you see here.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Basically, I've done the damage and you're here to fix it!
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- So, it was me, yeah, unfortunately. - And yourself?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Actually, that fence was my handiwork.- Oh, was it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Oh, it's brilliant. No, brilliant, sorry. Fantastic!
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Couldn't have done a better job myself.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51We need to spread all this rubble that's here.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53So, we need to level it all off.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57So, perhaps two of us could do that while one of you can help AJ.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59As you can see, it's very stony,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01so I think it's going to be quite hard digging.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Now, the weather is going to close in on us.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07I know we've only got maybe two hours at best of decent weather.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I think we really need to get moving.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10- Let's do it, sounds good.- Let's go.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15With those storm clouds brewing, it's a race against time
0:11:15 > 0:11:17getting everywhere cleared,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20so AJ can fit the retaining wall of wooden sleepers.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23What we're doing here first, me and Nathan, we're digging the first
0:11:23 > 0:11:27two holes here to get the posts in and get them set in the concrete,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29so we can get the first row of sleepers up,
0:11:29 > 0:11:30and then that will make it
0:11:30 > 0:11:34easier for us to do then follow it off down both sides of here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39It's going to be hard, this is just solid stone all the way.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45As you can see, it's just boulders.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Going to have to go about two foot, you need as much post
0:11:48 > 0:11:51in the ground because, in theory, if you imagine my arm's the post,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53you've got the sleepers up against here,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56we've got all this soil here pushing here.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59You need as much in the ground to counterbalance, to stop it moving.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Tim and I just spreading the rubble all around this surface,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10and we've got to try and get it as level as possible.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13It's heavy work, but the team are already making
0:12:13 > 0:12:16a major difference to this real-life blot on the landscape.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19But suddenly, the heavens open.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20It's raining.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25Ideal conditions for doing a job like this, I don't think.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29In fact, it's hailstones, the sort of weather that could sink
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Danny's sunken garden before it's even begun.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35But it won't deter the Instant Gardener team.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36We've just had a bit of a deluge.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40It's eased off a bit now, but as a security, we've put this gazebo up.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43We need to keep everything nice and dry.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Otherwise, we're just going to have a horrible mess.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48But you know, we can't let that stop us because we want to get
0:12:48 > 0:12:51this garden done for Dorothy, that is so important.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54I really do not want to disappoint her.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I have every faith in you, Danny.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59And I'm taking Dorothy and Debbie on an inspirational day out
0:12:59 > 0:13:02that I'm sure won't disappoint.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Dorothy, I'm taking you to a garden that I think you're going to like,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08I hope you're going to like it.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10It's very grand.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Very fitting for yourself.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13Oh, yes, thank you.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Not sure about that! - THEY LAUGH
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Park House is a privately-owned
0:13:19 > 0:13:21romantic manor house
0:13:21 > 0:13:23that opens under the National Gardens Scheme.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26It combines formal gardens with wonderful views
0:13:26 > 0:13:28over the surrounding countryside.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32And as it includes a sunken garden, it's got plenty of ideas to offer.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- I would love to say that this is my house. Sadly, it is not.- Come on.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Come in here.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- And have a little look at this. - Wow. Will you look at that?
0:13:46 > 0:13:49A couple of times a year, these gardens are open to the public.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55- It's just gorgeous, isn't it? - What a beautiful situation.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00The way the garden frames the view is really cleverly done, isn't it?
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- The vista is stunning, isn't it? - Beautiful, beautiful.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06And you see, they've incorporated
0:14:06 > 0:14:11some beautiful modern sculpture in, and it fits.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Yes.- You wouldn't think it would fit, but it's...
0:14:14 > 0:14:16And it's not over manicured, is it?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Because, you know, they've got the tulips
0:14:18 > 0:14:20and the daffodils in the lawn.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- Could you see yourself in this garden, Dorothy?- Oh, yes.- Oh, yes.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Oh, yes!- Could you?- Oh, yes! SHE LAUGHS
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- I think we'd be at home here. - Very nice!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Not too shabby for us, Dorothy.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Look at that!
0:14:37 > 0:14:39We could get a good view for it over here, Dorothy.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Beautiful, beautiful.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Oh, no.- Wow, look all that. - Look at that!
0:14:44 > 0:14:48It's almost Elizabethan, isn't it? In the way it's laid out.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50That is lovely, that fountain, isn't it?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- You've seen those two little frogs? - Yes!
