0:00:02 > 0:00:04Beautiful gardens are one of Britain's most glorious sights,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but if your green space is more mess than majestic,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10making it over can be a daunting prospect,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13especially if you are short on time and money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Well, the Instant Gardener is here.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Ta-da.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Danny Clarke is an expert at transforming gardens.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25These are really bringing a smile to my face.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Each time, our gardening guru will be showing you how to create
0:00:28 > 0:00:31gorgeous garden makeovers.
0:00:31 > 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 > 0:00:42Just continually deadhead
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and you will keep getting that plant to flower.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46'He'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 > 0:00:52It'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 > 0:00:59'..and showing you how to spend a small budget wisely...'
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- That's why Danny makes me bring a list.- OK.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'..be it on shrubs or salvage.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Would you like that in your garden?
0:01:08 > 0:01:11'And because Danny is the Instant Gardner,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13'everything you see will happen in a single day.'
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Oh, thank you so much.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17Oh, wow.
0:01:17 > 0:01:18That's unbelievable.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Today, we are in Barry, a seaside resort on the Glamorgan coast
0:01:30 > 0:01:32and one of the largest towns in Wales.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38As well as being home to some glorious beaches,
0:01:38 > 0:01:43it also boasts more than 220 acres of green countryside and woodland.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47This is absolutely stunning.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49If you've got something like this on your doorstep,
0:01:49 > 0:01:50you are very, very lucky.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55But what if your back garden is more postage stamp than picture postcard?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Well, we are here to meet a lady whose garden is tiny,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00but who is planning a big surprise.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07This is my favourite kind of instant garden.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10We are here to makeover the garden that belongs to this house.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12The lady of the house knows we are coming.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14The man of the house has no idea.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17He thinks he's going to work as normal.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- Hello.- Hi.- Come on out.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Is it Sam?- Yes.- Nice to meet you.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We are here with a bit of a surprise.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30I've got some friends with me. Do you mind if we come in?
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- No, of course not.- Sorry.- She knows. - I know. Sorry. I'm sorry, love.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Fiances Sam and Samantha moved to Barry last year,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48shortly after finding out they were expecting their first child together.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Sam's parents helped with the move.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Using their combined stonemasonry skills,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Sam and his dad had planned
0:02:54 > 0:02:57to renovate the garden together this summer.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00However, this plan was shattered
0:03:00 > 0:03:02by Mick's sudden death from cancer in November.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Samantha and Sam would love a safe and playful space
0:03:07 > 0:03:09for their daughters to enjoy,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11but also a garden where they can reflect
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and remember Sam's late father.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17As a surprise for her husband-to-be,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Samantha has called in the services of the Instant Gardner.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24There will be no surprises for Danny, though, because he popped
0:03:24 > 0:03:29over to Barry a few weeks ago for a sneaky preview of the garden.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Oh. Ooh.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34I like this. Very nice.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Quite typical of a lot of mid-terraced properties is this garden.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Very much a blank canvas.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43We've got this concrete patio
0:03:43 > 0:03:46and we've got these horrible, boring slabs in the middle.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49We've got these skinny beds round here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51I'm not a great fan of skinny beds.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52I like nice, wide beds
0:03:52 > 0:03:53because as far as I'm concerned,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55your garden is all about your plants.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Maybe we can add colour, some interest into the garden
0:03:59 > 0:04:01and also the walls.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07Now, looking at this wall, it's kind of a mixture of bricks and boulders.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08And look at this.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11It just shows you, where there is a way, a plant will find a way.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14It's growing out of this wall and, do you know what?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I think this has given me a little bit of inspiration.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23This is all hodgepodgey and I think it could all do with being unified.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25We need to bring it all together.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I think Sam and Sam deserve something better.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30I think we can try and make that happen for them.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32A few weeks later, and with a plan in mind,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Danny is back to meet the garden's owners.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37OK, Sam and Sam.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- This is obviously your garden as you know it.- Yeah, yeah.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Come on out here and meet Danny.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- Hi, nice to meet you. - Sam, all right?- Yeah, well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50- This is Sam and Sam. - Hi.- All right?
0:04:50 > 0:04:54We are going to makeover your garden today.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Is that something you are all right with?- Yeah, definitely.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Sorry, this is all mental.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- You had no idea we were coming. - Absolutely no idea.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05How do you feel about us being here, descending on your house?
0:05:05 > 0:05:06It's fine. It's brilliant.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Talk to me about your garden as it is.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11It's something that I came into this house and immediately thought
0:05:11 > 0:05:14we need to change, really, just for the kids and stuff.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- It's not really safe for the children, is it?- It's not safe.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18It too grey. It's horrible.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19So you've got two small children.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Erin is...- Erin is six.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- And Matilda is... - Six, nearly seven months.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28So how important is having a bit of outdoor space to you as a family?
0:05:28 > 0:05:29Oh, it is massively important.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31You know, the nice weather and stuff,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34you spend half the year outside, you know,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36and you don't really want to do it in this.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39So what would you like to see out here?
0:05:39 > 0:05:43To be honest, I was going to straight copy two doors down
0:05:43 > 0:05:46because I love it. It's decking.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It's really nice and friendly and inviting.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50So you see other gardens and you think, "Oh, do you know what?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- "I'd like to do something with mine."- Steal little bits.- Yeah.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55What would you like to see out here, Sam?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57If something could be done that just makes it a nicer space
0:05:57 > 0:05:58for us as a family.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Somewhere where we can come and relax and sort of reflect.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04You know, there's been things going on that we'd just like
0:06:04 > 0:06:07to have a nice place that we can actually enjoy really.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10You know, I come out here and I just think...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12You've had a bit of a difficult time as a family.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Not that long ago, you lost your dad.- Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- Is that why you decided to nominate Sam for this?- Yeah.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22One of the things that they were going to do was the garden together.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25That was one of the main reasons that I wanted Sam
0:06:25 > 0:06:27to have somewhere nice to come and for the girls as well,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31especially Matilda, who never sort of got to do much of this.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- Sorry, I'm crying now.- Sorry, love.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35No, that's family, isn't it?
