0:00:02 > 0:00:04Beautiful gardens are one of Britain's most glorious sights,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but if your green space is more mess than majestic,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09making it over can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12especially if you're short on time and money.
0:00:12 > 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 > 0:00:27Each time, our gardening guru will be showing YOU
0:00:27 > 0:00:30how to create gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Doesn't that look great?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Each transformation will be packed with brilliant ideas
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to 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 > 0:00:46He'll be turning garden junk...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Oh, look at that.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..into garden jewels...
0:00:50 > 0:00:51It's going to be used as a planter,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and I think this is going to look absolutely terrific.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59..and showing you how to spend a small budget wisely.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02That's why Danny makes me bring a list.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03OK.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'Be it on shrubs or salvage...'
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Would you like that in your garden?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10'And because Danny is the Instant Gardener,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13'everything you see will happen in a single day.'
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Oh, my...
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Oh, wow!
0:01:17 > 0:01:18That's unbelievable.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Today we're in Sunderland, built on the mouth of the River Wear.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31With its proud history as the shipbuilding capital
0:01:31 > 0:01:32of the North East,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35these days, it's a thoroughly modern metropolis.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37But pockets of Victorian terraces
0:01:37 > 0:01:39are still scattered throughout the city,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42just as they were in its industrial heyday.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Quiet rows of houses like this often have very similar
0:01:45 > 0:01:49outdoor spaces, so they're yards more than gardens.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51They're places where families can hang out the washing,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53catch up with the neighbours,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and living on this street is a lady whose family would love
0:01:56 > 0:01:59to surprise her with a gorgeous garden makeover.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01She's got no idea that we're here.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Ah, you must be Syeda.- Yeah, hiya. - So this is your mum's house.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- Yeah, this is my mum's house. - Is she in?- No, she's not, she's not.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Let's have a look at that garden, then.- Come in.- Thank you.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Syeda's mum, Khadija, is a devoted mother to nine children
0:02:22 > 0:02:23and 12 grandchildren.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26She loves the outdoors, but suffers from arthritis,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28diabetes and a heart condition,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30which means she's often confined to her home.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Khadija can no longer take long walks
0:02:34 > 0:02:36to enjoy the local green spaces,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38so she only has her dismal and bare back yard
0:02:38 > 0:02:42in which to host her frequent family get-togethers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Transforming it into a flourishing garden is out of Khadija's reach...
0:02:46 > 0:02:49so it's down to the Instant Gardener to make it happen.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53A few days ago, Danny headed to Sunderland
0:02:53 > 0:02:56to have a good look round the garden he's going to be tackling.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01This is interesting. Well, not interesting, really.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04It's pretty boring. It's a place to house the bins.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Concrete floor.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Having said that, it's a walled garden.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10That's the way I would treat it.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Now, it's quite a strange shape.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15There's a very narrow piece here,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18so, cos there's a view from that window,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23it would be nice to make something of this wall, I think.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25So what we're doing, by accentuating the view,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27we can make that room appear bigger,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31and then we've got a nice generous gate at the back here.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34That's good. I think access is very important to any property.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Nothing of any real horticultural interest here,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42so really it would be nice to get some plants into this space
0:03:42 > 0:03:47and to sort of zap it up and make it look more interesting and exciting.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Looking around generally, this, for me,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54is a bit of a no-no, this surface.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I mean, it's very boring, very bland,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58so that can be quite challenging -
0:03:58 > 0:04:05just to find a way of making this work as a garden, you know,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07I'm really going to have to get my thinking cap on with this one.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12But all in all, you know what, this has got huge potential.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I think, you know, we can do something with this.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20A few days later, after he's had time to come up with a plan,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Danny's back in Sunderland.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It's time for this bare back yard to get its big revamp.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27But first I want him to meet Syeda.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Mr Clarke.- Hello, Helen, how are you? Are you all right?
0:04:32 > 0:04:33Yeah, I'm good, thanks.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Syeda, Danny. Danny, Syeda. - Hiya.- Good to meet you.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Talk us through this yard, then. How does the family use this space?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Well, we don't use it much, to be honest,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45because you can see it's not much of a garden.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47So, basically, if my niece and nephews come round,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49they do just play around.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51My mum, she puts her washing out
0:04:51 > 0:04:55and some days, obviously when the sun is coming out,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59she just gets a chair outside and just tries to chillax with my dad.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And your mum's had some health issues, hasn't she?
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Yes. She's got high blood pressure and arthritis,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09so with arthritis she does find it quite difficult walking around,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13going upstairs, going a bit far from the house, even for a walk.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14Obviously, if the garden is done,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16at least we know that she's in the garden,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20even if she's going for a little bit of a walk or even relaxing.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22So, with the arthritis in mind,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I guess having a space that she can come out and potter and enjoy...?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Yeah, if she's in the property, she's in the house...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- Good for her, good for you. - Yeah, good for us as well.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31We know where she is.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Is that something for you to bear in mind, Danny,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35in terms of what you're going to put in here?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Yeah, definitely, because we want to make this space inviting for her.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Something that's comfortable... - Yeah.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43..I assume. At the moment, it's pretty bland, isn't it?
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- Yeah, it's quite bland. - But having said that, it has got a lot of potential.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50So, you know, it's definitely something here we can work with.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- You're doing this as a surprise for your mum.- Yes.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- You nominated her without her knowing.- Yeah.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Why do you want to do it for your mum?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59It's basically just to give something back to her, really.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01All these years, she's done so much for us
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and she's always put everyone else first, not her.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08This is something she really deserves, I think.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- No pressure.- Well, she hasn't seen it yet, has she?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12No, she hasn't seen it, no.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Yesterday she came out here,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16so she was just walking around and I was thinking to myself,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19"Yeah, you're just walking around here now,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21"but tomorrow is going to be totally different."