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- King with crowns on their head. - Or princes.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I feel like this garden offers something for everyone.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Formal water feature. - That's right.- Lovely lawn.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- It's beautiful, isn't it? - It is beautiful.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's made the most of the area
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and the natural features of the area, hasn't it?
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Yes, it's beautiful. - And brought it into the garden.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But they've managed to somehow keep it formal
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and yet natural-looking and informal.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19You could sit here and have a sort of nice morning coffee.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- You could sit down there and have an evening cocktail.- It's very nice.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26It's a garden you can play in, relax in, entertain in.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31And the water...and the sound of the water is so relaxing, it's lovely.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32I love it.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Is there anything here you'd like to copy for your garden?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38I like the arbour, I like the idea of having somewhere quiet to go
0:15:38 > 0:15:42and just to be on my own and read and have a cup of tea.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Because I guess, for you, the garden really is an extra room?- Yes.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Three generations living in one house,
0:15:47 > 0:15:49it's important to have that, isn't it?
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- Yeah, breakout space we call it, don't we?- Yes, yes.- Breakout space!
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Well, let's go meet the man who has worked tirelessly on this place.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Because it does take a lot of work.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- I'd like to congratulate him because it's wonderful.- Yes, it must do.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05While we go in search of the garden's creator,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09back in Dorothy's own garden, it's still throwing it down.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13But at least AJ has dug some little holes in that big 'un.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16The post is going to go in there, going to concrete them in,
0:16:16 > 0:16:17try and get them as level as...
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I've asked Nathan to go and get another post,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22and I'll put that on the ground just to try and get
0:16:22 > 0:16:24both the flat edges together, so they're in line.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Which then means the sleepers will go up against them nice and flush.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Get them screwed in and then build it up. Easy as peasy.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- DRIZZLE - Apart from this weather.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Because the sleepers will need to withstand
0:16:35 > 0:16:38the pressure from that huge weight of soil on the bank,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42AJ needs to fix the posts so they lean back at a slight angle.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44That way, they will counteract any subsidence.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49AJ is busy over there putting in the retaining wall.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Now, the reason that's going to be the first wall that goes in
0:16:52 > 0:16:56is because we want to run everything off of that.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58So, once AJ has done that,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01we'll know where to put the sleepers for this retaining wall
0:17:01 > 0:17:04and that retaining wall over there
0:17:04 > 0:17:06and we'll know where to dig the holes.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Get the sleepers in then, boys. Three to start with.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15AJ fixes each sleeper to the post with diagonally-angled screws
0:17:15 > 0:17:19from the top, so they won't be seen from the front when he's finished.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Then he'll screw in the top sleeper from the back of the post
0:17:22 > 0:17:23to give it a nice clean finish.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28We've just come to a section now and it's stopped raining.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Somebody is looking down on us.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Well, you deserve a break, boys.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36But not before you finish the next retaining wall.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38There we go, four holes. Start digging.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42I must say, I wouldn't fancy digging through all those rocks.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Very proud of my chain gang here. Very proud indeed.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49While AJ and the team carry on with their mammoth task,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Danny wants to take a close look at Dorothy's existing garden,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54or what's left of it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Tell you what, it's nice to have a break
0:17:57 > 0:17:58from what's going on down there.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00I must admit, I'm at a bit of a loose end.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05So, I thought I'd just take a little walk around Dorothy's garden.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07And just have a look and see what style of planting
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and what plants she's got in here.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I mean, at a glance,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I can see it's all a typically English cottage garden.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17She's got some aquilegia here, granny's bonnet.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19And over here, she's got some roses.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Cornflower there.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25So, really what I'm looking for at the moment is anything I can split.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Because I want to try and blend what's up here
0:18:28 > 0:18:30into the garden down below.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33So, I'm going to try and harmonise this garden.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Bring what's here down there,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38and what I'm going to do is do a bit of splitting.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So, I'm looking for plants that I can split quite comfortably.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44An example of that will be these foxgloves.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45I think they're a bit crowded.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47These ones are crowding this yew here,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50so perhaps I could dig those out.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52What I can see, which I absolutely love,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55is this white flower down here, which is called hesperis.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57It's absolutely beautiful.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59There's a bit of white going on in the garden,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02where everything else at the moment is blue or yellow.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05So, it's nice to have an alternative colour.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07So, what I'm going to do, I'm going to form a bed here.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Just along here, form a straight line, lift this turf,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12put some lovely soil in there, turn it over.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17And the plants I was going to put in there are going to come down here.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18OK, Danny, good plan.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Now, you better get on with it
0:19:20 > 0:19:22because half the day has already gone.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Back in the gorgeous and slightly less rain-washed
0:19:27 > 0:19:31garden at Park House, I'm taking mum Dorothy and daughter Debbie
0:19:31 > 0:19:33to meet the man who looks after it -
0:19:33 > 0:19:35head gardener Nick Berry.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37We're hoping for a few tips about how to minimise
0:19:37 > 0:19:41the maintenance of a lush floral garden like this.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Nick, sorry to interrupt.- Hello!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Hello!- Hello, you like it?