0:06:35 > 0:06:38But, yeah, one of the main reasons was that
0:06:38 > 0:06:40that was the plan for this summer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42That's what we were going to do together.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- Well, the plan was to makeover this garden. That is going to happen.- OK.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Danny, what do you think about this space?
0:06:49 > 0:06:50It's a lovely little space.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53It gives me a nice feeling, you know?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56And one of the important things about gardens is not just designing,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00it's how you feel within that space and it does feel good.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02It ticks a lot of boxes, but what we'll do,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- we'll just make the most of what you've got here.- Fab.- Yeah.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Bear in mind we've only got a day. - Yeah, yeah.- Yeah, we know.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09Thank you so much.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Sam, we are going to get out of their hair and let them crack on.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- So, we'll go off and get some ideas. - Yeah, cool.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- You two are going to do the hard graft.- Thank you so much.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- That's all right.- Thank you. - A pleasure.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Anything you need us to get?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Yes, if you can get what is in here for me, that would be brilliant.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27No problem.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32See, now you're going shopping and I've got to work.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34That's the modern world, Sam. It's the modern world.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Right then, have a lovely day. Enjoy. Don't work too hard.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- See you later.- We'll get out of the way.- Take care. Bye-bye.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- See you soon.- Bye, love.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44With Sam out of the way,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Danny can at last reveal his plan for the garden.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49We are not far from the seaside here
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and this is going to be a family-friendly garden.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56So, I'm thinking to myself, this is going to be a beach garden.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03You may view this as an ugly wall, but I see this as a positive
0:08:03 > 0:08:05because I just see a cliff
0:08:05 > 0:08:08that's full of crooks and crannies and crevices,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11and what we're going to do is plant that up with some gorgeous plants.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18So, we're going to paint the smooth bit of the wall a lovely sky blue
0:08:18 > 0:08:22and down below, we're going to have a sandpit here.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24And this strip here is going to be decking
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and we're going to make that out of scaff planks.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29And to carry on that beach theme,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33I'm thinking of the sea, and we want to do a little nod to the sea.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And I'm going to do a strip of blue here,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and we're going to do that with blue paint.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42And to bring it all together, let's not forget these walls.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44So, I'm going to paint that wall white
0:08:44 > 0:08:48and I'm going to introduce some purple onto that wall
0:08:48 > 0:08:52and just paint part of this wall the same gorgeous purple
0:08:52 > 0:08:55as I am painting that wall over there.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And over here, we're going to construct a corner seat.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We can also recycle these pots,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05so we're definitely going to plant them up.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09So, I'm going to increase this planting area here,
0:09:09 > 0:09:10increase the planting area there
0:09:10 > 0:09:13and we're going to put some seaside plants in,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17for example, grasses and maybe even put some sea holly in.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I think that will look absolutely great.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22So, Danny is planning to add splashes of colour to the walls
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and ground, and replace the old paving stones with decking.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29He'll turn the ramshackle wall into a planting opportunity,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31add seashore plants to the borders
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and finally add a bench for the family
0:09:34 > 0:09:36so they can sit and relax together.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40The idea here is to make a dual-purpose garden,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43a garden for the adults and their children to enjoy,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47and we're going to do just that with a quirky, beach-themed garden.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50It might be a small garden,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53but there is still a lot to do in just one day.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Not to worry, though, as Samantha is here to help,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58as well as our gardening team, AJ,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Amyrose and Luke.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05With the plan in place, it's time for Danny to dish out the first tasks.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- So, what we're going to do first of all is lift these slabs...- OK.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- ..and put some decking down. - Oh, fantastic.- All right?
0:10:11 > 0:10:12And we're going to paint the walls.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- So that wall there, that wall there and that wall there.- Oh, wow. OK.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- And this wall here.- OK.- OK? So that's going to be sky-blue.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- That's going to be purple.- Wow. - That's going to be white.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- And that's going to be purple. - Fan... Brilliant.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27So, Sam, if you could do the painting, or assist in the painting.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28OK, yeah.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31And, AJ, if you can concentrate on the decking, it'd be brilliant.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33OK, then.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34All right, so we'd better get moving
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- because before we know it, they'll all be back.- OK.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- So let's get cracking.- Fabulous. - OK, cheers.- Thanks.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44But before they can do any of that,
0:10:44 > 0:10:45they need to tidy up.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49So, what's the news, then, AJ?
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Well, we've got a fair bit of this, like, a bit of hardcore underneath there
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and then it's been spotted with cement.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Well, that doesn't seem like terrible news to me.- No, no.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02When some of these come up, we can just get some of this...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- As you can see, it's moving already.- Yeah.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So we can chisel that out, can't we?