0:06:21 > 0:06:23It's going to be a complete surprise for her.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- A complete surprise for her.- Good.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- We're going to get out of your hair. We will help you.- Yeah?
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- What do you need?- We do need some help, so if I can give you this...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- There's a list in here.- Okey doke. - So I can give that to you.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34HE LAUGHS
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- You're hanging on to it there! - Wrestle it from me.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- OK. Topiary.- If you can bring that back for me, that would be great.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42OK. I know your plans.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- If there's anything else you need, give me a bell.- Will do.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46If there's anything I see, I'll give you a bell.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- You give me a bell. - Run it by me first, Helen.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I will, I will, I will! But in the meantime, topiary.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Not that I don't trust you, but run it by me first.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- I'll make sure she does. - He doesn't trust me!
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Right, come on, Syeda. Good luck.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- See you soon.- Good luck. - Take care.- Have fun.- Bye.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02While Syeda joins me for a spot of research and retail,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Danny has just one day to turn this poky patio
0:07:05 > 0:07:09into an inspiring paradise. So how's he going to do it?
0:07:09 > 0:07:13This garden needs oomph and it needs a transformation,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18and the way I'm going to do that is to create lots of lovely colour.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22What I thought I'd do is use artificial turf.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24I'm going to use red and green,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26the colours of the lovely Bangladesh flag.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29And there's going to be a gap between the grass and the wall
0:07:29 > 0:07:33and we're going to put a lovely aggregate in there.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35It's going to look absolutely fab.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37This part of the patio is messy.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I really don't like what's going on here.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44You know, what do you do with your bins?
0:07:44 > 0:07:47We want to take our eye off of all this,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50so my solution is to foreshorten the garden with trellising.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Stagger them and create an invisible opening.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57We're going to have this trellising on hinges,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00so, if a car needs to come through here,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03we can open the garden right up again.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Now, we're going to paint the walls and keep them fairly plain for now,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09so we're going to paint them white.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11So this block of wall is going to be white,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14all the way down to the trellising,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16and, in this area over here,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19we're going to paint this wall white and this one white.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21On this wall here,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I'm going to have three circles in red and green.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Of course, no garden is complete without plants,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30so the way I'm going to introduce the plants
0:08:30 > 0:08:35is to put them in troughs against the trellising here.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36I love topiary.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38I think is absolutely wonderful.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40And I'm going to put one in a pot there
0:08:40 > 0:08:42and one in a pot over there,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and I'm also going to put some palms in here.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50Now, these palms are going to be a true nod to Bangladesh.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I think it's going to look absolutely fabulous
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and it's going to give this garden some cohesion.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Danny is going to use colour and plants
0:08:58 > 0:09:02to turn this dark and dank yard into a useful and inviting outdoor space
0:09:02 > 0:09:06that the whole family can use to spend time together.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09This space is really dull,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12but we're going to make it bright and beautiful
0:09:12 > 0:09:14for a really wonderful mum.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's a huge task to take on in just one day,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21but Danny won't be alone.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Handyman AJ
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and helpers Luke and Amyrose are chipping in to make it happen.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31And so, too, is Khadija's husband Khalid, and their son, Achmed.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Right, the first thing we need to do is clear everything out of here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37- Yes.- And we need to paint these walls.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Right.- AJ is going to do the troughs for us.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43That's nice. Nice to know that he does some jobs!
0:09:43 > 0:09:45THEY LAUGH
0:09:45 > 0:09:48We're going to get on just famously, we are!
0:09:48 > 0:09:52So, while AJ sets himself up in the alley behind the house,
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Danny gets the garden cleared and covered up, ready for painting.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58So what we're using is masonry paint.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Yes. This is the external paint.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Yes, external masonry paint, which is ideal for a job like this.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Yes, it is ideal for the rain-proofing,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- when we've seen the water and rain going on.- Exactly. Exactly.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Right, it's going to go to... You see that top bit there?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- Go up to the mark.- That's the maximum that we need to go to.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Just start you off and see how it looks.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Oh, that looks quite good.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20Yeah, that's nice.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Painting boundaries a light colour, be they fences or walls,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28reflects more light into dark spaces.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It also has the optical effect of pushing the boundaries back,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34making your garden seem bigger.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Best of all, it's a cheap and a quick way
0:10:36 > 0:10:39of making a major transformation.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Meanwhile, AJ is starting work on two mobile planters,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45designed to go in front of Danny's staggered trellis panels.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48So, the first step is the base.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Here, I've got some marine ply.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55This is hard-wearing and it's moisture resistant,
0:10:55 > 0:10:59so that is ideal for the bottom of a plant pot.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Now to step two - building the sides.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04This is the 6 x 2 wood
0:11:04 > 0:11:07that I'm going to be using, layering it up slightly.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Now, some people could build these
0:11:10 > 0:11:13with them being flush at the end there, like that,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17and obviously following the line, the edge all the way round.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I'm going to make it look a little bit more pretty for Danny
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and I'm going to bring this out
0:11:23 > 0:11:25about 4.5cm.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Right, then. Off to cut it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35With the side panels of the trough cut to size,
0:11:35 > 0:11:40AJ can now begin fixing them to the marine-ply base.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41As you can see round here,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43these two are butting out,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45which will make it look pretty.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Right, then, going to start screwing
0:11:48 > 0:11:51from underneath the base to the first layer.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Right then, we've got the bottom of the sides on, screwed to the base.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02Now I've got these posts, which I'm going to put in all four corners.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03Just going to screw in there
0:12:03 > 0:12:07which will then allow me to make it easier to screw the second,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10the third and fourth level of all the sides.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Excellent job, AJ.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15And I like those overlapping edges you've done - great effect.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Right, there we go. All the sides done, finished.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21Just another one to do.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Meanwhile, I've planned a trip for Syeda
0:12:26 > 0:12:28to a spectacular garden in Sunderland
0:12:28 > 0:12:33to give her ideas about what can be achieved within a limited space.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34We are heading to a garden
0:12:34 > 0:12:37that contains plants from all over the world,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40so we're getting a horticultural tour of the world,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43but it's only ten minutes from your house.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Yeah.- So no need for passports.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46No.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Sunderland's Winter Garden is a tropical paradise
0:12:51 > 0:12:55with a planet's worth of plants all packed inside a glasshouse.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Welcome to the Winter Gardens.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- What do you think of this place? - Yeah, it's fabulous.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Does it remind you of anywhere? - Bangladesh.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07It does, very much.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Your family is from Bangladesh, your husband is from Bangladesh.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11You've spent a lot of time there.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14So what is it that takes you to your second home?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17It is all the greens and all the grasses.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18Everything. The trees.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22It reminds you of the village back home, and I think it's the smell.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Oriental smell, I think. - Yeah, you can definitely...