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- Debbie, Dorothy.- Hiya. You OK?
0:19:48 > 0:19:52I'm a baker, so the currants, the rhubarb.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- Plenty of those, yes. - Your orchards, apples, stewed pears.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- I would be in my element. - Come and work with me!
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- It feels like this garden has different sections.- Yes.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Obviously, fruit and veg here, this is a bit more relaxed,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- then you've got the water feature, then the orchard.- Yeah.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12How much time does it take to look after all of this?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Yeah, well, it's a difficult one
0:20:14 > 0:20:17because you could easily spend full-time here all the time.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21So, it's prioritising, making the groundwork,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24using the right soil, the right excavations
0:20:24 > 0:20:26so that the plants thrive.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28So, if you want a garden that offers a lot,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31but you don't want to work full-time on it, what's the key?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Don't be afraid of putting shrubs in. OK?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It gives you your structure, it gives you your shape.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40It gives different seasons of interest,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44whereas your herbaceous borders and your flowering plants
0:20:44 > 0:20:48look beautiful for a month and then they go over.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51The shrubs give you your shape and your depth.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Can you ever stop weeds?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Obviously, for minimalist gardens,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58there's always weed suppressant membrane.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01But for things like your flowering beds and stuff,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03you can't really stop the weeds.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06You just need to fill it as much as you possibly can with plants
0:21:06 > 0:21:09to limit the amount of weed growth.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15- I can't weed any more. So, that's the bugbear in the garden.- Yeah.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- Yeah, the raised beds here are marvellous.- They're fantastic.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- The raised beds for anyone with mobility problems...- Yeah.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27That's what I would recommend.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Yeah, now there's so many hand tools
0:21:30 > 0:21:33rather than the long backbreaking hoes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35If you've got your raised bed,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38you can just plod along and just do it with that.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40The main thing is don't let them flower and set seed.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- That's right, that's right. - You know, that's your main thing.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Nick, you're doing an amazing job here, the garden is beautiful.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- Thank you very much. - Thank you.- Amazing.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Dorothy, I'm going to leave you here with Nick for five, ten minutes
0:21:52 > 0:21:54because I think you could both use each other's expertise.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57THEY LAUGH We'll go off to have a catch-up.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- Now, see you in a minute.- See you.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- Thanks, Dorothy.- Bye. Bye.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- We'll never get her back! - No, she'll be there all afternoon.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10If you fancy creating a cottage garden or even just a border,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13remember these three tips from the Instant Gardener.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17No space should go to waste in the traditional English border,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20so you should pack your plants in.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22That way, you'll crowd out the weeds
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and only allow room for the cottage garden plants you want to display.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29To get the natural look, avoid planting in rows.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Instead, think about grouping things together in drifts
0:22:32 > 0:22:35to get a much more natural look to your garden.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38And when they finish growing, let plants go to seed
0:22:38 > 0:22:40and let those seeds grow where they fall.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Simply weed out the ones that don't seem to be in the right place.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51The rain is still threatening to turn the space into a swimming pool
0:22:51 > 0:22:54and there's only five hours left to finish the whole job.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57But with two of the three timber walls in place,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00the area is starting to look more like a sunken garden
0:23:00 > 0:23:02than the perilous pit that was here earlier.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05And now AJ wants to build some steps that will give Dorothy
0:23:05 > 0:23:08proper access to the rest of her garden.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Hello, AJ. How's it going?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- Not bad.- Yeah? You look worn out. - Yeah.- This is hard work, isn't it?