0:11:06 > 0:11:10So, there's that and then we've probably got a bit of a flat playing surface.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13OK, that's brilliant. That's good news.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Yep, so just crack on with that, then, Sam.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17The thing is, you know, we haven't got X-ray eyes,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20so we don't know what's under here until we arrive
0:11:20 > 0:11:21and we start lifting things,
0:11:21 > 0:11:26- but we kind of suspected that it might be something we could work with...- Good.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29..because of the way the slabs are lying.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32So, yeah, that's good news, so that will save us a lot of time.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Make the job a bit easier. - Fantastic.- Great.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38While AJ concentrates on the paving...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43..Samantha gives the tired back wall a lick of paint -
0:11:43 > 0:11:47a cheap and easy way to give your garden an instant face-lift.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Meanwhile, I'm taking Sam on a hunt for some inspiration.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59A stone's throw from Sam's home
0:11:59 > 0:12:02is the beginning of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06an area of dramatic landscapes and stunning natural beauty.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11It is home not only to many species of wildlife,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15but also an array of coast-dwelling plants.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Sam, here you have coast and you have woodland.- Yeah.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21You don't have either, but there is plenty here
0:12:21 > 0:12:24that I think you could kind of copy and take into your garden.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Yeah, definitely.- Be nice for the girls to have some flowers.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28That would be lovely.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32This is particularly special because it is a woodland on the coast.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- The woodland can thrive because the elms are giving it a bit of protection.- OK.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38But they're not that big, so everything behind it
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- can't grow that big.- Right.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- It's still quite impressive, though, eh?- Ah, it's unbelievable.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44There's a lot going on here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Is there anything you see here that you like the look of?
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Yeah, I quite like these little guys here.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Do you do much gardening at the minute?
0:12:50 > 0:12:53You know, when you've got two little kids, it's hard, isn't it?
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- I guess it's just about having a family space, isn't it? - Yeah, it definitely is.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Well, this is certainly not for toddlers, I would say,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03so let's make the most of it while the girls aren't with you
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- and meet a man who can tell us a bit more about it.- Let's go, yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09While we go in search of some local expertise,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Danny is moving onto the next job.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15He is a firm believer in marking things out before committing
0:13:15 > 0:13:19to them and sometimes a second opinion is vital.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Sam, I'm trying to put this... I'm too near to it to get it straight.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Could you be a guide? If you stand there and just look,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29as you can be my eyes from there.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Is that part straight?- No.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- That needs to come up. - That bit needs to come up now?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Or can you just bring that one down a little bit?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- This needs to come down?- Yeah, it needs to come down. Yeah.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Right there?- Yeah. - You're happy with that?- Yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42You can also use a spirit level or tape measure
0:13:42 > 0:13:44to check if something is right.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- It's out about half a centimetre. - Still out.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- I'm not offended by that.- It could just go up a little bit, couldn't it?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Just in the middle. Just a little bit.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Worth remembering, Danny. The customer is always right.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Right. Come down, what, about a centimetre?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06So if I come down slightly, like that, yeah?
0:14:06 > 0:14:07How about that? How does that look?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- I think that...- I think that's fine.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- Let's go with that. - No, I like that.- Great. Yep.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Spot on. That's why it looks straight now.- There we go.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Masking off the area you want to paint with tape and then
0:14:28 > 0:14:32painting right up to it will give you a nice, sharp, straight line.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35When the paint is dry, carefully pull off the tape
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and your handiwork will have a professional edge.
0:14:38 > 0:14:39- Sam.- Yeah?
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- What do you think of this colour? - Erin will be thrilled with that.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Her favourite colours are pink and purple, so she will love that.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50Danny is determined to make this garden a success for Sam and his family.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Back at the Glamorgan Heritage Coastline Walk,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56we are keen to get inspiration for the planting element.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58To ensure the garden is packed with suitable plants,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02choosing the right species for a seaside spot is key,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05something site ranger Paul Locke knows all about.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Tell us about this breathtaking bit of coastline.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11This is the Glamorgan Heritage Coast,
0:15:11 > 0:15:1414 miles of coastline stretching from an industrial
0:15:14 > 0:15:17area in the east to a tourism area in the west.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Would it be fair to say this is a special part of the country
0:15:20 > 0:15:23that you are paying special interest and special attention to?
0:15:23 > 0:15:24That's right, yes.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Well, it is certainly working because it looks pretty impressive,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- doesn't it?- Oh, it's beautiful. - So what do you do to look after it?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33All sorts of conservation for lots of the species,
0:15:33 > 0:15:38whether it might be woodlands, grasslands or any of the protected
0:15:38 > 0:15:41species that live on the cliffs, like peregrine falcons.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Tell me about what grows here because stunning as it is,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- it is also quite harsh. Are you feeling the cold?- Yes, a little bit.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50And it is quite windy. What goes well here?
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Specific coastal varieties that really like to live here,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57things like thrift, rock samphire will live out on the cliff tops.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00And samphire is the stuff that you can eat, yeah?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Yes, you get it in restaurants. I love that.- Never had it.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Oh, it's great. So do you notice a difference even in this
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- sort of 200m stretch of coastline?- It is massive, yes.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11There is very little on the front. The salt winds kill everything.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14It trims down the grass and you have to have a real niche
0:16:14 > 0:16:16species that wants to live there.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Can these coastal varieties work well in domestic
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- gardens, like in Sam's? - Yes, definitely.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Most things can be grown in gardens. Thrift is a particular favourite
0:16:24 > 0:16:27because it is a nice pink colour and looks good in gardens.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Further in, it gets more herb rich.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32There's some particular specialities like purple gromwell.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It is quite harsh and bare out there, yet there seems to be a lot
0:16:35 > 0:16:38more going on up here. Shall we go and have a look over here
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- for some inspiration?- Yes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43While we explore more of this wild and wonderful trail,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46back in Sam's garden, Danny is turning his attention
0:16:46 > 0:16:48to his cliff-inspired wall.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51I love walled gardens.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Walled gardens are great and the reason they're great, is
0:16:53 > 0:16:57because the walls actually acts as storage heaters.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01They draw in the heat during the day and emit the heat at night.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03When we look at this wall, here, all right,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06a lot of people might look at this wall and think, you know,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09pull it down, but I'm going to turn this into a positive.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Within this wall, there are lots of little crevasses,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15lots of nooks and crannies.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Now, that's great because you can get little microclimates.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23It's going to be warmer in there than it's going to be out here,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26which is great for the plants and that's why a lot of plants
0:17:26 > 0:17:28can survive in these areas.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Danny is transforming this unloved wall into a miniature cliff.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41He's enlarging the crevasses within the wall in order to create
0:17:41 > 0:17:45planting pockets, taking special care not to weaken the load-bearing
0:17:45 > 0:17:46rocks on the bottom.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51If you're not confident about using a hammer drill,
0:17:51 > 0:17:52get an expert to help.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Back on the Glamorgan coast,
0:17:58 > 0:18:03Sam and I are on the hunt for more coastal flora. What is that, Paul?