0:13:25 > 0:13:27There's a distinct smell, isn't there?
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- And that warmth.- Yeah.- I like that.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33And by heading upstairs,
0:13:33 > 0:13:36we can look down and see everything from tree canopy level.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Look at the leaves of that banana tree. They are ginormous.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Some people use those leaves in Bangladesh to have their food.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- What, to eat off?- Yeah... - Instead of plates?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Instead of plates.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54I know this doesn't look anything like your back yard.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56However, there are a couple of comparisons.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- It's enclosed, albeit by glass. - Mm-hm.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02And, relatively speaking, they have packed a lot of those plants...
0:14:02 > 0:14:03- Yeah.- ..into a small area.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Can you imagine introducing quite a few things to your garden?
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Yeah, we could actually...
0:14:10 > 0:14:13throughout the year, like, keep on bringing other plants in, and...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16It's all to do with maintaining, isn't it?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I know you said this place is kind of transporting you to Bangladesh.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Yeah.- Do you think your mum would like to be reminded of Bangladesh?
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Yeah. She loves Bangladesh. She travels there every year.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29OK, so a few ideas of things that you could have in your back garden
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- to give you a taste of Bangladesh. - Yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Things aren't quite so exotic back at Khadija's garden,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and it looks like Danny's about to lose two of his helpers.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Danny, I have to go to mosque today...- Oh, yes.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50..because Friday is our holiday.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51OK.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56And between 12.30pm and 2 o'clock are our holy times.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- Yeah.- I should be in the mosque.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Is that why your family come here?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Yes, every Friday after salat in mosque,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05they'll come back to my home.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Yeah. - And especially my grandchildren.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11They will be very happy. They'll spend weekend with us,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15my wife and myself in this garden, so I hope they enjoy it.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- They will. So it's a good reason for us to do this, isn't it?- Yes.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Because they've got a place for not just your wife to enjoy,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25but it's a place for your whole family to enjoy...
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Definitely the whole family to enjoy.- ..which is good.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31And I hope, in the garden, we'll do the outside cooking.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Some kebabs and tandoori dishes.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Oh, lovely. You're making my mouth water.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38I'll make myself, yes.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- OK, then. Well, you'd better get going.- Thank you.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43And we'll catch up with you later.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- OK, thank you very much. - All right. See you soon, bye.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47Unfortunately for Danny,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Khalid didn't have time to get his job finished before he left.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54To be honest, it's not quite as thorough as I would like it.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I mean, you can see these patches here.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59What I'd be inclined to do...
0:15:59 > 0:16:03I'm going to go over it as much as I can, but we are short on time.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Really it's just a question
0:16:06 > 0:16:10of just taking a bit more care over each bit,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14so I'm putting more of a generous amount on the roller.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I put a bit of pressure, I can actually go into those cracks.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25To be honest with you, I quite enjoy doing this on my own.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I know we're up against it with time,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30but I'm confident this garden will be done,
0:16:30 > 0:16:35and really I want to get this job looking absolutely perfect,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37or as perfect as I possibly can.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Well, the walls are almost finished,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41but how are those planters coming along, AJ?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43The next step is drainage.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I'm going to drill some holes here to let the water go through,
0:16:46 > 0:16:47so it doesn't get waterlogged.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Done. Whilst I've got these upside down,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56I'm going to put the casters on.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Obviously, you don't need casters on necessarily,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01unless you want them to be wheeled around,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04but as Danny wants these to be mobile, it's the ideal thing.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Now it's just a matter of sealing the inside of the trough
0:17:09 > 0:17:11with a plastic liner.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Nothing worse than wet soil on wood,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18because, eventually, the wood sucks the water out the soil
0:17:18 > 0:17:19and goes rotten.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25There we go. All done.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Nicely lined. Ready for the compost to go in.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32But there's no rest for the wicked! On to the next job, AJ.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Right, AJ, this is the part where you attach the trellising
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- to the wall on the hinges, yeah? - Correct.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- OK.- We're going to have this wood here
0:17:40 > 0:17:44that I'm going to bolt to the wall, basically, to make a batten there.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Obviously, it'll be easier to screw straight in
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and then I can get the hinges on.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52So, the bins are there, so it's not going to swing this way.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Swinging that way. We'll have to raise it just a little bit more,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- so it doesn't catch. - Doesn't catch your turf, yeah.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Looks like a good plan.- Yeah. Let's crack on with it.- Let's get going.
