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00:00to make garden dreams come true Charlie Dimmock, Lee Burkill, Flo
00:14Hedlum and Chris Hull are here to answer your gardening
00:22emergencies. Each week two of our designers will go
00:29head-to-head. Pick me and let's do this. The garden we're going to go with is John Brown!
00:37And whichever designer loses, the race is on, helps the winner build the garden. Good
00:47idea. Did you get that on camera? Lee said good idea Charlie. Amazing. Turning garden
00:53dreams. Open your eyes. That's so overwhelmed. Into reality. That is amazing.
01:03Today, the team are tackling a dull garden in Stockport. You're all sorted for work tonight?
01:11Yeah. It will be a warm one tonight. It will be, yeah. But it will be good to have a little
01:15stretch before work. Yeah definitely. Two years ago, firefighters Lydia and Katie moved
01:22into their first home together. We met four years ago through work because we both work
01:27for the fire service. Yeah, we met on social media. Lydia was doing a workout and I commented
01:32on that. The rest is history as they say. While they love the home they share, the garden is where
01:41they want to be. Yeah, it's nice being out in the garden when the sun's out. Outside of work,
01:48as a couple, we love being outdoors, love being active. So we go camping, walking,
01:54kayaking, anything outside really. Are you ready for this? Tell me when you get in after me. How does
02:07that feel? Refreshing. She got me the ice bath for Christmas. I started jumping in there and I've
02:13never looked back since. It just makes you feel amazing, gives you a rush. You are freezing,
02:18but afterwards you just feel so good and full of energy. With such stressful jobs, their physical
02:26and mental health are of top priority. But their current outdoor space isn't quite the sanctuary they
02:32are craving. So when we first moved in, we thought the garden wasn't actually too bad because it was
02:38just really overgrown. But then when we started cutting everything back, we realised how much work
02:43would be involved with it. So, welcome to our depressing and dull garden. The things we hate
02:52the most about it, not very nice. As you can see the gravel, stones everywhere, it gets in the house,
02:57in the tub, not very nice. Got bits of tree stumps, potholes in there, in the grass. It's very uneven.
03:07Yeah, and then there's just weeds everywhere, like this, it's never ending, they just grow back all the time.
03:12And the dreaded shed, that's one storm away from falling over. It's just a bit all over the show,
03:20it's just a bit, it makes your head a bit fuzzy. It's just uneven, unorganised and just a bit dull.
03:27Yeah, there's just no flow to it, like there's no, it's just not a positive place for us to be.
03:35But they can see the potential.
03:37It is a great size.
03:39Yeah, I mean like, it gets the sun all day, like nice sunny day today and it's all over it.
03:44So, it could be a really nice place to be.
03:51Amelia and Charlie are hoping they'll be the one to design Lydia and Katie's dream garden.
03:56So, it is quite pretty, isn't it?
03:59Yeah, it is lovely.
04:04What have we got today then, Amelia?
04:06Okay, Charlie, ready?
04:08Yeah.
04:08So, we've got Lydia and Katie.
04:10They look very smiley.
04:12Very smiley indeed.
04:13Right, go on, show us the garden.
04:15Ready to see?
04:16Okay, so, it's pretty big.
04:19It is huge!
04:20It's a bit of a blank canvas, I'd say.
04:22I mean, you've got this mature tree here, a bit of paving and not much else.
04:26And then we've got, they're definitely braver than I am because I think that's a cold plunge pool.
04:31Do you think?
04:32Shall we see what we want?
04:34Okay, let's have a look.
04:36So, we'd love a garden that focuses on well-being and mental health.
04:40That's such a lovely brief, isn't it?
04:42Well-being in the garden.
04:43We just really love if our garden could be an extension of our lives.
04:47Okay, so themes of countryside coming in there.
04:50Nice.
04:51So, we'd love a well-being area in the garden,
04:54and somewhere for the ice bath to go where we can relax in it and focus on our breath work.
05:00Then another area where we could perhaps do some stretching, meditation.
05:04I mean, it's sort of all in the same theme, isn't it?
05:07Which is interesting.
05:08Yeah.
05:09Meditation, yoga, spa.
05:11So, it's also really important to have a grassed area,
05:14somewhere for to lie down and relax together.
05:16Okay, so, chill out area.
05:18So, planting-wise, we just want to go for a bit of a natural vibe, like we're almost in a wild meadow.
05:23So, it's great they want to use meadow turf and sort of wildlife planting plants.
05:28Yeah.
05:29Because it will make the budget go further.
05:31Definitely.
05:32Because it's a big garden.
05:32What is the budget?
05:34So, Charlie, it's 4K.
05:364,000.
05:38That's, I mean, it's a big garden.
05:40Yeah.
05:40Have you got any ideas up your sleeve?
05:43I'm loving the planting scheme.
05:46Okay.
05:46I'd just like a little bit more money.
05:48I know.
05:49Wouldn't we all?
05:51Thinking cats on.
05:53Charlie and Amelia will create designs in line with the £4,000 budget.