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- Sea buckthorn.- Sea buckthorn. I like the colour.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- It gets really bright orange berries on it.- Does it?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13And here we have something rather special.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Yes, this pretty little one is called purple gromwell.
0:18:15 > 0:18:21It's a bit of a garden favourite, to be honest, or a variation of this.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23This is a wild protected version.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25There's not much of it found in Wales.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29We are in a little bit of a hot spot here and it likes to grow in amongst
0:18:29 > 0:18:33other foliage, if it can, so that it's not in amongst the salt winds
0:18:33 > 0:18:37and it's slightly protected in amongst bramble or any other scrub.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41We work hard on trying to produce just the right
0:18:41 > 0:18:44amount of shade for it to grow each spring, so we'll have a month or
0:18:44 > 0:18:47so, three weeks of flowers now and then it'll die back,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and then we can start to manage the area ready for the next year.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52So if Sam introduced something like this into his garden,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55what would he need to do to make sure it thrives like this?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58The cultivated version is very much easier to look after
0:18:58 > 0:19:00and it doesn't need this intensive management.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02So we could just get some from the garden centre?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Yes, and it will work well in the garden.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Is this the kind of thing you'd like to see in your garden?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Yes, it is really pretty.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- I can imagine Erin enjoying those flowers.- Yes, definitely.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13You don't have any flowers at the moment, do you?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Absolutely nothing at all. Anything like this would be lovely.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Paul, thank you very much for your help, advice and assistance.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- No problem.- Lovely to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24We might leave the brambles for today. They would take over.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Definitely.- You could make a lot of jam. Paul, thank you.- Bye.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31If you want to pick the best plants for a seaside spot, a good starting
0:19:31 > 0:19:36point is to choose plants that gradually grow close to the sea.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37To cope with coastal conditions,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41many plants have crafty adaptations such as small, silvery
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and succulent leaves built to withstand wind and salt spray.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50When choosing plans for a coastal garden, the clue is in the name.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Anything with the Latin name, maritima, like this sea thrift,
0:19:54 > 0:19:55is usually a good bet.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58You don't have to have a seaside spot in order to create
0:19:58 > 0:20:02a coastal style, but do bear in mind that many coastal plants
0:20:02 > 0:20:05thrive in poor soil, so don't overfeed them.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- Back in Barry, Danny is rethinking that purple wall.- Sam?- Yep.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- I've had a change of plan but I want to run it by you.- OK.- OK?- Yep.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- Don't look so worried.- OK. - Trust me, I'm a doctor.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30I want to extend this purple up to this line here.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Because this line is not straight?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Well, it's not because the line's not straight,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I just think the whole thing would look better.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39If you look at that wall there, there's quite a lot of paint there,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41there's quite a lot of paint there, but there's not very much here.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- No, no, yes, I agree. - I just feel this just needs...
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I know we've done a lovely straight line
0:20:46 > 0:20:48and it took a lot of debate to get it right.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50What I want to do is just to extend it to up here
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and just run it at an angle at about that height.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57I think it would give the garden a better balance.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Never be afraid to change your mind.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02It's OK to change your plan once it's starting to take shape
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and you're beginning to see its effect.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08As AJ sets to work on a sandpit for the girls,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Danny and the team vanquish the rest of those grey walls.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Meanwhile, Sam and I are taking a bit of a rest, which gives me
0:21:18 > 0:21:23the chance to find out how much this garden makeover will mean to him.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Talk us through family life for you at the minute,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28because you haven't lived in Barry for that long, have you?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30No, last April, from Bristol, yeah.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Last October was amazing for you,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36because your gorgeous daughter Matilda came along.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39That was the best thing to ever happen. It was brilliant.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46- But November was the opposite end of the spectrum.- Yes, it was bad.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49My parents came back from holiday and my dad had a big cough
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and was feeling weak and just, you know, older people
0:21:52 > 0:21:56don't go to the doctors and finally went and they had to take
0:21:56 > 0:21:59bits out of his neck and stuff, and it came back that he had
0:21:59 > 0:22:03terminal cancer and he was given six to 12 months to live
0:22:03 > 0:22:05and he died nine days later.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09You thought he was going to be around for a good few months,
0:22:09 > 0:22:14- but in the end...- Yeah, glad he met my daughter, so...
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- How are you doing? - All right. Up and down.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22You know, my kids get me through, Sam gets me through and
0:22:22 > 0:22:26my family, you know? But it's tough but, you know, we're getting there.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33In terms of your dad, how much time did you get to spend together?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Were you quite close, father and son?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Yeah, I used to be a stonemason with him
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and then I left, and then I came back to it,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43so I was working with him
0:22:43 > 0:22:47for eight years from early 20s and having that kind of rift,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50father and son, and ending up being really, really close with him.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53You two had big plans for the backyard, didn't you?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Yes, you know, we were going to strip it all back
0:22:55 > 0:22:57and completely redo it together.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00How difficult is that then, looking at that backyard thinking
0:23:00 > 0:23:03you were going to do something really good with that,
0:23:03 > 0:23:04with your dad?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07It must be heart-breaking to kind of think it's not going to
0:23:07 > 0:23:09achieve its full potential as you wanted it to, is it?