0:18:01 > 0:18:02- OK.- OK, cheers.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Back inside the wonderful Winter Gardens,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11Syeda and I are keen to learn more about its origins.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14So we're meeting Education Officer Jenni Lambeth.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Jenni, what are you doing?
0:18:18 > 0:18:19Well, I'm looking for Bob.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23He's our big coy carp fish, but I can't seem to find him.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I think he's hiding under the leaves.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- This is Syeda.- Hi.- Jenni, Syeda. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Jenni, so...tell us about the Winter Gardens. This place is beautiful.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34The idea of it came from the Victorian times,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36so a pleasure garden under glass,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38and that created the environment
0:18:38 > 0:18:41where plants from tropical countries could be grown.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43So a lot of Victorian explorers brought them back
0:18:43 > 0:18:44and put them in these glasshouses.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47So having this kind of space gives you an opportunity
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- to have something very exotic and from a far-flung land...- Absolutely.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- ..right here in Sunderland. - Indeed. It is.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55It's like our little piece of rainforest here in Sunderland.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57So what kinds of things have you got in here?
0:18:57 > 0:18:59How many different plants have you got, for instance?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02So there's about 300 different species of plants.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Some of them are desert plants, some Mediterranean plants
0:19:05 > 0:19:07but the rainforest species are things
0:19:07 > 0:19:09like the banana plants that we have.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11We've got traveller's trees from Madagascar,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Bismarckia palms.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15We got some fruits,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18so we got things that would come from perhaps tropical countries
0:19:18 > 0:19:22that you might imagine, like pineapples and things like that.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26It's possible to get a tropical feel in your own garden,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29despite the UK's less than tropical weather.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32These stunning plants can be a fabulous addition,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36as long as you take the right steps to choose and care for them.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Exotic plants can be pricey,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40so you definitely don't want to damage or kill them.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Always ask at the garden centre or specialist nursery
0:19:43 > 0:19:46when choosing them, or search the internet for advice.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Hardy exotics are tropical-looking plants
0:19:50 > 0:19:52that CAN cope with the British weather.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55These include Trachycarpus fortunei -
0:19:55 > 0:19:58a stunning palm tree with fan-shaped leaves,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and tree ferns, with their huge arcing fronds.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05More sensitive plants may need bringing indoors for the winter,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08or wrapping up warmly if they need to stay outside.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09These include banana palms.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Generally the further north your garden is,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16the more you'll need to do to protect plants in winter.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24And back at Khadija's garden, Danny wants to add something big,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27green and glossy to bring a touch of the tropics to her back yard.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30We've got some beautiful palms here -
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Phoenix canariensis or Canary Island date palms.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39The reason I've chosen these great architectural plants
0:20:39 > 0:20:42is because it's going to bring a touch of the tropics.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45And Danny has got some impressive zinc containers to plant them in.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47They're nice and tall
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and they're going to make these palms look even more striking.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55All I'm going to do is gently take this out the pot like this
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and any multipurpose compost will do.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00It doesn't have to be anything special.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Gently firm the compost in.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04I often just use my knuckles.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09And the beauty about these is that they don't need to be watered that
0:21:09 > 0:21:14often, so, from that point of view, they are pretty low-maintenance.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15But how do you protect them
0:21:15 > 0:21:18from a bitterly cold north-east winter, Danny?
0:21:18 > 0:21:23This Phoenix palm, it is semi-hardy, but as an insurance,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27I would protect it wherever you are in the country,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30because, if you have a severe winter, you could lose it.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34You don't want water getting in the crown of this and freezing,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38because it will kill it. The crown is where all the young growth is,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41so what I'm going to do is wrap this up.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Give it a big hug, gently tie it...
0:21:44 > 0:21:49..and now it's ready for the fleece.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53This is horticultural fleece which is finely woven fabric
0:21:53 > 0:21:56which basically allows the plant to breathe.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58It also acts as insulation.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01You can get this from any garden centre.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I know of people who will use bubble wrap.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07That's a big mistake, cos a plant will sweat.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09So the process is very simple.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14All I'm going to do is do this with a bit of tender loving care.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Just wrap it around till it's nice and cosy.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Tie it off with some string.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Very gently, not too tight.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25One wrapped Phoenix canariensis -
0:22:25 > 0:22:27as snug as a bug in a rug.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32With less than four hours to go before Khadija's surprise visit,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35her back garden is still looking somewhat dull.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37But the walls are all painted now,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39and AJ has finished the two plant troughs.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43However, the trellis still hasn't gone up and Danny has yet
0:22:43 > 0:22:46to lay the flooring, but at least Khalid is back from the mosque.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Hello.- Hello.- All right? - Hello, how are you?
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- Fine, thank you. That is a nice box. Who made it?- Who made it?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- How did you make that? - Over to the man.- Just...
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Beautiful. Good job you did.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Thank you very much.- Going to plant them up with the lovely plants.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Oh, that's nice.- And they're going to go against these trellises.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06Nice, thank you very much indeed.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Pleasure, but we have got a job to do now.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- What? What kind of job?- You look...