05:59Lydia and Katie will have to pick their favourite, which the losing designer will help build.
06:05The designers and top team of landscapers provide the labour for free,
06:10leaving the entire budget to spend on materials and plants.
06:17Right, let's watch the designs.
06:19Lydia, Katie kept the design very simple, which will help with the calmness.
06:25So, we've got a brand new patio.
06:27Can you imagine sitting there having a coffee in the morning?
06:30And then a new lawn that sort of draws your eye down the garden, which will make the garden feel
06:37even longer.
06:38I like that you can see out of the window all the way down to the end of the garden.
06:43Amelia has also incorporated a simple patio area to replace the annoying existing gravel.
06:49The stones have gone.
06:50Yeah.
06:51Amazing.
06:51So, as soon as you come out, you'll have a new seating area and a collection of different terracotta pots.
06:59And those will have lots of lovely, aromatic, strong-smelling herbs and plants like rosemary, lavender and thyme.
07:07Oh, wow.
07:08Both designers have found a new home for Katie's beloved ice bath.
07:13Coming off the patio, we've got pathway stepping stones around to your plunge pool.
07:21I can do my hopscotch back to warm myself up on the way back from my tub.
07:24We've got this very modern-feeling screen that goes round it, so you've got a bit of privacy.
07:31Yeah, it's hidden there.
07:32I like that, yeah.
07:33And as you get in and out, we've got chamomile sort of dotted through and lavender, all lovely,
07:40calming scents that will help you chill.
07:42Be calm.
07:43Yeah, definitely.
07:46You're both braver than I am, and I have included the cold plunge tub in the design.
07:51Nice and secluded.
07:53Still got the privacy around.
07:55I've cleverly hidden it in this section over here behind a new low timber screen.
08:00And that timber screen will be nestled in and amongst lots of gorgeous, verdant, wispy, naturalistic planting.
08:07Yeah, all the planting around it looks really nice because you can't even tell that it's there.
08:11Yeah, I like that.
08:13The midsection of the garden is where the two designs differ.
08:17You come round the stepping stones and into this lawn area, so this is the garden within the garden.
08:25Again, with these screens that will match the one that's round your plunge pool, some lavender hedging
08:31here, and then we've got meadow turf round here.
08:34Like a secret garden.
08:35Yeah.
08:36As you move through the space, you'll be surrounded by taller, really perennial, naturalistic planting,
08:44and that will take the form of different grasses like Miscanthus and Steepa tenesima,
08:50Verbena benariensis, and low-growing thyme as well.
08:54I really like those stepping stones. They're like natural, aren't they? They're just blending.
09:00Yeah.
09:00So when you're stepping over them, you really do feel that the planting is all around you.
09:05I've also included this timber sleeper bench, which will be nestled in amongst the planting on
09:11the right-hand side.
09:12That would be really nice.
09:13Finally, a place to unwind and welcome in some wildlife at the bottom of the garden.
09:20So you can set your barbecue up for when your friends come round.
09:24There you go, you get a barbecue.
09:26And I'm going to plant up the back and around here with lots of native sort of plants that will
09:31encourage the wildlife into the garden. So lots of oxide daisies in amongst the meadow tower.
09:37Pretty flowers as well.
09:39As you get to this section down here, you'll have this small, reclaimed circular trough.
09:47Now, if you do fancy a spot of yoga or meditation or just reading, that's really a space to do all
09:54of those activities. And I've also proposed this really lovely multi-stem amelanchia lamarchii tree
10:02to go in this corner here. And they have gorgeous, tiny white flowers in spring.
10:07Like that seasonally changes.
10:08Yeah.
10:08I really hope, Lydia and Katie, that you love this design and can see that it's got loads
10:14of amazing elements to improve your wellbeing. So I hope you choose me.
10:18Ticked off everything on the brief, really, that one.
10:21100%, yeah.
10:21So that's my design. It's full of lots of scent, calm and relaxing areas. So you can chill and maybe do a
10:30bit of yoga, a bit of sunbathing and a little bit of socialising.
10:35Wow, love both of them. That's going to be a really tough decision to decide.
10:39Yeah, they were both amazing. I'm just waiting some time to think.
10:45I think they both achieved the brief and fitted in quite a lot, because we've still got the grass
10:50sections on Charlie's and obviously a large section there on Amelia's.
10:54Yeah.
10:54I like how it's obviously we managed to get decking on both.
10:58On this one as well, on Charlie's, I think, I think those areas will be bigger than you think.
11:02Yeah, I definitely like that. So on this bit down here on Amelia's, that's where all the stepping
11:07stones are and they're like naturally hidden within the planting.
11:11Yeah, on Charlie's, this is like just a nice long rest area, which is also very nice. Both give us
11:17amazing, really good designs. I just don't know how we're going to choose.
11:25Hi, Charlie and Amelia. It's Lydia and Katie here. Thank you so much for your designs. We loved them
11:31both. They both had positive points. The best bits we liked about Charlie's was we could see right to
11:35the end of the garden. I love the feature of the cold punch pool in its own little section.