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Yeah, we've got two sizes of sleepers in
0:23:20 > 0:23:22and we've also cut off the posts.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24So they're ready to be backfilled,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28but I want to cut one of these in half to get the width of the step.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Do you fancy cutting some?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32I wouldn't mind cutting one for you.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- OK?- Two?- Two, you want another two done?- Yeah.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39I tell you what, I'd love to do that two for you
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- cos I've just got the tool to do it.- Yeah.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45If you're not experienced in using an electric chainsaw like Danny is,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49then get your timber cut to length at the timber mill when you buy it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52There usually isn't an extra charge, but it does mean you have to be
0:23:52 > 0:23:56very sure of your measurements when you put in your order.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Oh, steady, steady!
0:23:58 > 0:24:02With the sleepers cut, Danny is keen to start his new bed.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Using a post offcut and his half-moon edger,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Danny can cut a clean straight line through the lawn.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Yeah, I'm happy with that.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Now, all we now need to do is dig out the turf.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22Meanwhile, AJ is making progress on the steps.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Obviously, I've put this gravel down here,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27because when you're making steps, you need to make it level.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29So, we're starting off with three sleepers,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31then we'll have two sleepers here
0:24:31 > 0:24:33and one sleeper up here, and you'll walk off.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Then we're going to backfill all this and build it up
0:24:36 > 0:24:38and then it should all be all nice and flush.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44This pre-treated timber should last many years, so all AJ needs to do
0:24:44 > 0:24:47is screw the sleepers in place so they won't slip.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50And alongside them, Danny is digging more holes in the ground,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53which will provide more opportunity for planting later on.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55So, I'm digging a nice big hole,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59going to fill it full of compost, and then I'm going to
0:24:59 > 0:25:03put my plant in, just to give it the best possible start in life.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08It's been raining solidly now for four hours.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10But at least we're relatively dry.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17And hopefully, on time to get the garden finished
0:25:17 > 0:25:19before Dorothy gets back.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I love the positive attitude, Danny. You're certainly no drip.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Back at Park House, Debbie and I also have to take cover
0:25:28 > 0:25:31while I take the chance to find out why she nominated her mum
0:25:31 > 0:25:33for the Instant Gardener treatment.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Tell me about your wonderful mum.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40She's just so full of energy and she's just always laughing
0:25:40 > 0:25:43and everybody around the neighbourhood, you hear her coming
0:25:43 > 0:25:46because you hear the stick and then you hear the laugh.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50And then they go, "Oh, Dorothy's coming." She is just brilliant.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Her mobility is not what it once was, though, is it?- No, it's not.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55That really... It's the thing...
0:25:55 > 0:25:57It does get her down because it holds her back quite a lot.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59How bad is the arthritis?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01She's got it in all her joints now - in her neck, in her spine,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03her hands, her feet.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04She's just full of it, really.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07But she had her knee replaced and that was meant to be
0:26:07 > 0:26:10the first of a series of operations, but it didn't go to plan, did it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:14No, and unfortunately, it didn't quite work as we wanted it to
0:26:14 > 0:26:17and it's left her quite lame with that leg, really.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19And that has really debilitated her.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21But she carries on regardless.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It strikes me that your mum is quite a selfless woman.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- She brought you and your brother up. - She's just been brilliant, really.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Once we were on our way and independent,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33that's when she went off and found a career of her own.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And even then, she was always caring and always looking after people
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and even though some of the things she encountered
0:26:40 > 0:26:42were quite harrowing,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45she always looked after the people that she was there so care for.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48You know, they came first, always.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Even to her own detriment, really, but that's how she is.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54That's how she is. And then, of course, the arthritis
0:26:54 > 0:26:56became so bad that she had to retire.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Unfortunately, she was able to come up to Cumbria
0:26:59 > 0:27:02and be with her dad for his last few years, which was lovely.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03- And you have your two boys.- Yes.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Who although they're grown up and doing their own thing,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09you think it's very important to still provide a home for them?
0:27:09 > 0:27:10- That's right. - And look after your mum.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- And that's why you've ended up living together.- That's right.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15How is it going? Three generations in one house.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18We've gelled really quite well, I think. In fact, amazingly so.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We're all surprised at how well it's gone.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- SHE GIGGLES - Nobody's killed anybody yet!
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Because a big change for you, you've given up your own home...
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- That's right.- ..to come and live with your mum.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Which I thought I would find really hard.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33And it's not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35I'm really, really enjoying it
0:27:35 > 0:27:38and I'm really lucky to be able to do what I'm doing.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43- So, we need this garden to be safe, usable and multifunctional?- Yes.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45No pressure, Danny!