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Nothing is impossible.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15You look concerned. When we say, "There's a job to do,"
0:23:15 > 0:23:17you suddenly looked very concerned.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21No, no, no, I like to do some jobs, but what I can manage to do.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Yeah, sure. Well, what we're going to do is roll out the red carpet.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- For my wife?- For your wife, yes.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29It's not really a carpet.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31It's more like artificial grass.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Right.- OK? But it's coloured red. And it's different, isn't it?
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It's different - of course, it's different, yes.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Right, we'll better get moving. Come on, then.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Artificial turf comes in rolls much like carpet,
0:23:44 > 0:23:48but it comes with a hard-wearing and water-permeable plastic backing.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52This makes it ideal for laying over a concrete base like this one,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55allowing rainwater to soak through and drain away.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Nice.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Once it's cut out and you're happy with its position,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03all that's left is to fix it in place with a suitable adhesive.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Artificial turf can also be laid on soil.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09A layer of compacted sand should be spread first,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13and then covered with horticultural membrane to prevent weeds.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I'm really happy with the way things are turning out at the moment.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I think that red and that green looks absolutely smashing.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Great combination.
0:24:20 > 0:24:27And I think, when the plants are in and we've got the trellis up,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29it's going to bring it all together.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Is it something you would've thought of?
0:24:31 > 0:24:38I never ever think... you can make my garden like this.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40So, all we need to do really is just glue it down,
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- so it's a very quick installation.- Easy.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Yeah, fairly straightforward.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48It's just like laying carpet.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52My wife, when she comes, she maybe think she's in the wrong house.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Oh, will she?!
0:24:54 > 0:24:55- She deserves this.- And to me,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58she sounds like a lady who deserves the red carpet.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Oh, of course, yes.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'Back at the Winter Gardens, I'm finding out a bit more from Syeda
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'about why she thinks her mum is such a special lady.'
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Talk me through why you decided to nominate your mum for this.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19It is cos she's done so much for us, the whole family,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22and I feel like she deserves it, cos she will really appreciate
0:25:22 > 0:25:24how the garden will look at the end of the day.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- Tell me a little bit about your mum. - Nine children in total.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- Yep. How many grandchildren? - Erm, 12.- 12?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- Yes.- So she's quite a busy lady.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34She's a busy lady.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39She's so caring and she's so... giving and thinking about others
0:25:39 > 0:25:40as much as possible.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41How is her health?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Her health at the moment isn't that good.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46She's got arthritis as well, so we take her out,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50go shopping or a walk, something like that.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52So, now that everybody has moved out to their own homes,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55how important is it to her to get everyone together
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- and have a family gathering? - It's really important for my mum.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00As siblings, we're quite strong,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04quite close to each other and with our parents as well,
0:26:04 > 0:26:05so it's all about family.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08So does she go into the back yard at the minute?
0:26:08 > 0:26:09She wouldn't go there often.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It's more of bringing the washing out
0:26:11 > 0:26:15and staying there when the sun's out, but once the garden is done,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19I think she will appreciate the fact that she can sit there,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23chillax and read a book, have tea and coffee and, when the grandkids
0:26:23 > 0:26:26are here, she can enjoy it with them in a bit of sunshine.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29So this isn't just a garden for your mum and dad, this is for...
0:26:29 > 0:26:34It's for family. They would love it, because they don't know yet
0:26:34 > 0:26:36that the garden is having a makeover.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39So the grandchildren and your mum don't know.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41They'll have a shock. They'll be surprised.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43How do you think she'll react?
0:26:43 > 0:26:48She'll obviously have the joy and tears. I know she would love it,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50appreciate it, because she's not a very fussy person -
0:26:50 > 0:26:53"Oh, I don't like this, I don't want that,"
0:26:53 > 0:26:55but she appreciates whatever she gets,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57what anyone gives her, so that's OK.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01So we'd better get back there. We're never going to get it finished
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- if we don't get that topiary that Danny needs. Let's go.- OK.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10There's clearly a lot resting on this garden,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12and Danny has only three hours to finish it,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14but he's making good progress,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16and now he wants to add some extra touches.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20The Instant Gardener's philosophy is to recycle things
0:27:20 > 0:27:22in his designs wherever possible,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and he knows just what to do with these old vinyl chairs
0:27:25 > 0:27:28that Khalid had been planning to throw away.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29He's going to give them a face-lift
0:27:29 > 0:27:32with this special vinyl spray-on colour.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36How we're going to upcycle these is by changing the colour of them,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39cos we want this to blend in with what's going on in your garden.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41What we'll do is we'll just spray them lightly.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43- It's not like paint, OK.- Mm-hm.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46What it does is... the vinyl will absorb it.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49It's really a stainer, rather than a paint.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52It needs to be flexible, cos you're going to sit on it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Paint will crack and this won't.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56- OK?- Good, good.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59A change of colour to match your over-all design
0:27:59 > 0:28:03is a cheap way to give old household items a new lease of life.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Don't spray too close to what you're painting,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09and gently move from side to side, to get an even coverage.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Two or three coats will be needed to get a thorough and even finish.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16That is OK, isn't it?
0:28:17 > 0:28:19'Now we've left the Winter Gardens,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21'Syeda and I are heading off for a bit of shopping.'
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Are you nervous about what they might be doing?