11:41So I made like a spa screened off area. Very nice. Amelia, I feel like you really hit the brief as well.
11:47We loved the big decking area at the end of the garden. Oh, so you were big on the seating areas?
11:54I did, yeah. I think that was a priority for them. So, drum roll please. We have decided to go for...
12:02Amelia. Amelia. Oh, wow. Well done. Oh, thank you, Charlie. I loved your design as well, though.
12:12I have to say, they said it was all about well-being, but I think they're party girls, really.
12:16Ah, what do you reckon? At the end of the garden gets all the sun,
12:19and they're going to be up there with all their mates partying. You might be on something there, Charlie.
12:23Ben and his landscaping team have got two days to turn Amelia's design into reality.
12:34Come on in, team. So, we are in sunny Stockport. Let's break down the garden as it is. Lawn
12:43through the middle, not very nice at the moment, so I'm thinking we're taking all of it up. We're
12:48going to rip out all the borders, all the lawn, get this bit of paving up, all the path. Shed's got to
12:55come down. At the house, we have some lovely smooth sandstone going in there, Andy. So, me and you on
13:01that, and Monty, you like mixing, don't you? Sounds lovely. Yeah. And just in there, we have Lydia and
13:07Katie's plunge pool to go in. At the top of the stepping stones, we have two decked areas next to each
13:14other, but one lower down seems simple enough, but there is a lot to do. Shall we crack on with it?
13:21Let's get it done. First task of the day is to dismantle the dilapidated old shed.
13:28Come on in, Jay. This is coming out, is it? It has to, yeah.
13:38Before the digger can be brought in, the team needs to remove the tree stumps and borders and all the
13:43random bits of old concrete. So, here we're just removing a section of the shed base. This is where
13:49the shed was, and the bit that's remaining that we've left in place is going to form part of the
13:54subframe for the deck. With 30 square metres of garden to dig over, reinforcements are going in.
14:02Your backside looks good. Does it? Yeah, you're through.
14:04You're beautiful, beautiful.
14:11So, we're a little bit behind as usual, but we're going to get all this earth dug out. Hopefully,
14:17if it's good soil, we'll use it in the garden, and then we'll get the patio stoned up, get it
14:21whacking and have to start laying. So, we'll go.
14:35Next, the team start on the patio directly outside of the house,
14:39laying the membrane and compacting the gravel ready for the tiles.
14:43This is my first slab. I'm going to do a nice L-shaped cut around the step. Now,
14:50I could just coach a rectangle fit in there, but then it throws the lines of my slabs out,
14:56because I want them to wrap around the corner of the house perfectly. So, it's worth doing that
15:01extra little bit of work there to make it slightly easier later on in the build.
15:05Meanwhile, at the back of the garden, Lee's making a start on the main deck.
15:14Once this is in, this is going to determine how big a lower deck is going to be. It's going to be
15:18more of a bistro area that is down there with staggered ends, so it goes around that cherry tree.
15:30This is the yoga zone. By the time we and Jamie have finished, we'll need some sort of stretching to
15:35for sure. Sort of yourself out, especially working in this heat.
15:38Yeah, bit of downward dog. How about that? More like falling asleep downwards.
15:44With the main deck complete, it's time to add on the frame for the second decked area.
15:51This lower decking that we're doing here is more of like a chill out kind of relaxing area,
15:56where they can just have a nice coffee underneath the cherry tree in a nice morning and relax really.
16:02That's twice a year then. Yeah.
16:04Yeah. With day one of the build drawing to an end, the patio is close to being ticked off.
16:10I think. I don't like it, that is it.
16:15But before they wrap up for the day, the team have an invitation from Katie to try out her ice-cold plunge pool.
16:23That's our day done. Oh, well done. We have a little punishment stroke reward. We're going to do it.
16:31Rock, paper, scissors. Last one standing, basically. You ready?
16:35What? One, two.
16:36One, two.
16:38Wow. One, two.
16:40One, two.
16:42Oh!
16:43Oh!
16:45Yeah, well done.
16:46One, two.
16:47That is chilly.
16:50All that's needed now is a fresh refill on the plunge pool and two designers to help get this garden in shape.
16:56The following morning, Charlie and Amelia are in early to try and get ahead.
17:05So, this is a bit different.
17:07Yeah, it is.
17:07We're going to rescue their garden when they normally rescue us.
17:10I know. We've done a bit of a switch around today.
17:11Yeah.
17:13Oh, wow. This is looking a bit different, isn't it?
17:16It is. I mean, because this was a bit of a bear of a garden, wasn't it?
17:19It was.
17:20I think I am feeling a bit ill and sort of...
17:23Don't know where to begin.
17:24Right. What do you want me to do?
17:25Well, I think, Charlie, if you can tackle this section here with the stepping stones
17:31and the sort of spa area with the plunge pool, I can focus on our yoga, meditation, zen area.
17:38Amelia's design is all about well-being,
17:41beginning with a large decked area at the rear of the garden in place of the old shed.
