- 6 hours ago
Garden Rescue - Season 11 Episode 4 - Leicester
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The Garden Rescue Team are back.
00:03Hallelujah!
00:05This time Lee...
00:06He and Eve.
00:07He and Eve.
00:08Charlie...
00:09Busy, busy little bee.
00:11Chris...
00:11Sometimes you need to go old school.
00:13And Flo...
00:15Hello!
00:15...will be joined by four familiar faces from the gardening world.
00:19OK, let's gallop on then.
00:21Go on then.
00:21Yee-haw!
00:22Joe...
00:23Team Garden Rescue.
00:25Sue...
00:25We've got a little vignette of pots.
00:28Dermot...
00:29I think I've been accepted into the gap.
00:31...and Francis...
00:32You just can't beat a cherry tree.
00:34...in each garden, two of our designers will go head to head.
00:37We've decided to go for...
00:40Flo's design!
00:42Yes!
00:43Come on!
00:44...and the winning designer...
00:45Does that make me the boss?
00:47...gets a helping hand from the runner-up.
00:50Stop pulling!
00:51It's garden war!
00:52That is fantastic!
00:54...turning garden dreams into reality.
00:58Open your eyes!
00:59Oh!
01:00Oh, my God!
01:01That is incredible!
01:02Oh, my God!
01:04This is gorgeous!
01:06This is our garden!
01:10This is our garden!
01:13Today, the team are in the Leicestershire town of Ashby de la Zouche, helping a new
01:18family with their new-build garden.
01:21What do you fancy in your salad?
01:23Maybe some tomatoes?
01:24My name's Claudia, I'm 28.
01:27I'm Hector, also 28.
01:29And we live in Ashby de la Zouche.
01:30So, we met almost nine years ago at university during Freshers' Week down at Bristol University.
01:37Love at first sight.
01:39Not quite!
01:42Almost ten years later, they're now married and a family of three.
01:46So, five weeks ago, I gave birth to my first son, Arthur.
01:51Arthur's actually been a very good sleeper.
01:53He's spoilt us, I think.
01:55Does it go downhill from here?
01:57We don't know.
01:58And on top of having a relaxed attitude, Arthur gets to inherit some Cypriot heritage.
02:03Oh, wow.
02:05What's he cooking there?
02:06Cidor.
02:07I think that's lamb and potatoes.
02:08Wow.
02:09I was born in the UK.
02:10My dad, however, is from Cyprus.
02:12Look at that.
02:13Got many fond memories of visiting family over there.
02:17In particular, my grandfather has an orchard and got really great memories of me and my
02:21brother and sister running around there as a child.
02:23He used to say he grew the best grapes in the world.
02:26The largest.
02:26Look at those.
02:28However, their pear garden is far from a Mediterranean vineyard.
02:32So, here it is, our blank canvas new build garden.
02:36It's just a little bit too plain, isn't it?
02:39Yeah.
02:40Apart from playing with our dog Lilo, we don't really want to be outside.
02:44In this garden, it is literally just a toilet.
02:49So, one of the things we don't like about our garden is this spot here behind the garage.
02:56It has got this really strange slopiness to it, which just makes it even more awkward.
03:00And difficult to mow.
03:03So, when we bought the house, one of the things that appealed to us was this wall that runs
03:08around the garden, but it's very bare, we don't know what to do with it and needs softening up.
03:14The grass is also a nightmare to mow because it is just so lumpy.
03:19Potholes, I call them.
03:22But there are the first shoots of the couple's green fingers.
03:26We've got our olive tree, which is waiting for some Mediterranean friends.
03:29And this year's attempt of growing some veg.
03:32Two cucumbers and two courgettes.
03:34But our dog Lilo has stolen the tags off two of them, so we don't know which is which.
03:41Having our garden sorted out would really change our lives.
03:44You want to just be able to have your own space outside where you can just sort of relax at
03:48the end of the day.
03:49And I think that's important for both of us.
03:51Yeah.
03:51I think it was giving us a really nice outdoor space for us as a family to spend quality time
03:55in.
04:00Bringing their expertise, our resident garden rescue designer, Chris Hull.
04:05Look at these.
04:07I love it.
04:07I love the bold, bright colors.
04:10And with her wild, sustainable style, Frances Tophill.
04:17Right.
04:18OK.
04:18Chris, we have Hector and Claudia and a growing family.
04:23Very exciting.
04:24What's that?