0:27:45 > 0:27:48The biggest pressure Danny faces is time.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52He's only got two and a half hours left to complete Dorothy's garden.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54But with the sleepers and steps now well underway,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Danny wants to plant a Himalayan willow
0:27:56 > 0:27:59in a planting pocket near the house.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02This will complement the tree used by Dorothy and the family
0:28:02 > 0:28:04as a memorial for her father.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07So, this is the salix Kilmarnock.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's the sister to your great-grandad's plant
0:28:10 > 0:28:11- over there.- Yes.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15It will take about seven years to get like that, to about that size.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- Right.- Your grandmother keeps it well and truly trimmed, doesn't she?
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I can see that, she keeps it well and truly under control.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- So, she can do the same with this. - OK.- All right?
0:28:24 > 0:28:28- So that eventually, it will look the same.- Smashing.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Where do you think is a best place for this salix to go.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34My nan sits on that seat right there,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36so to be able to look out of those windows
0:28:36 > 0:28:38and see this would be brilliant.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40So, if we put this central to the window,
0:28:40 > 0:28:41it would be ideal, wouldn't it?
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Yes, she'd be able to watch that grow, then.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46With a position marked, Danny gets Nathan and Tim
0:28:46 > 0:28:47to dig deep into the gravel.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50They need to remove as much of the hard soil as possible
0:28:50 > 0:28:54if the new tree's roots are going to be able to establish themselves.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56All you've got to do is take out the pot.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02Just position it, like that. Just put a bit of compost in the bottom.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Just a couple of handfuls in the bottom.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10And...mix it in.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Bearing in mind that we've got some slate coming in,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- we've got two to three inches of slate coming in.- OK.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18So, we want it to sit just slightly proud, like that.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21So, if we just put another couple of handfuls of compost
0:29:21 > 0:29:23in there, that would be good.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- And then we just pour the compost in round the side.- Great stuff.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36So you can do it, one of you holds that nice and upright.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- And then I'll leave you to it, lads. - All right, brilliant.- See you soon.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46While Danny gets the other pockets planted...
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Well done, lads, you're doing a grand job.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52..the team at last gets a break when the rain finally stops.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Sunshine at last!
0:29:54 > 0:29:58And AJ is feeling warm and bright about his steps, too.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01After looking at the three steps here and there's still
0:30:01 > 0:30:04a bit of a drop here, we decided... I thought I'd measure up
0:30:04 > 0:30:07and see if another step would go in, and it is going to go in.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Also, not only is it going to go in there and make a fourth step,
0:30:10 > 0:30:12I was a bit worried about the soil
0:30:12 > 0:30:14being retained round the corner there,
0:30:14 > 0:30:15so this is acting as two things.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Retaining the soil around the back of there
0:30:17 > 0:30:20and also making it easier to step up here,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23less for us to backfill here and everybody's got to be happy.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Oh, yes, we are radiantly happy,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29especially now the sun is smiling on us.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35With everything going well in the garden, Dorothy, Debbie and I
0:30:35 > 0:30:39have now set off in search of more cottage garden gems.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Danny wants a shrub with a spring scent to excite
0:30:41 > 0:30:43the senses in the sunken garden,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47so we've come to a local nursery that should be able to help.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Luckily, Dorothy knows her plants and knows what she likes.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Easiest job ever. Let's hope so.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Right, here we are at a traditional growing nursery
0:30:56 > 0:30:57very close to your house.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59- I suspect you've been here before. - Yes.- We have.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- Debbie, you go and enjoy a nice cup of tea.- Will do.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Dorothy, you and I are going to have a look around the garden.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07- See you in a bit.- See you later.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10What would you like in your garden, in terms of plants?
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Well, I would love some shrubs.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16As long as they weren't always low.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Right, crawling around having to get in...
0:31:18 > 0:31:21No, I can't get down, I can't bend down or get down.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23How important is smell to you?
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Because Danny specifically asked for a shrub with a spring scent.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Beautiful.- Yes?- Beautiful, yes.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Something like a daphne?
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- Daphne, yes, that would be beautiful.- OK.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- Well, let us go in search of a daphne.- Thank you.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Nurseries local to your garden will grow plants in similar soil
0:31:41 > 0:31:43and climate conditions to your own,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46which means they're likely to survive and thrive.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50So, we found local nursery man Matthew Henry for more advice
0:31:50 > 0:31:52on the right scented shrub for Dorothy's garden.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Oh, it's beautiful. How lovely.- It's Matthew.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- Good to see you!- Good to see you. - Hi, Matthew.- This is Dorothy.- Hi!