17:47What I've created is a raised yoga meditation deck, and that'll be somewhere just to relax
17:53on a weekend, really recharge, reconnect with each other.
17:57And then next to that section here, we've got this separate raised deck.
18:02So that's more of a drinks area, quite informal relaxation space.
18:06And now on your well-being journey as you move through the garden,
18:11this zone is sort of about a journey through nature.
18:14So we've got stepping stones, which will be dotted in and amongst some lovely billowing planting.
18:20We then come to what I think is the bravest section of the garden, which is the cold plunge pool.
18:26Lydia and Katie, I take my hat off to you, because I would not be getting in that.
18:30But that is going to be sat here, surrounded with gorgeous, billowing planting again.
18:36Before, it was sort of sat kind of awkwardly near the house.
18:40And this way, it's much more integrated within the space.
18:43So the team's done an amazing job so far, I have to say.
18:46It's a big job and they've really tackled it well.
18:49But there is a lot to be getting on with, so I best crack on.
18:57First on Amelia's list is to check on her bespoke decking.
19:01All right, guys, how's it going?
19:03Going great. Great guns at the minute.
19:05Yeah, it's looking really nice, isn't it?
19:07So really good stuff.
19:08I'm happy with the staggers we've put on there.
19:09Yeah, I think that's going to work really nicely, because we've got bits of planting
19:13to sort of intersect with the decking. So over time, when that's all grown in,
19:17it will feel nice and sort of nestled within the planting beds. So good stuff.
19:23Meanwhile, Charlie's making a start on the stepping stones that will lead
19:27from the new cold plunge pool down to the raised decking at the rear.
19:32Andy. Hello. Hello.
19:35Let's have a look.
19:36So we've got these pre-formed stepping stones, which are nice and I really love them.
19:42So that's a sandstone, yes? Indian sandstone.
19:45But we've only got, I don't think we've got enough,
19:48because I don't want the stepping stones to be so far apart that it's difficult.
19:52Yeah, the only thing we could do, we've got this sandstone,
19:56we've got the big slabs. Right.
19:57Can we not make some bigger ones out of them?
20:00Is that the royal we?
20:01Well, me then. Yeah.
20:02And don't we put that there, and then me or you get a pencil and we just do a bigger...
20:10Me? Right, yeah, okay. Okay.
20:12I mean, we just sort of copy that. Okay, that seems like a plan. Yeah.
20:17With the stepping stones underway, the team are busy prepping the soil for the new grass to be laid.
20:32And Charlie's keen to get cracking on another of Amelia's design specs.
20:36Thanks. Now, I really love the screen to be movable.
20:41So I'm thinking, you know, like when you go to the beach and you have a windbreaker.
20:45Yeah, yeah.
20:45Do that, but like a wooden version.
20:47A wooden version of it, yeah.
20:48Yeah. What about, I mean, we've got these four by four posts.
20:51Right.
20:52So if we put them in the corners, so it makes it stable.
20:55Yeah.
20:55And then we can come off it with, we've got some offcuts of deck board.
20:59We've got some offcuts of 6x2.
21:01So it could be quite an eclectic, sort of arty screen.
21:06Yeah, with some odd gap in it or something.
21:07Okay, that's great.
21:09What sort of height, do you think?
21:11Well, that's got to be that high.
21:12Because it's a bit of privacy, but to be honest, I mean, this is not a thing of beauty.
21:16It's just to screen this, isn't it?
21:17Screen this, really, yeah.
21:19You can see over it.
21:20Yeah.
21:20That's what a little shelf was.
21:21Let's put the beer on.
21:22Is that defeating the object?
21:23I think that is defeating the object.
21:25You think?
21:25They can put their freshly squeezed cranberry juice on it.
21:28Whatever floats your boat, I suppose.
21:31Whilst Leigh makes a start on the cold plunge frame out front,
21:35Amelia's plants have arrived and she's keen to get a first peek.
21:39Wow, look at that.
21:41Look at them.
21:42That is gorgeous.
21:44Frothy, whimsical.
21:46Yeah.
21:46It makes you go, ah, a deep breath.
21:52This colour palette is really, Charlie, all about creating a sense of well-being and tranquility.
21:58So, lots of soft purples, whites and pinks.
22:02Yeah.
22:02Look at these gorgeous scabiosa here.
22:04Yeah.
22:05You know, we didn't want to pick anything that was going to be too high maintenance, too fussy,
22:10you know, things that will just do well year after year.
22:12Yeah, so what we call the doers.
22:15Exactly.
22:15They just get on and do what they're meant to do.
22:16Like this beguinea here.
22:17Beguinea, yeah.
22:18Yeah.
22:18I mean, it's fantastic.
22:19And I, you know, the contrast of the leaves with the more frothy stuff.
22:23Absolutely.
22:23And grasses, I love the grasses.
22:26They are gorgeous.
22:27And what I love about these sort of grasses is that they create that sort of rustling effect
22:31in the wind, which is just so relaxing.
22:36Look at this anemone.
22:37I mean, that is just a whopper, isn't it?
22:40I love these plants because they're so good in the garden.