0:23:09 > 0:23:13No, definitely not because my dad knew what he was doing and I don't.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16If I tried to do it, it would be terrible.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- What would you like to see in your garden?- You know what?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Anything is going to be a brilliant improvement,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26so I'll be happy whatever happens to it, really.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29You know, bit of decking would be nice but if not, it's fine.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32So we're never going to get our job done in the garden today
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- if we don't actually get to that garden centre.- Yes, let's do it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36- Let's hit the road.- All right.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38While we had to do some shopping, back at the garden, the
0:23:38 > 0:23:42walls are painted, AJ is busy prepping the decking and Danny
0:23:42 > 0:23:46is turning his mind to planting his own miniature cliff face.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49What we're doing today, we're treating this cliff face
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- as a rockery.- OK. - It makes sense, doesn't it?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- It's a vertical rockery.- Oh, fab.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57For that reason, we've chosen alpine plants.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Now, these alpine plants, they will grow in these crevices.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03They don't need much maintenance, which is good for you.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06That is fantastic for me because maintenance isn't my biggest
0:24:06 > 0:24:08thing in the garden, so that's fantastic, yeah.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11OK, now there's one here. You see this in a lot of gardens.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Do you recognise it?- Yes, I do, I have definitely seen those before.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16That is called Aubrieta and that's quite common.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18You see this in a lot of rockery gardens,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21so I thought that would be a good idea for this wall.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Planting up a wall like this couldn't be easier.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Simply press the plants into the nooks and crannies.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Just make sure you've given each plant a good soak in water first.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- There's some thyme here. - Oh, I love thyme.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Just smell that. All right? - Will I be able to cook with this?
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Yes, no reason why you can't. that will cascade down.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47So, in time, this wall will be covered with lovely plants.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- Brilliant.- There is a little tip here.- OK.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51To get these plants in, you're not going to get it out
0:24:51 > 0:24:54because the roots have grown through these holes,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56so what you do here is just tear these roots.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- So, that doesn't matter? - Doesn't matter.- Oh, OK.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00That will just slide out.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Sometimes what happens is you still won't be able to get it out,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07you know, so just squeeze the pot like that and it just
0:25:07 > 0:25:10dislodges the soil and should just slip out.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15We've got some sedums here.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18These are truly well adapted to these conditions
0:25:18 > 0:25:21because you can see these fleshy, glossy leaves.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24These retain the water in their leaves.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Planting up this wall is a cheap
0:25:26 > 0:25:30and easy way to turn a boring wall into a blaze of floral colour
0:25:30 > 0:25:34and whilst Sam carries on with that, AJ has also come up with a cheap
0:25:34 > 0:25:39way to make the decking using low-cost scaffolding boards.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41We're going to put these wooden treated
0:25:41 > 0:25:44posts down as sort of the framework.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47They're on this surface here, which has got great drainage anyway
0:25:47 > 0:25:50because it's that sub-base that's there.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54We're going to put new scaffolding boards on top, which are like
0:25:54 > 0:25:57really fresh and clean, to give that driftwood look
0:25:57 > 0:25:59because we're doing a beach garden.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Scaffolding boards, here, they do make good decking
0:26:09 > 0:26:11because of the thickness of them.
0:26:12 > 0:26:18These are 38mm thick, so the thicker the wood, the less it's
0:26:18 > 0:26:22going to bend, so in theory, the less of the framework you kind of need.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I like to have these smaller gaps anyway
0:26:25 > 0:26:27because when you're standing on it, there's absolutely no
0:26:27 > 0:26:32way, between these two posts here, is this bending.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I love fresh wood and as these scaffolding boards are brand-new,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39it will look amazing.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Danny's seaside vision for the garden is coming together nicely.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Now it's my turn to contribute to the theme by finding
0:26:45 > 0:26:47the plants on Danny's shopping list.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Sam, I have brought you here
0:26:49 > 0:26:52because Danny would like some coastal plants, including sea thrift.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I know we can get that here.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Now, we've seen a few other things like the periwinkles and some of
0:26:57 > 0:27:00those flowers, how do you feel about getting some of that for the garden?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- Yes, that's good.- OK. Let's see what we can find.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07If you have a particular theme in mind for your garden, it's a
0:27:07 > 0:27:11good idea to research the right plants before you go shopping,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14then make a list and stick to it.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16If you can't find what you're looking for,
0:27:16 > 0:27:20ask for help as an expert may be able to suggest alternatives.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- Steve, good to see you.- You OK? - This is Sam.- Hi, how are you?
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- We're in search of some coastal plants.- OK.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Now, we've been sent for sea thrift in particular,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33but to be honest, we'll have a look at anything else you've got.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37- OK, I can do sea thrift right away. If you'd like to follow me.- Cool.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41I like those. So, what have we got here?
0:27:41 > 0:27:44OK, so we've got two types of sea thrift in at the moment.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46We've got the Armeria maritima Rubriofolia,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and then we've got the maritima Alba.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Alba means white, so this is the lovely white flower
0:27:52 > 0:27:54and then you've got the pink flower here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- What can you tell us about the sea thrift?- It's a good coastal plant.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01It gives you a nice sort of matted carpet of evergreen foliage
0:28:01 > 0:28:03and you get these beautiful spikes of flowers on top.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05And will this give you something all year round?
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Yes, the foliage is actually evergreen,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09so you've always got a bit of interest all year round.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11- How easy are they to look after? - Pretty easy.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Just nice drainage, even multipurpose compost,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- they'll be fine.- Full sun. How sunny is your backyard?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20It is like a little sun trap, really.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23What do you think about the white version versus the pink version?