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Kind of. I'm actually quite excited, because of the waiting
0:28:29 > 0:28:31and I can't see what they're doing.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34'Don't worry, Syeda, I have complete faith
0:28:34 > 0:28:36'in Danny's powers of transformation,
0:28:36 > 0:28:41'even though the list he's given us only has one requirement - topiary.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43'Let's see what the garden centre has to offer.'
0:28:43 > 0:28:48- Right, Syeda, we are here on a laser-guided topiary mission.- OK.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Danny wants us to get some plants
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- that are going to make a big impact in your mum's garden.- Mm-hm.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57'The Instant Gardener's golden rule is always stick to your list.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01'But as we soon find out, the price of topiary can vary wildly.'
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- They look fabulous.- Yeah.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05They look expensive, don't they?
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- Mm-hm. They do.- Because they are.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10They look good, though. It would make an impact...
0:29:10 > 0:29:11on the budget!
0:29:13 > 0:29:16'Generally, the bigger the topiary, the more expensive it is.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18'But anything that's been pre-trained
0:29:18 > 0:29:21'into an interesting shape can command a premium too.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26'Fortunately, garden centre owner Gerard Humble is on hand
0:29:26 > 0:29:28'to give us some top topiary tips.'
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Gerard.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Hello.- Nice to see you. This is Syeda.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- Pleased to meet you, Syeda. - Nice to meet you.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- So we are here for some topiary. - OK.- Take me to your topiary, please.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- I will take you to the topiary. - So what exactly is topiary?
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Predominantly, evergreen plants which people train to a shape,
0:29:44 > 0:29:51so things like box hedging, that's used for topiary or yew trees,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54hollies can be used, bay trees, that type of thing, you know,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58little lavenders, people work that in a topiary fashion.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Normally, there would be a round ball or a cube or a cone.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05It's that sort of structural shaped plant.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08So topiary is more the art of the training.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- It is.- But when you say topiary,
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- you tend to think of the big structural plants that you see in stately homes.- You do.
0:30:14 > 0:30:15Do they always have to be big plants?
0:30:15 > 0:30:18No, they don't. You can prune them to any size and grow them in
0:30:18 > 0:30:21containers. In any garden, really.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Have you got anything that will work in a small garden?- Uh-huh. - That's good for us.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Good news for us. Right, let's find some, then.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31While we head off to seek out the perfect topiary
0:30:31 > 0:30:33to make the best impact in Khadija's back yard,
0:30:33 > 0:30:38Danny has got just two hours left to turn it into a garden.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39He would like to add flower-beds,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41but, because the yard is concrete,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43he's going to get the same effect by
0:30:43 > 0:30:44using potted plants
0:30:44 > 0:30:46sitting on gravel.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50But first, AJ needs to screw wooden baton edging into the concrete
0:30:50 > 0:30:51to hold the gravel in place.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Right, AJ has finished this border now.
0:30:54 > 0:30:55We're getting there.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59And at last Danny can bring his phoenix palms into the garden,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02to stand proud on the gravel border.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Next on the to-do list is to fill AJ's mobile raised planters.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09These planters are absolutely gorgeous.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11They've been built by AJ
0:31:11 > 0:31:13and he's done such a wonderful job
0:31:13 > 0:31:16and they are on casters, so they can be moved.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22They're going to be semi-attached to these trellis boards,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26so the trellis boards can actually open,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28so, if Khalid needs to get a car
0:31:28 > 0:31:31or anything big in here, he's able to do that.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35So the great thing about having nice deep planters
0:31:35 > 0:31:38is that you can plant almost anything in there,
0:31:38 > 0:31:39because there's lots of room.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42You're not going to have roots, so it's not going to get pot bound,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44which is absolutely great.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46They're going to be able to flourish.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50The downside is that they need lots of compost.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52But before he can finish filling them,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54I need to speak to him urgently.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Syeda and I have gone a bit snow-blind
0:31:57 > 0:32:01from the huge choice of topiary and are keen for a bit more guidance.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05There are lots of different options, so what is it you exactly need or
0:32:05 > 0:32:06would prefer?
0:32:06 > 0:32:11Well, we're talking about round circles as a theme in this garden.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16So, I'm thinking of box balls, maybe.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18- How many?- Two will be fine.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22They need to be about, I would say, 50cm in diameter.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24All right. Well, good luck.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- OK, then, Helen.- Bye.
0:32:26 > 0:32:27Cheers, bye.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Exactly what I'm looking for.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31Great. Box balls?
0:32:31 > 0:32:33- Yes.- So tell me about these, then.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35How much looking after do they need?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Well, if you didn't clip them,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40they would naturally grow about six inches a year.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42What you want to do, to keep them that shape,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45is to trim them regularly.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Little and often, if you like.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51So don't let them grow any more than say an inch a year.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53If you didn't trim it,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57it would end up taking on its own form of a big bush.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00This is an untrained version of that.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02It is, it is. But that,
0:33:02 > 0:33:06the round one, will probably be about six years old.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07That's about two years old.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09How long will they last?
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Indefinitely, really. The ones in stately homes can be hundreds of years old.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18So, yeah, as long as you keep them trimmed and fed and watered,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20it should be fine.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Does that sound doable, Syeda? - Yes, sounds doable.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Little and often. Don't let it grow six inches and then cut it back by five.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Let it grow couple of inches and cut it back by an inch each time.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Is it difficult to keep a sphere?
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Is there a trick to getting that shape?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37No, it's just training it into shape, really.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39If you are useless with a pair of scissors, like me,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41it probably is hard to keep a shape.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44If you've got a pretty good eye, it's easy.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45There's no pruning...