22:43They're reliable.
22:44They're brilliant for late summer colour as well.
22:47When everything else is looking a little bit drab.
22:49Yeah.
22:49That's a lovely little pop of colour.
22:51You can get them in pink as well.
22:52Going full on sensory, aren't you?
22:54Absolutely.
22:54You've got the colour, you've got the scent, and then you've got the sound.
22:58It's all about the zen.
22:59Yeah, it's going to be gorgeous.
23:01Gorgeous!
23:01With the groundwork in full swing, Charlie's cracking on with Amelia's plans for the perimeter fencing.
23:16So Amelia wants us to put wires up for climbers.
23:20So basically, we're future-proofing, so the wires are already in there.
23:24We've got a few climbers, but once the wires are in, they can train it all the way down.
23:30And on the other side as well.
23:32Now, it's great that these concrete posts are here because the wires will be slightly off the fence.
23:38So if you're putting up wires for climbers, you want to set off the eyelets away from the fence
23:45so that the plants can get behind the wires and then they can support themselves much more readily.
23:51I've obviously upset the neighbour's dog.
23:53We get worse when I start drilling.
23:55Charlie drills the holes for the eyelets before attaching the tension device.
24:03So that's my tensioner.
24:05This is my wire.
24:06I'm going to thread the wire through the eyelets and then tie it off with some special clips.
24:11It's a case of just working methodically.
24:14There we go, almost there.
24:22All right, there we go, boing, boing.
24:25Amelia's making some on-the-spot adjustments to her plans for a small feature tree.
24:32The amelanchia was going to be in that corner over there, but actually we've moved it to this
24:37spot here because that way when you're relaxing, doing your yoga on this deck here, it's going to be much more of a focal point.
24:45Elsewhere, Amelia's design has moved the cold plunge pool to a slightly more central space in the garden.
24:53Sort of central with the window in a way.
24:55OK, and then we'll have the screen round.
24:57Yep, which is going to make it a lot more usable.
25:01Yeah, because they can literally plunge into it.
25:03They can plunge in, exactly.
25:05Brave souls.
25:05Braver than I am.
25:06Yeah.
25:07How are you going over there in your bit?
25:09Well, not too bad, I think.
25:11The sort of yoga area's coming together quite nicely.
25:14Yeah, so much preparation, but that's going to be so key for the garden.
25:19A hundred percent.
25:19It's a key area and zone in the space.
25:28This is looking really nice.
25:29We're getting there now, it's finally starting to take shape at last.
25:33Yeah, definitely.
25:34And I think it's just going to really make that cold plunge pool more of a chic feature in the garden,
25:40isn't it, rather than drawing your attention to the sort of black plastic.
25:45I think this is really smart.
25:46It's not the most attractive thing, is it?
25:48It's not, but you know, now it's really becoming part of the garden.
25:53The team are levelling the ground where the plunge pool will sit on rubber matting.
25:57It's quite levelled, do you have it?
25:59That's it, yeah.
26:00Yeah, ready for that plunge pool?
26:02Yeah.
26:02There we go.
26:03Oh!
26:04Oh, what happened?
26:06Step back, I'm sorry.
26:08I'm going to take it from there, I'm afraid.
26:13So I'm just laying this sand ready for the rubber matting, trying to get it as level as I can,
26:17really, so that when the plunge pool goes on, it's nice and even. That's it.
26:26You ready?
26:27Yeah.
26:29With the cold plunge pool in place, Charlie can finally start placing out the stepping stones.
26:35Okay, so not too far apart.
26:36Oh, you've got the medium side.
26:38Medium.
26:39Yeah.
26:39There.
26:40Like dinosaur prints.
26:42Yeah, you were around then, weren't you?
26:44Hot.
26:47Looking great.
26:48Do you want a stepping stone up onto the deck?
26:50Well, I don't because what I want Lydia and Katie to be able to do is to really journey through the space.
26:57They've got to take the long route to get there.
26:59So it's the...
27:00It's all about wellbeing, mindfulness.
27:02Slowing down to get down before you do your yoga and your meditation.
27:07And also, we've got planting going in through it, haven't we?
27:10So we don't want too much.
27:16Meanwhile, Lee started on Amelia's contemplation seat design.
27:21That's the last water sand in there, so it's just a matter of assembly.
27:24It's looking really smart already, actually.
27:27I can see it coming together.
27:28Nice and chunky and sturdy.
27:29So we're most looking forward to loads of aspects.
27:33But for me, it's going to be just having some time together when it's a nice day.
27:38And just being able to go out and sit together and just have a chat, have a coffee.
27:42Just for it to be relaxing.
27:43Like, at the minute we sort of go out there, it's not a relaxing place.
27:48We want it to be like an extension of the house.
27:50We'll probably, if it's a nice area and we feel positive there,
27:54we'll probably spend more time in the garden than we actually do in the house.
27:57Sort of in. It's not levelled yet, but just so you've got an idea of position.
28:00Brilliant. Great.
28:01Have a seat. See what you think.