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- I think the pink. - Let's take these ones.- Brilliant.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- What about periwinkle? - OK, that's something else we can do.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- If you'd like to follow me. - This way?
0:28:36 > 0:28:40OK, these are periwinkles or Vinca, as you know them.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Again, lots of different varieties.
0:28:42 > 0:28:43We've got the Ralph Schugart there.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47Lovely variegated foliage. A mauve colour I guess.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Then there's the alba, which is the white again.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52- What do you make of these, Sam? - Yeah, they're nice.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56- If you could pick any of those, which would you go for?- That's hard.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- What would you say? - What would you recommend, Steve?
0:29:00 > 0:29:03OK, I'd probably like to choose something that is a bit
0:29:03 > 0:29:06complimentary of the Armerias that you've already got,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08so I would maybe go for the Vinca bowles variety.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Is that important, to think about what flowers are going to come
0:29:12 > 0:29:15out, so that you can make sure your plants complement each other?
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Yes, it is always important to think about what colours go together.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Sometimes, this would be what you'd consider, maybe a section of
0:29:21 > 0:29:24the colour wheel which is all pinks and purples all together,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26or you could go for something a bit contrasting as well.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29There's no rule about it. It's up to you, essentially,
0:29:29 > 0:29:32but I think it's a nice thing to do. All-round interest.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Aren't there some with more flowers in?
0:29:34 > 0:29:36There will be much more flowers than that.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Nice flowers but actually that's quite big.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40That's offering a lot, isn't it?
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Yes, they're a nice sizeable plant and considered a sub shrub,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44so they would be ground cover or low-growing plants.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- So that's going to grow out? - That's going to spread, yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Can you have these plants if you live inland?
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- As in coastal plants?- Yes.- OK, yeah, there's no problem with that.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55It's more down to the tolerance of the salt air.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57These plants are OK with the salt air.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Yes, there's no reason why you couldn't grow them.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02OK, if you live on the coast and you want an interesting garden,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04obviously plants are a key thing,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06you need hardy plants that can cope with the conditions.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Is there anything else you can recommend?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11You could think about maybe creating a windbreak.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13If you plant a hedge line around where your garden is,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17you can essentially create a windbreak and a microclimate
0:30:17 > 0:30:21as well within your garden, so you can grow a wider variety of plants.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Brilliant. That's all good to bear in mind. Shall we grab another one of these?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26- Yeah.- I'll grab these. Sam, you grab the sea thrift.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31- Steve, thank you for your advice. - Pleasure. Enjoy.- See you again.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32The decking is now taking shape
0:30:32 > 0:30:35and as AJ has kicked Danny out of the garden, he's found
0:30:35 > 0:30:39a quiet spot in the lane to start planting up Sam's old pots.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43The plants we're going to put in is some lovely plants here
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- and these are called scabious.- OK.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- They're really beautiful, and they will flower.- Really pretty.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51They're really pretty, aren't they?
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Going with that mauve theme that we've got going in your garden,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56which is brilliant, and what's great about these, they do
0:30:56 > 0:30:59attract the bees and we do like bees, don't we?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- Definitely, yes, they're all for the bees.- They're all for the bees.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05I think if we put them in the centre of these pots and then
0:31:05 > 0:31:09plant around them, these could be the good sort of feature plants.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16So I think what we'll do is we'll dig away the top layer of soil
0:31:16 > 0:31:17and we'll do a bit of arranging.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21So, if we put the scabious in the middle,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23that's going to be the centrepiece in there.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Rejuvenating old pots is a quick
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and easy way of breathing new life into your garden.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31So, these are now, we've done these, they're in good shape now.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- What do you reckon?- Yeah, I think they're going to look fantastic.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- Shall we take them in?- Yeah, definitely.- OK, we'll do that.- OK.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Another job completed and now Danny
0:31:38 > 0:31:40is turning his attention to something
0:31:40 > 0:31:44that will make Sam's surprise garden even more special for him.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47It'd be nice to put a memorial in the garden, wouldn't it?
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- Yes.- For Sam's dad.- Yeah, Mick. - Mick. And have you any ideas?
0:31:52 > 0:31:58Mick was really into sort of family tree and ancestry, so a tree.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Personally, I think that would work for us as a memorial
0:32:01 > 0:32:04because it would mean something to everybody and it can grow with us.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07If we did something like that, it just meant that there's something
0:32:07 > 0:32:10in here that means something more than just having the garden done.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Do you know what? I love that idea, I think it's great.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15- It might be an idea for me to give Helen a ring.- OK.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- And see if she can bring one back. - OK, brilliant.- Great.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- Well, I think Danny will be happy with these.- Yeah, definitely.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26A nice little bit of colour. Oh, hang on, talking of Danny.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28That'll be him.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29- Hello!- Hello, Helen.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- There's one thing I'd like you to get me, if it's possible.- OK.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38- A tree.- A tree?- Yes. Preferably an amelanchier.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41OK, so if not an amelanchier, what else would do?
0:32:41 > 0:32:42I'll just leave it to you.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46I'm sure we will find an amelanchier, if not something similar.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Or something similar, that'd be fine. Don't bring an oak back.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53You know me well. All right, then, some sort of tree. How big?
0:32:53 > 0:32:59- I would say it's about two metres high.- OK.- Yeah? So that's the idea.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- OK, cool.- OK, see you soon. - All right. Bye.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- OK, you don't currently have many trees in your garden?- No, I don't.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- How do you feel about having one? - Let's do it.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14When in a garden centre in South Wales, get a tree.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Danny has been keeping the reason he's chosen a tree secret,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22until now, but he still needs to find a place to plant it.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Maybe AJ can help.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Oh, one that I follow everywhere, who's my hero.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30I just need to ask a favour. It's a big favour.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32I've just come up with this idea.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36It's going to mean a little bit more work, but I want to run it by you.