0:32:01 > 0:32:05We are in search of some spring-scented shrubs.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Do you have anything that fits the bill?- We've got plenty, yes.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09Do you want to rest here for a minute?
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- We'll go see if we can find anything that piques your interest.- Do, do.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- Yes, thank you, Matthew. - See you in a sec.- See ya!
0:32:15 > 0:32:18We leave Dorothy to take the weight off her knee
0:32:18 > 0:32:19because this place is enormous!
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- OK, so we've got the daphnes here. - Spring-scented shrubs.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24- Lovely.- All right.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Won't have much in scent today, but...
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- But they will.- They will do.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31'When choosing new plants,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35'especially if they're pricey larger shrubs or trees, it's always
0:32:35 > 0:32:39'a good idea to get help from one of the nursery or garden centre team.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42'They'll have the expertise to help you make the right choices
0:32:42 > 0:32:44'for your soil and situation.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47'And they might be able to suggest choices you haven't thought of,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49'giving you fresh inspiration.'
0:32:49 > 0:32:52And then we have this viburnum here.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Matthew, they look perfect. Is there anything else you'd recommend?
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- We've got a camellia over here. - OK, does it smell good?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- It does when it comes out. - Let's get a camellia.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- How do you know which is a good one to pick?- Oh, lots of buds on.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- Perfect. Matthew, thank you for your help.- That's all right.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12'Matthew and I wheel our haul off to Dorothy
0:33:12 > 0:33:14'so she can give them the once-over
0:33:14 > 0:33:16'and, hopefully, her seal of approval.'
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Meanwhile back at the garden and with less than two hours to go,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Danny needs to get that new border behind the sleepers planted up,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27but he seems to have that covered.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30While they're planting those up,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I'm going to get the rest of the plants from Dorothy's garden.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37So, I'm just going to dig up a few. And I thought, you know,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I could start with these foxgloves over here.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41The thing with moving plants,
0:33:41 > 0:33:45try and get the whole of the root out.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I'm going to lift this up and try and get most of it out.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55And, as you can see...
0:33:58 > 0:34:01There, I've got all of it, including the root.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03So, get it in the ground straightaway,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05and then that's going to give it
0:34:05 > 0:34:08the best possible chance to start growing again.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10I've just found these bluebells.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Now this is a great time to divide them
0:34:13 > 0:34:15cos they're just going over.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18And that way, they won't know that they're going to be moved.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22So, all I'm going to do here is just dig up a clump, like this.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27And there we are, we've got a clump.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Now out of this clump, we've now got four or five plants.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34So, that means you've got more bang for your buck.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39And talking of saving money, AJ has used all the offcuts
0:34:39 > 0:34:42from the sleepers to make another set of steps.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Now that's what I call an added extra.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Here are the offcuts of the sleepers, I thought I'd just make
0:34:47 > 0:34:50a nice little step for Dorothy to be able to get down into the garden.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51Hope she likes it.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56The planting is now in full swing,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58but Danny's got a camellia he wants to pot up.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Luckily, I'm still at the nursery
0:35:00 > 0:35:02with Dorothy and a trolley full of shrubs.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Danny! Hello.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07Hello, Helen.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- I have found some plants that I think you're going to like.- OK.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12I found some daphne and some other bits and bobs.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Is there anything else you need?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17There is something else I could do with apart from the daphne.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Now, I'd like a pot
0:35:19 > 0:35:23because I've got a lovely camellia I'd like to plant up.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- No problem, Danny, I will get that for you.- With some ericaceous soil.
0:35:27 > 0:35:28OK, no worries.
0:35:28 > 0:35:29- Speak to you soon.- 'Bye!'
0:35:29 > 0:35:31A camellia...
0:35:32 > 0:35:35..that is looking for a pot and some soil.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36I can do that.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39First though, I wanted to show Dorothy the gorgeous shrub
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Matthew has helped me pick out for her.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45- OK, Dorothy, cast your eye over these.- Oh, beautiful.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Matthew has picked these because they all have strong scents.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Why do you need scented plants in your garden?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Well, in the winter, cos there's not a lot of insects around,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56the fragrance of the plants brings them in,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- so they can help pollinate it. - Yes, yes.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01And then you can enjoy the scent every time you walk outside.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- So good for the garden, good for us? - Yes, and good for the insects.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07And some of these are winter flowering, aren't they?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Yeah, they are.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12The daphnes, mainly. Eternal fragrance.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14So it's very slow-growing,
0:36:14 > 0:36:15but the scent on it is beautiful.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Once they get well-established,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20you'll get loads of flowers on them, you'll have scent all winter.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Beautiful. - So, if you have flowering plants
0:36:22 > 0:36:24in your garden in the winter,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26you're more likely to attract wildlife in the winter?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Yeah, you are.- Is that important?