28:03I'm going to give it a test, Lee.
28:06Yeah, that passed the test. Yeah, that's pretty comfortable.
28:16The team are halfway through the day,
28:18and Amelia's planting a new tree next to her bespoke decking.
28:22OK, so I'm just planting up this Amelanchia lamarchii now.
28:27And it's a really lovely, what I would call, small tree or a big shrub.
28:32And it's deciduous, so that means it will lose its leaves in the winter.
28:36But what you do get is a really lovely seasonality to it.
28:40So you get gorgeous, vibrant orange leaves in the autumn,
28:44small little white flowers and berries in the spring, which the birds love.
28:48And I think most importantly about this tree, it's not going to get too big.
28:55So I think it's the perfect tree to go next to this yoga and meditation deck here,
29:00because it's going to give you a really nice amount of coverage
29:03and dappled shade over time, but it's not going to get too unruly.
29:10Lee's putting his plunge pool frame in its new home.
29:13Brilliant!
29:15That's why we have gaps underneath it, so when you drain it, it'll drain out.
29:18Get the water on the plants!
29:20There you go.
29:20You saw about this, didn't you?
29:22It's a wonderful job less to do in the garden, isn't it?
29:23Right, Amelia.
29:24Yeah.
29:25You can start filling that up.
29:27And then I'll jump in.
29:27Get your shoes and socks off and jump in.
29:29Perfect.
29:32Charlie's planting up the plunge pool borders with some perennials.
29:37So this is an astilby.
29:38Now, there's loads of different astilbies.
29:40You've got white, you've got pale pink, dark pink, red.
29:44They all have a ferny-like leaf, so it picks up the other leaves
29:48that have got that ferny feel to them.
29:50Sometimes they're tinted with a bit of red colour to them,
29:54which Amelia's sort of picked up with the other plants,
29:57and that just carries the theme through.
30:00Now, I love this one because it's white and it's sort of quite sparse and open,
30:05but you also get ones that have got quite a dense, thick plume.
30:08So like the pink ones over there that are dotted around the garden.
30:12Again, great for bees and butterflies and wildlife.
30:16Likes a moisture-retentive soil.
30:19And here, because Katie and Lydia will be emptying out
30:25the plunge pool fairly regularly and refilling it,
30:29the soil will stay nice and moist, so they will get watered in.
30:33They will do full sunshine as long as the soil is moisture-retentive.
30:37Otherwise, put them in a slightly shadier bit.
30:39And I've just noticed, I wonder what was biting me.
30:43It's a great big stinging nettle.
30:45What do they say?
30:46Grass the stinging nettle hard and quick and then it won't sting you.
30:53See, big stinging nettle.
30:54Get out before all those roots take off.
30:56So I'm just placing plants at the moment.
31:03And this is the really exciting bit that I love,
31:05because it's when the garden starts to come to life.
31:08And this here is a gorgeous Vibina bonariensis.
31:12And I think it's a bit of a garden favourite, to be honest.
31:16It's tall, it's impactful, pollinators love it.
31:20So it's going to draw the wildlife into the garden.
31:24And again, it's sort of got that billowing, whimsical theme to it.
31:29And I find it really relaxing to look at.
31:31So I hope Lydia and Katie find it that way too.
31:39Just digging the hole for this amazing plant here.
31:43It is Eupatorium, or common names, Hemp agrimony, or my favourite, Joe's pieweed.
31:50I love a fun common name.
31:52And it's gorgeous.
31:53As you can see, it gets to a metre, a metre and a half tall.
31:57It's herbaceous, so it dies down every year and then comes back up.
32:01And it's got these lovely dark red stems, which contrast with the leaves,
32:06the lancelate leaves, that are sort of in circles around, in tiers around the stem.
32:13And then at the very top, you get this dome of pink flowers.
32:17They're daisy flowers because it's related to the aster.
32:21So a dome of pink flowers, which the butterflies and bees absolutely love.
32:27Now, some people say it's a bit of a thug and can take over.
32:31No, it's okay.
32:33You just need to just keep on top of it.
32:35And once the flowers have gone over and it's starting to set the seed,
32:40tip them out because you don't want the seed sort of spreading everywhere.
32:44And the other thing is to split them through occasionally,
32:47just to keep that young sort of growth and vibrant, vigorous growth.
32:52But I think it's absolutely gorgeous.
32:54It's going to get a lovely backdrop.
32:57Look at that.
32:58And we've got them dotted around the garden.
33:00Amelia's sort of arranged the plants so you've got these drifts of colour.
33:04So we've got one here, one there.
33:06And then there's one right down the back under the cherry tree.
33:09So you get this sort of naturalistic sort of colour flow down the garden.
33:14And look at that, I can imagine Katie sat in there and seeing the seed head.
33:23It looks gorgeous.
33:31There's just enough time to roll out the new grass and address the pots for the patio area.
33:36Right, so I'm just planting up the last bit of planting now, which are these aromatic, soothing herb pots.
33:44Now, that is part of the patio area here.
33:47So when Lydia and Katie come out, they'll be greeted with a lovely aroma of herbs.