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- It's maintaining the shape, isn't it?- It's just the shape.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Just use a pair of scissors or a pair of shears.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- Yeah.- What do you think your mum will make of something like this?
0:33:53 > 0:33:57Yeah, she'd love it, because it's quite easy just to maintain the shape every time.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Right, so can I take two of these?
0:33:59 > 0:34:03- You certainly can.- Thank you very much for your help, Gerard.- Right.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04They are heavy.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07While I take the topiary back to Danny,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Syeda is going arrange a surprise visit for Khadija
0:34:10 > 0:34:12in less than an hour's time.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Luckily, the garden is starting to fall into place.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17The re-purposed chairs are almost ready,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20although another coat will be needed to finish the job.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23And Danny thinks yet more colour is needed in the garden too.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30My original plan was to paint some circles in the green and a red.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31Red, yeah.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35However, I'm a bit nervous about painting circles by hand,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38so I've come up with an alternative idea.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40We've got some offcuts we can use,
0:34:40 > 0:34:46but I need a circle that I can draw around.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Maybe a dustbin lid or something like that.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Mm. Let me think what I can do.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54If you've got something maybe about this big.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56- I can go and have a look. - That would be great.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58If you can go and have a look and see what you can find.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Brilliant, thank you.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Hello, that is OK?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Khalid has found a couple of metal trays indoors
0:35:05 > 0:35:07for Danny to use as circular templates.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10He and Khalid can now cut out circles
0:35:10 > 0:35:12of the red and green artificial turf
0:35:12 > 0:35:16from offcuts that would otherwise have ended up in the local tip.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I think that is pretty cool, don't you?
0:35:19 > 0:35:23Khalid, I think, because green is the dominant colour in the flag,
0:35:23 > 0:35:25we'll have two of those.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- Two of those and one of red. - That's a good idea, good idea.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29And if I could get someone to come and help you,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- because I've got to go and do something else. - Yes, that is two-man job.
0:35:33 > 0:35:34Two-man job, I think it is.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37While Khalid cuts out the other two circles,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Danny is ready to plant up the mobile troughs.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Oh, we've got a lovely array of plants here.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46I mean, these are really bringing a smile to my face.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47I'm so excited.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50We've got some lovely geraniums. These are pelargoniums.
0:35:50 > 0:35:51Absolutely beautiful.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55And we've got these lovely red-flowered anemones.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57And these wonderful
0:35:57 > 0:36:01climbing hydrangeas. One of the few climbers that are great for shade
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and they will flower April, May time.
0:36:03 > 0:36:08They are semi evergreen, so, if you have a fairly mild winter,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10they will hang on to their leaves.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14I think it's now time I got these into the planter.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17When it comes to these beauties, these climbing hydrangeas,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21they do take a little while to establish, so after planting them,
0:36:21 > 0:36:23probably a couple of years before you get the first flower.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27And all you need to do is keep them groomed, keep them under control.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30A tomato feed will be absolutely fine,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32or, if you've got a wood burner,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35just sprinkle some wood ash around it during the spring.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38Now that the circles are ready,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Danny and Khalid just need to arrange them
0:36:41 > 0:36:43and finally glue them to the wall.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- A pizza?- Yes, 16-inch pizza. - 16-inch pizza.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50In fact, you've made me feel very hungry now, Khalid. Thanks for that.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Danny!
0:36:54 > 0:36:55- Hello.- Hello, Helen.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Let me take that from you.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- There's a box. - These are gorgeous. I love these.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01You have been busy.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04We have been busy. What do you think?
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I love it. It's a complete transformation.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08I love it all. Can I help?
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- Come on.- You can help me with these box balls.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13We can put them in the pots.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Are they going in these? - They are going in these.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17This is something she's really going to enjoy,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20- because her arthritis means she can't do a lot of gardening.- Right.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22But this is only a little bit of gardening, isn't it?
0:37:22 > 0:37:24It's only a little bit of gardening, yes.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Other than the trimming and maintaining the shape,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29- how easy are these to look after? - Very easy to look after.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32What you will do is make sure you keep them well watered.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- OK.- If they are not watered on a regular basis and fed,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39they will be under stress and more open to diseases
0:37:39 > 0:37:41such as box blight, for example.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43How big of a deal is box blight in this country at the minute?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46It's a big deal at the moment.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50Their spores are carried on the wind and, if you get it in your garden,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53the chances are, if you've got any other box around,
0:37:53 > 0:37:54it's going to be affected.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56What are the signs?
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Dieback. Parts of it will die.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- And if they do die, what do you do? Chuck it out?- Preferably burn it.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- Wow, it's that bad! - Yeah, you want...
0:38:05 > 0:38:08You don't want the spores affecting anything else.
0:38:08 > 0:38:14OK. So, in something like this, sad, but not a massive deal.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17If you think of those big stately homes with huge amounts of box,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- you get box blight in there, you are in big trouble.- You are, yeah.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24It could affect every plant that you've got on your estate.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- So how do you get rid of it? - You can't get rid of it.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Once you've got it, it's there.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30There is no known cure.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33If you are not sure, get a horticultural expert to check.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- OK.- And they will diagnose it for you.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Or take a piece into a nursery in a bag.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41You don't want to spread the spores.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43I know it's very tactile, but give me my box back.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45All right. You can have it then.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47You can't help but touch it, can you?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- I know, it's lovely. - Absolutely gorgeous.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52I do love them. It is a perfect circle. Just look at it.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55There are only 20 minutes left to get everything finished,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57so this is my chance to get my hands dirty
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and help Danny finish his planting.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05I'm copying the planting that you've done over there with these geraniums
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- before you yell at me.- Have you ever known me to yell at you?