0:36:28 > 0:36:31That's important, very important, especially the birds.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Well, Matthew, these are brilliant, thank you so much for your help.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- My pleasure.- Let's take these to the till, then.- All right.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- Thank you, Matthew. Thank you. - Any time, my pleasure.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Brilliant, Matthew, thank you! Well, these look brill.
0:36:42 > 0:36:43They do, they do.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47While Dorothy joins Debbie for a well earned cuppa,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51I raced back to the garden in the sweetest smelling car ever.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53With under an hour to go and the clock ticking,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57AJ has fitted a wooden edging to the floor of the sunken garden
0:36:57 > 0:37:00to separate the two different coloured slates Danny's chosen.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Meanwhile, the man himself has a few more lovely shrubs
0:37:03 > 0:37:05to include in the new border.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Now, I've chosen this lovely sarcococca.
0:37:09 > 0:37:10It's absolutely wonderful
0:37:10 > 0:37:13and the reason I've chosen it is because it gives you flower
0:37:13 > 0:37:15in the winter
0:37:15 > 0:37:16and it's also got a wonderful scent.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Now, there aren't many plants that flower in the winter,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21but this is one of them.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25So, I'm going to place this over there in a seating position,
0:37:25 > 0:37:26and that's going to be great
0:37:26 > 0:37:29because it's going to be at nose level for Dorothy.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31So, when she comes out here in the winter,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33she can smell the lovely scent.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Now, this camellia here, when Dorothy comes out
0:37:36 > 0:37:38with her cup of tea,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42she might have made it from the leaf from this plant
0:37:42 > 0:37:45because this is also known as the tea plant.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47This has a lovely
0:37:47 > 0:37:48yellowy white flour.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51This camellia is going to go in the pot
0:37:51 > 0:37:53because it needs ericaceous soil,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and Helen's bringing that back for me a bit later on.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Now, this gorgeous, brightly coloured pittosporum,
0:38:00 > 0:38:01it's absolutely wonderful.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03And this has got a gorgeous honey scent.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07And now, this can grow to be quite large,
0:38:07 > 0:38:08but you can keep it trimmed.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10And that's what I would do.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13I mean, I'm looking at Dorothy's style of gardening,
0:38:13 > 0:38:17and she tends to keep everything nice and neat and small.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20I just cut them with a pair of secateurs like this
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and keep it nicely trimmed and in shape.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29Just half an hour to go now and our rain cover can come on down at last.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31But there's still loads to do,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34so it seems like a good moment for me to wade in and lend a hand.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Whoa!
0:38:40 > 0:38:46The long-awaited daphne that Danny requires, and the pot he requested.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50It's nearly dark, so I hope this is nearly done.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Oh, my goodness!
0:38:53 > 0:38:58- Hello, Helen. All right?- Ah, this is incredible!- Is that my daphne?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Yes, here's your daphne, here's your pot.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03- Danny, this looks amazing. - You like it?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Amazing, I'm really excited, I think she's going to love this.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09What can I do to kind of help us over the final...?
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Well, perhaps plant that pot up for me.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I get stuck in with potting up that precious camellia
0:39:16 > 0:39:20with a special acid-enriched compost Danny asked me to bring.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23There are lots of popular garden shrubs that depend on acid,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26also known as ericaceous, soil conditions.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Check the labels when you buy new shrubs.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31They will always tell you if it's on acid lover.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32And if it is,
0:39:32 > 0:39:36just add a good helping of ericaceous compost to the pot
0:39:36 > 0:39:37or dig some into the border.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Here's hoping this camellia will grow strong
0:39:40 > 0:39:41and flower well for Dorothy.
0:39:43 > 0:39:44There you go, is that all right?
0:39:44 > 0:39:47That looks lovely, you've done a grand job.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53With everything planted,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56it's now a frantic dash to get all the slate down and level.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00But wait, is that a specialist tool I see before me?
0:40:00 > 0:40:03This rake, they call it a landscape rake.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07If you turn it the other way round, you can use it to level off.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08- Danny!- Yeah?
0:40:08 > 0:40:10That is not the two-way landscaping rake, is it?