33:52We've got quite a big selection here.
33:54And herbs are great for growing in pots as well, because you can just pop out from the kitchen,
33:59use the ones that you want to in cooking, and they're sort of there and ready to go.
34:03So we've got this gorgeous rosemary here, which is just so lovely and heady, that smell.
34:09Really gorgeous.
34:11That will get, you know, reasonably big.
34:13So I'll probably plant that with one other thing in this pot, give a bit of room to spread out.
34:18We've got some really nice lemon verbena here, which is just perfect for making a relaxing tea.
34:25So I pick five or so leaves off of that, put it in boiling water, and that is a very relaxing cup of tea.
34:33We've also got some purple sage here, which is a normal sage, but these gorgeous purpley leaves.
34:41And they have a slightly sort of iridescent, fuzzy feel to them.
34:45So really textural and really coming into that sensory idea in the planting.
34:51So that's really lovely.
34:52We've also got some buddlier mint, some ginger mint, and also for those of us at home that like cooking, oregano.
35:01Brilliant herb.
35:02And it's really ornamental as well, because you've got this type here with these gorgeous little pink flowers.
35:08So I'm hoping that Lydia and Katie feel very greeted by a vast array of gorgeous smells when they come onto their new patio.
35:19As the garden enters its final stages, the last of the flowers go in.
35:24The garden looks so different.
35:27Amelia adds the essentials to the chilled space.
35:30Wow, what a lovely, relaxing area for a spot of yoga.
35:36And the birdbath completes the design.
35:39Nice place for them to sort of wash their feathers.
35:43Yeah, to have a little splash around.
35:45Absolutely, a little splash.
35:46Hop up in the tree, down.
35:47Exactly.
35:53So are you happy with the garden?
35:54I am, Charlie. I'm really delighted with it, actually.
35:56It just looks fantastic. I mean, so different from what it was.
36:00It was a bit of a mud berth earlier, wasn't it?
36:03Yeah, yes.
36:04It's come a long way.
36:05It has. It's going to be fantastic for them.
36:08I hope they like it too.
36:09And this area, it really works with that.
36:12I love this bit that you've got to go up and in, and then when they're doing the yoga, they'll just be looking through the palms.
36:17Absolutely. And I think it does make you slow down, doesn't it?
36:21It does.
36:21You can't take the quick, easy route. You've got to take the longer, meandering route through the garden.
36:25Everybody's going to be happy. Their cat's going to be happy.
36:28The birds and the bees and butterflies are going to be happy.
36:31We're all happy.
36:32Yeah. Shall we get them out?
36:33Because I think they are going to be overwhelmed.
36:35Oh, I hope so.
36:39Two days ago, Lydia and Katie's garden was a bare and depressing space, which they avoided spending any time in, apart from a quick sprint out to their beloved ice bath.
36:50Now, with a budget of £4,000, it's been transformed into a tranquil sanctuary, bursting with aromatic plants, wildflowers, and an abundance of chill-out space.
37:05So, I'm just going to lead you over here.
37:07But, will it be all that they wished for?
37:10So, Lydia and Katie, you wanted a garden that was all about mental wellbeing, and sort of recharging, reconnecting in nature, and really just having somewhere to relax at the end of a long, strenuous day.
37:25So, are you ready to open your eyes?
37:27Yes.
37:27Yeah.
37:28Okay, and go for it.
37:32Wow.
37:33That is amazing.
37:35We've got a garden.
37:37Have you done that?
37:40I don't even know what to say.
37:41My first time in my life, I've been speechless, so.
37:46Overwhelmed.
37:47Don't know what's going on.
37:48They don't know where to look.
37:51I'm actually enjoying it.
37:52I don't even know what to say.
37:53Oh, thank you, Sue.
37:54Oh, you're so welcome.
37:55Oh, it's amazing.
37:56I'm so pleased you like it.
37:58Before, a dishevelled, graveled area was uncomfortable underfoot.
38:03Now, a smooth-laid patio is the gateway to their new space.
38:07So, you've got your new patio here.
38:09Oh, there's no stones, there's no gravel.
38:10The gravel's gone.
38:12Nice and, yeah.
38:13You've got some really nice, aromatic herbs here.
38:16I'm so excited, I love it.
38:17I just love it so much.
38:20So, when you're walking down to the end of the garden, hopefully you'll feel really immersed
38:24in nature and planting and wildlife.
38:27I want to draw your attention to this cold plunge pool, which hopefully feels a bit more integrated
38:33within the garden now.
38:35Yeah, looks amazing.
38:37Previously, their ice bath was plunked in the middle of an empty space.
38:42Now, it's transformed into a featured well-being spot for them to easily step into.
38:48You're both very brave getting in that thing, honestly.
38:51Tomorrow morning, before work.
38:52You'll be straight in.
38:53First dip, yeah.
38:54Yeah, fantastic.
38:55Come out in the morning, cup of tea, cup of coffee, chill, go to the plunge pool.
39:01So, this is our walking through nature zone here.