0:39:08 > 0:39:09No, no, no(!)
0:39:09 > 0:39:11I wouldn't do that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13If their leaves do go a bit brown,
0:39:13 > 0:39:16is it easy to rescue them with the right fertiliser and feed?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Very easy to rescue them.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21And I'll tell you the other thing to do
0:39:21 > 0:39:24is to replace the compost on a regular basis.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- OK.- Plants need one of two things -
0:39:27 > 0:39:31they need food or they need water, just like us humans.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37With all the show-stopping plants in place, we just need one final push
0:39:37 > 0:39:39to get this garden ready for Khadija.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49I come back here and you're just sitting down.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51They are soaking wet, they are.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53LAUGHTER
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Every time.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58At the start of the day,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Khadija's back yard was a drab and dreary blot on the landscape.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07But in just a few hours
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Danny has created a bright and beautiful garden
0:40:10 > 0:40:14for Khadija and her large family to enjoy and relax in.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Where once there was a grim, grey, concrete floor,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20now there's a swathe of colour,
0:40:20 > 0:40:24provided by the dazzling red-and-green artificial turf
0:40:24 > 0:40:25and the white gravel edging.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Danny's got rid of the claustrophobic feel
0:40:29 > 0:40:32of the dark brick walls by painting them white.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34And he's livened them up with red-and-green circles
0:40:34 > 0:40:37made from the off-cuts of the flooring.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39He's also recycled some unwanted chairs
0:40:39 > 0:40:41with bright-red vinyl paint.
0:40:42 > 0:40:47One of the biggest eyesores in the garden was the ugly rubbish bins,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50but these are now re-located to the end of the yard
0:40:50 > 0:40:52and hidden by cleverly hinged trellis panels.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56And in what used to be a horticultural disaster zone,
0:40:56 > 0:41:01there are now two large, mobile troughs filled with dazzling plants,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04as well as architectural topiary,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and date palms in pots around the edges.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Without spending a fortune, this is a spectacular transformation,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15and one that will be a complete surprise for Khadija,
0:41:15 > 0:41:20who has no idea that her daughter Syeda has arranged it.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21It's the moment of truth.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25How will Khadija react when she sees it for the first time?
0:41:25 > 0:41:30Right, ladies, step this way into your new garden.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31Wow! Whoohoo!
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Khadija has not seen this garden for a couple of days.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37It's lovely.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38Step forward for us.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Have a look around.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Wow! It's totally different.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47Totally different.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Oh, my God.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51What do you think, Syeda?
0:41:51 > 0:41:55- You can see the reaction. - It's a good reaction.- Yeah.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Ah, see, I'm getting the kisses, Danny.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59It was Danny that did all the work.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- This is Danny. - Hello, good to meet you.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- Thank you.- That's OK.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06She's really happy.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08SHE SPEAKS BANGLADESHI
0:42:08 > 0:42:09Are you glad you nominated us?
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Yeah, I'm really happy. I can't believe it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15It's such a transformation.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I can't believe you could do so much in such a small place.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19This is going to be easy to manage, Danny.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- Very easy to manage. - Very easy to manage, yeah. - Keep everything watered, really.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26And you know what you can for this, just bring your hoover out
0:42:26 > 0:42:29- and hoover it.- Oh, I could hoover it?- Yeah.- Oh, right.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33You like entertaining and getting together as a family and having social gatherings.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- Are you confident you can do that now?- Yeah, very confident.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38It's really child friendly as well.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42So you've got a nice little seating area for breakfast and
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- the grandchildren have promised they're going to make you lots of nice meals out there.- Have they?
0:42:46 > 0:42:48As you said, this is child friendly.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I know there are lots of grandchildren back there.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54They're waiting, don't know what is happening.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Like coiled springs.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58OK, this is the test, Khadija.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Are you happy?
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- What do you think? - What do you think?
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Are you shocked?
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Is it a bit different?
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Go and explore.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18They are very excited to come here.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Are you going to make Granny breakfast out here?
0:43:20 > 0:43:22- I will.- She could sit out here, couldn't she?
0:43:22 > 0:43:26And read a book and you could bring her a nice cup of tea or some fruit.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Only for her?
0:43:29 > 0:43:31- Only for Granny, yeah.- And Grandad.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33And Grandad. Do you like it?
0:43:33 > 0:43:35- Hello.- She's shocked.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38You know what they say? Happy wife, happy life.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40Yes, happy. Thank you very much.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43- It's a pleasure. - Thank you very much for having us.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47Thanks from my families, from my children, my wife,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49my grandchildren.
0:43:49 > 0:43:50Everybody, I give you big thanks.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- Thank you very much.- Syeda said, "And me, I nominated you."
0:43:53 > 0:43:56- I did all the... - Yes, Syeda, well done.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59- Enjoy your new space, guys. - Thank you very much.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Well, this is a family that loves to get together.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05They love to socialise, they love to entertain
0:44:05 > 0:44:09and they love to celebrate being one big happy family.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11And they definitely are that today.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Danny has triumphed.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17He's turned a boring back yard into an exciting garden in just one day.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Join us again soon for another transformation
0:44:20 > 0:44:22by the Instant Gardener.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24Say thank you.
0:44:24 > 0:44:25ALL: Thank you.