0:40:10 > 0:40:12That's the two-way landscaping rake.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- So, you can use it on one side or the other.- You can.- Let's have it!
0:40:15 > 0:40:16You can!
0:40:16 > 0:40:18I mean, AJ can't do it with his rake,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- but you can do it with this one.- No!
0:40:20 > 0:40:23'Sometimes it's like working with the Chuckle Bros.'
0:40:23 > 0:40:27AJ, we do need to do one thing - move that seat down to here.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29- Can you give us a hand? - Yes.- Come on.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31'As a finishing touch,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34'we're repositioning Dorothy's old stone bench.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36'And bend your knees.'
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Ah!
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Think you might need to move it over a bit more. Where are you going?
0:40:40 > 0:40:43- This one'll go here.- Oh, over the two? OK.- Over the two, yeah.
0:40:43 > 0:40:44Oh, great.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47'Oh, come on, team, make your mind up.'
0:40:47 > 0:40:48How's your arms?
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Bit longer now?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Yeah.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57'And with the bench finally at rest in its new home, our work is done.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59'But what will Dorothy and Debbie think?'
0:41:02 > 0:41:06At the start of the day, Dorothy's garden was a disaster area.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10The massive crater just outside her backdoor was as hideous
0:41:10 > 0:41:12as it was hazardous.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14But in a few daylight hours,
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Danny and the team have turned it into a beautiful, tranquil
0:41:18 > 0:41:22and relaxing sunken garden, filled with scented plants.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25That treacherous threatening bank has been shored up
0:41:25 > 0:41:29with sturdy sleepers to give it a natural and inviting structure.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35The previously isolated upper area of the garden has now been linked
0:41:35 > 0:41:36with wide wooden steps.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40And there are new planting beds filled with highly fragrant
0:41:40 > 0:41:45cottage garden plants, which give continuity to a much-loved space.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48The rough uneven ground that was filled with old bricks and rubble
0:41:48 > 0:41:52is now a level patio covered in contrasting coloured slate.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55And Danny has added several planting pockets,
0:41:55 > 0:41:56including one for a young
0:41:56 > 0:41:57Kilmarnock willow,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59that matches the one
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Dorothy planted for her father.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04All in all, it's one of the most amazing transformations
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Danny's ever made.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08But what will Dorothy make of it all?
0:42:09 > 0:42:10Right.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Now, step out here.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Come on. Come out, come out.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Enjoy it. DOROTHY GASPS
0:42:21 > 0:42:23'And it seems that for once,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26'this normally chatty lady is lost for words.'
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Oh, that is beautiful!
0:42:32 > 0:42:34You star, that's beautiful.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Gosh, you've worked so hard!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41You should thank your sons cos they were brilliant.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44And they're a real credit to you. Fantastic.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- Thank you.- Good, good.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51- Very, very proud of them.- Yeah. - So you should be.- Yes, lovely.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- I love it!- How different is it?
0:42:53 > 0:42:58I never thought you would do it so like this.
0:42:58 > 0:43:04We've seen a sunken garden today and we've commented on it so much.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07And we've cut our own sunken garden.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10And look, raised beds for you so you can reach them.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13Yes, I can reach all round and I can reach them as well.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14- You wanted some raised beds.- Yes.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16- That's for the rest of the garden. - Pittosporum!
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- My favourite, I love pittosporum. - Debbie's favourite.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22There's three there, so there's two of one variety.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- And Grandad's tree still. - And Grandad's tree's there.
0:43:25 > 0:43:26Ah, lovely.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28- You've seen this one here?- Oh, look!
0:43:30 > 0:43:34- That replicates that one over there. - Yes!- It's the same tree.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37It'll probably take about six years to get it to that size.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41- Six years.- That's right, as that's six.- That's six years old?
0:43:41 > 0:43:42Well, there you go.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46It been a wonderful day. You've treated us well.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49And we've had some fun, even if the weather wasn't well.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52We've worked really hard. Oh, you're making me upset now!
0:43:52 > 0:43:55Have a look around your garden.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58You're a joy to be around, Dorothy. Enjoy your garden.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- Thank you very much, pet. - You're a total joy.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03- Go and have a little explore. - We will do.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09Every now and again in this job, you meet amazing people
0:44:09 > 0:44:12who need a little bit of a helping hand
0:44:12 > 0:44:14and a point in the right direction.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16It was a crater this morning.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Now it is a superb sunken garden for all the family to enjoy
0:44:19 > 0:44:21for years to come.