39:04So, we've got these really playful little stepping stones, which the cat's already using,
39:09I can see.
39:10Once, the lawn area felt sparse and gloomy.
39:14Now, it's evolved into a stepping stone-clad oasis of wildflowers.
39:19The idea is that you just meander through nature, take in all the sort of wispy, whimsical planting,
39:25and I hope feel really relaxed when you're doing that.
39:28We've actually got colour.
39:30You've got some colour now.
39:31You've got some soft blues and pinks.
39:34Oh, look.
39:34Notice anything major that's gone in the garden?
39:39The shed.
39:39The shed.
39:40The dreaded shed has gone, yes.
39:43And it has been replaced with this lovely new area here.
39:46Gone is the dilapidated old shed at the back of the garden,
39:51replaced by a raised deck with idyllic views, taking in their new space.
39:56Getting rid of that shed.
39:59Taking the liberty of putting out the yoga mats.
40:01No pressure.
40:03Yeah, I don't want to, you know, suggest anything there,
40:05but I think it just works really beautifully for a spot of yoga.
40:08It's an amazing area.
40:09Yeah.
40:09I love it so much.
40:10And the sun's still there as well.
40:12Yeah, it is, yeah.
40:12It's huge.
40:14It actually feels so much proper space now that you can use, definitely.
40:18Yeah, yeah.
40:19And actually, this amelanchia over here will eventually get bigger
40:24and provide you a little bit more shade and dappled light when you're doing a bit of yoga.
40:28It's amazing.
40:29I just, I don't want to go back inside.
40:30Have you seen the smile on our faces?
40:32It's like, that says it all, doesn't it?
40:34We're so happy.
40:35Honestly, we, yeah, it's...
40:37It's amazing.
40:37Unreal.
40:38Unreal.
40:38It's amazing.
40:40I can see that Katie and Lydia will be outside more than inside.
40:49This is your sort of chill-out bench here, and the idea is that you're kind of nestled by all
40:56of the planting, so you should feel really safe and cocooned there.
40:59Do you want to give it a quick test run?
41:02Yeah, show you.
41:02All right?
41:03It's very comfortable.
41:04I have tried it already.
41:06I feel happy being out here for a change.
41:08Oh, that's amazing.
41:09All these plants and greenery.
41:12Yeah, they might tickle you a little bit.
41:14It is welcomed after the garden we've had that.
41:16I'm just, I'm happy.
41:17You can just drape yourself in the leaves.
41:19I'm immersing myself.
41:21It's a new accessory.
41:21I'm new in there.
41:22Yeah.
41:22So, obviously, I didn't actually do all of this by myself.
41:27I did have a little bit of help.
41:29Okay, Charlie, do you want to come out?
41:32I have to say, oh, my goodness, you two, when you walked out, you look like Cheshire cats.
41:38Yeah, definitely.
41:40What a fantastic garden.
41:41Amazing.
41:41Do you love it?
41:42Unreal.
41:42Yeah.
41:42Oh, thank you so much.
41:43She did well, didn't she?
41:45As did Charlie.
41:46As did Charlie.
41:46Nailed it right.
41:47I mean, I just love it.
41:49Although, I have to say, I was watching you and you looked like a child that wanted to
41:52run around and see everything really quickly.
41:54I think we'll never change.
41:56I'm just so excited and so happy and grateful.
41:58So, has it all been worth it?
42:00One million percent.
42:02Yes, yes, yes.
42:03Yeah, definitely.
42:04Definitely.
42:05Can't thank you enough.
42:06And, like, everyone for all the hard work.
42:08It's been amazing.
42:09Enjoy.
42:11Are you going to show us some yoga moves?
42:13Uh, well, you...
42:14I think that's a no.
42:15Yeah.
42:16You're going to leave, you leave by example.
42:18Oh, yeah.
42:19I'll do the cold gloves.
42:20We'll do the yoga.
42:21So fun.
42:21Old lady yoga moves.
42:30On the first day of Pandora eyes, we just couldn't believe that the garden looked as it did.
42:36In my wildest dreams, I've pictured what I've just seen.
42:39We just can't wait to invite our friends around after a busy day at work.
42:43We're outdoorsy people.
42:45We just can't wait to chill in the garden and just enjoy this space.
42:49Yeah, we definitely can't.
42:51I'm sure we're going to be the most popular on the fire station, inundated with barbecue requests,
42:56and the Irish VPs are going to be coming in thick and fast, I think, do you?
43:01Get your name on the guest list.
43:02Yeah.
43:03Name's knocked down, not coming in.
43:05Haha.
43:06Alright, give theなんse a little while.
43:10I'll see you next time.
43:14Bye.
43:14Bye.
43:15Bye.
43:17Bye.
43:17Bye.
43:20Bye.
43:23Bye.
43:23Bye.
43:24Bye.
43:27Bye.
43:27Bye.
43:28Bye.
43:29Bye.
43:29Bye.
43:29Bye.
43:29Bye.
43:30Bye.
43:31Bye.
43:33Bye.
43:35Amen.
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