0:33:36 > 0:33:37Well, crack on.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38OK. We've got this memorial tree coming
0:33:38 > 0:33:41and I'm struggling as to where I'm going to put it.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- I think a great place to put it would be here.- Oh.- Yeah, I know.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48How much of an issue would that be for you if we put it here?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I know you'd have to do some cutting.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Do some cutting, that would be it. - So I can do it?- Yeah.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Thanks, AJ.- I'm here to help. I am here to help.- Brilliant.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Nice one, AJ!
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Now the memorial tree can take pride of place in the decking area.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Back at the garden centre, Sam and I are on the hunt
0:34:14 > 0:34:16for the tree that Danny has added to our list.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Sam doesn't know what it's for it yet,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21but let's hope he can find one he likes
0:34:21 > 0:34:23and I know just the person to help.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27- Steve!- Oh, hello again.- Sorry, we're back.- Hi, how are you? OK?- Yeah.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I know we said that we were done, but we actually want a tree.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31OK, that's no problem.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- A small garden tree, ideally an amelanchier.- OK.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37But if not an amelanchier, something similar.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Now, Sam's garden isn't huge, is it?- No, it's pretty small.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43OK, I can do one amelanchier for you.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45There are some other options though,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49if you're looking for a tree for a small garden. These, for example.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Oh, that's lovely, isn't it?
0:34:51 > 0:34:53This is Syringa, or lilac, as it's commonly known.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55That's lovely.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58It's also grown as a shrub, it flowers between May and June.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01It tends to have a nice perfume to it too.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03The foliage is a nice shape as well,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06a nice heart-shaped foliage to it, so that could be one option for you.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10- It doesn't get too large at all. - It smells nice and looks nice.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- Heart-shaped leaves.- Mm-hm. Yeah. - It's...
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Another option could be your salix.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Let me just bring this over for you.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Because your backyard, it's not a massive, is it?
0:35:21 > 0:35:22It's not massive at all, no.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24I wouldn't have thought a tree
0:35:24 > 0:35:26is something you could have back there.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Yeah, there's plenty of trees you can choose from,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30or some shrubs that have been grown into standards
0:35:30 > 0:35:32that would look like a tree.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35This one, for example, this is Salix Kilmarnock.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- Is it a willow?- It is a willow.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40You get late winter, early spring some lovely, lovely catkins,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42so that's one interesting point.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45So this would be covered in all those nice little white fluffy bits?
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- Nice little fluffy bits, yes. - Interesting.- Yeah.- Or not!
0:35:48 > 0:35:50It's not going to get too large.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53You can see there's a graft union, so what they've essentially done is
0:35:53 > 0:35:55they've taken the root stock from one Salix that's not too vigorous,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59and put a different type of Salix on top. The top is going to fill out
0:35:59 > 0:36:02and you've got a nice architectural shape there as well.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- Not feeling a lot of love for it. - No, not really.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07- OK, it's a no from Sam on this occasion.- OK.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09What about that amelanchier?
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- If you're after an amelanchier, then we have one here.- OK.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15- OK, well, that looks lovely. - It is lovely.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Springwise, you get these lovely white flowers
0:36:18 > 0:36:20followed by this bronze foliage,
0:36:20 > 0:36:21which emerges first of all.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25The flowers obviously fade and then the foliage turns a darker green,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29and then these lovely flowers will turn into blackish bluey berries.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- Nice.- Which are also edible as well, so no problem there with anything.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Because you have small children, you don't want them
0:36:35 > 0:36:38pulling things off the tree that are going to be poisonous.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41I don't think they're necessary palatable, but they use it
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- as an alternative for sloe gin, for example.- OK.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Are the berries good for attracting wildlife?
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Berries tend to be good for attracting wildlife all-round,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51yes, so that's always a good option.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55OK, so flowers, foliage, loose habit, I like that term.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56And gin-making berries.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Is that easy to manage in a small garden?
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Because what you don't want is something big and overbearing
0:37:01 > 0:37:03and that'll cast a big shadow over the garden.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Yeah. It's not going to block out all your light.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- OK, we'll go with the amelanchier.- OK. Lovely.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Thank you so much for your help.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- No problem.- I'd like to say this is goodbye but we'll probably be back.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- I'll possibly see you again. - Until next time, thanks, Steve.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20- I think that's lovely.- Are you all right with that?- See you!- See you!
0:37:20 > 0:37:23I think Sam's happy with that.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Back in the garden with time running out,
0:37:25 > 0:37:30AJ is constructing a corner bench using timber off cuts from the deck.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32He's already got a pair of batons screwed to the wall,
0:37:32 > 0:37:34but he's hit a problem.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39This wall isn't solid, so I've I drilled a hole into it
0:37:39 > 0:37:43and there's nothing for a plastic plug to actually grab onto
0:37:43 > 0:37:46to make this solid, so what I'm doing is, because I know this one
0:37:46 > 0:37:50is solid, I've put two screws in there which will hold this end
0:37:50 > 0:37:54into that one there, then I've just put that there just to keep it in place.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56I'm going to measure the distance there.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58In this case, we'll just have a supporting beam on there,
0:37:58 > 0:38:00which won't look out of place.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02If you wanted to make it pretty, you could do it on the other side.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05It just depends how much spare timber you've got.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07While AJ sorts out the seat of his bench,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Danny is focusing on his plants.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12These lovely plants are called eryngiums,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14or the common name is sea holly.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16The reason it's called a sea holly
0:38:16 > 0:38:18is because it's got holly-like leaves.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Just look at these, nice and fleshy.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23The thing about this plant is that
0:38:23 > 0:38:26it's got a very long taproot in here.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29You can't see it because this is an immature plant, but on more
0:38:29 > 0:38:33mature plants, the taproot can be quite substantial.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36The reason it's got a long taproot is that it's searching out water
0:38:36 > 0:38:39and once it's searched out that water, it will hold on to it,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42so that's its mode of survival.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44It's a very clever plant, isn't it?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48What you've got to make sure, because this has got a long taproot,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51is to make sure that you know where you're going to put it
0:38:51 > 0:38:55because once it's got that taproot established, it's not to be moved.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00What you will find is that these do self seed.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Really, this garden is mimicking the seaside big-time.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Sea holly flourishes in sandy soil,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16so it will be right at home in this garden.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25There you go, a very simple corner bench...
0:39:25 > 0:39:27for two.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Now AJ can move on to fitting a sandpit for the children,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36leaving Danny to create their very own pool of water.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40So, this blue strip is going to represent the sea.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45And it's about time to add my contribution to the garden.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48SHE SINGS
0:39:48 > 0:39:54- Hi!- Hello, Helen, watch that hole. Don't go falling in it.- I love it.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- You like it, do you? Good. - Do you know what?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59When I left here this morning, I thought, "Wouldn't it be good if they had a sandpit,"
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- but you've got one. - We've got a sandpit, yeah. - I love it! I really love it.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06All day, Sam has kept saying, "Oh, I'd love some decking,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08"but it doesn't matter if we don't get any."
0:40:08 > 0:40:10I've got to be honest, I'm glad there is some decking.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12And your sea thrift's there.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Aren't these beauties? Aren't these gorgeous? Do you like them?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18I know. I do, I love them. Actually, Sam picked them,
0:40:18 > 0:40:19he was quite happy with them.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22And I've got a tree. You're going to love this. Danny.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Look at that, that is a beauty. - Thank you, what about the tree?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- And the tree!- Chosen for its loose habit.- Yes, I love it.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33What's great about that, you know, it's not going to grow too tall.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It will be easy to maintain.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- Berries in the winter, flowers in the summer.- Exactly.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40What's not to love?
0:40:40 > 0:40:43I think it's superb and it's a great choice.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47As evening approaches, it's time for the all-important finishing touches.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I'm adding a few seaside knick-knacks
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I slyly picked up on my shopping trip,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56while Danny and AJ plant the memorial tree through the decking.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Absolutely perfect.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07I can't wait for Sam to see what a difference we've made in a day.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- It looks so different. - It really, really does.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Before, this tiny back garden was a boring
0:41:16 > 0:41:19and neglected space with nothing but uneven paving,
0:41:19 > 0:41:24sad and unloved plant pots and dull, grey walls.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31But now Danny has transformed it into a bright,
0:41:31 > 0:41:35fun beach garden that the whole family can enjoy.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42With colourful walls, a safe decking area and seating options from
0:41:42 > 0:41:47where Sam and Samantha can enjoy the garden and watch the girls playing.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50But as always, the stars of the show are the plants.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53The beach theme continues with Danny's choice of sea holly,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56thrift and coastal grasses.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Plus, his ingenious creation of those planting pockets creates
0:42:00 > 0:42:04bursts of colour which in time will spread over the whole wall.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09What's more, this thoughtful, family-friendly garden was done on a shoestring,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11in just one day.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Well done, Danny!
0:42:14 > 0:42:15It's high time to get the family in
0:42:15 > 0:42:18to see what they make of this amazing transformation.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25OK, team, we have a very excited Erin
0:42:25 > 0:42:29and a slightly nervous Sam and Sam.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Come right out here. Come on out.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- Come on out.- Ah!
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- What do you reckon?- That is wicked, man. This is ridiculously good.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46- What do you think?- Yes. That is amazing, yeah.
0:42:46 > 0:42:51- Cast your mind back to this morning. Your backyard was...- Horrendous.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Just ridiculous, yeah. And now it's brilliant.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59We'll get to spend time here now. That's great.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Talk us through what you've done, Danny.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Yeah, so we just concentrated on the sea really
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- because we know you like the sea. - Yeah.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09We thought we'd bring a bit of the Barry seaside into your garden.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- You've probably noticed there's a cliff over there.- OK. Yeah.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Then the sandpit is also the beach.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19And then obviously, most beaches have a bit of decking somewhere,
0:43:19 > 0:43:20so that's your decking.
0:43:20 > 0:43:25This is your sea here and you've got plants in here that represent
0:43:25 > 0:43:31- the sort of plants you might find at the seaside. OK?- And the tree?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Oh, and not forgetting the tree, yeah.
0:43:33 > 0:43:38- That's a little memorial to your father.- Yeah.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42- What do you think, Erin? - It's lovely.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45- Do you want to come out here now?- Yeah!
0:43:45 > 0:43:48Sam, the team said you have worked so hard.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51I was so pleased with it, absolutely just over the moon with it.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54It wasn't what I was expecting, so much in one day.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Has this been better than the normal Tuesday?
0:43:57 > 0:44:01Yes, the average Tuesday isn't like this at all.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04- Good, well, thank you for your company today.- Thank you so much.
0:44:04 > 0:44:08Thank you for letting us take over your garden. Good job, Danny.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12- Yes, thank you.- You're most welcome. - Have a seat in the deckchairs.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Erin, go and make the most of that sandpit.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16- Your new garden! - See all the plants?
0:44:18 > 0:44:22This morning, this yard was unusable, it was dangerous,
0:44:22 > 0:44:24they didn't do anything out here.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29They now have a space that they can enjoy as a family for years to come.
0:44:29 > 0:44:30Good job.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34Join us next time for another instant garden.