04:24And a dog, of course.
04:25Oh, yes.
04:26Now you're talking.
04:28Let's see what the garden's like.
04:29Go on, then.
04:30Show me.
04:30Okey-dokey.
04:31Now, it's not huge.
04:33Oh, do you know what I really like straight off the bat?
04:35It's that curved wall.
04:36Yeah, it's nice, isn't it?
04:38It's a really unusual feature.
04:39Got a lawn, which looks like it's seen better days.
04:42It's a little bit patchy, isn't it?
04:43But they have a dog.
04:44Yeah, they've got a dog.
04:45You've got the classic new build pavers, but to be honest, they're looking good, Nick.
04:48They're looking really good, Nick, actually.
04:49Yeah.
04:49And then there's this typical new build garden.
04:52You always have a weird spot behind the garage.
04:54Yeah.
04:54I mean, like, it's a good-sized garage, but what would you do with that space?
04:58And you can't see it from the house as well.
04:59Yeah.
05:00Awkward, that one.
05:01Yeah.
05:01Or a fun challenge.
05:02Yes.
05:03So, go on.
05:04What do they actually want?
05:05Shall we see?
05:05Yeah, go on.
05:08Hi, Frances.
05:08Hi, Chris.
05:09We'd love a rustic garden that blends Greek and Cypriot influences, reflecting my heritage.
05:15Nothing more relaxing than a Mediterranean garden.
05:17No.
05:17We already have a small olive tree in a pot, and it'd be great to expand the theme with a
05:22dedicated space for outdoor dining.
05:23Oh, that sounds dreamy, doesn't it?
05:25That sounds so nice.
05:27We'd love a veg patch, so we can get fresh vegetables, and we also have a newborn baby, and we'd
05:32love for him to learn about growing food.
05:33I think that's great for kids to really connect with how to grow plants.
05:37Yeah.
05:38Understanding where it actually comes from.
05:39We're excited to see how you can transform the space behind the garage into something usable.
05:44It will be a challenge.
05:45We'd also love it if your designs would keep a grassy area for our dog Lilo to enjoy.
05:48Tricky, though.
05:49A lawn and Mediterranean, they don't necessarily match.
05:52We can't wait to see what you come up with.
05:54Thank you so much for doing the designs.
05:57Wow.
05:57I mean, that sounds so nice, doesn't it?
05:59It does, doesn't it?
06:00But there's a lot to get in here, so what's the budget on this one?
06:02The budget is 4,000.
06:04Ooh, do you know what?
06:05I'm optimistic about that, because it isn't a massive garden, so I think if you're very clever about the budget,
06:11you can make it work.
06:12Well, you know, veg, I'm very comfortable with.
06:15Kids growing veg, I love it.
06:17I'm feeling this one.
06:18Oh, okay.
06:19Very confident there.
06:20I've done plenty of Mediterranean gardens, you see, so I think I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.
06:25Okey-dokey.
06:28Francis and Chris must now design a garden that fits Hector and Claudia's £4,000 budget.
06:36Once a winner has been picked, the losing designer must help with the build.
06:41A top team of landscapers will provide their labour for free, so all the money can be spent on materials.
06:51Hector, the pictures are ready.
06:53Back in Ashby-de-la-Zouche.
06:55Oh, exciting!
06:57The designs are in.
06:59Shall we see what's in store?
07:01Yeah.
07:02Hello, Hector and Claudia.
07:03Now, you've asked for a Cypriot Greek-inspired cooking garden, so hopefully I've managed to provide all of that for
07:10you.
07:11I really like that shape.
07:12Hector, Claudia, this is your garden, summer meals and Mediterranean feels.
07:16Oh, my God. Wow.
07:18Let me take you on a journey for it.
07:20Now, stepping out of the back doors, this is your existing paving that I'm leaving in because there's nothing wrong
07:24with it and I want to spend the budget elsewhere in the garden.
07:27And the first thing you're going to notice is this crazy paving to lead you through the garden, set in
07:33gravel.
07:34And that is just classic of any Mediterranean place, really rustic, natural, and it's all just a little bit informal.
07:40I really love the crazy paving.
07:42Francis is also keeping the existing patio, which will connect to warm, coloured gravel.
07:48So what I've got is two raised beds that you'll see as you first step out of your back door.
07:53This first raised bed is made from just one sleeper, so it's nice and low.
07:58And then the second raised bed is made from two sleepers.
08:02So as the little ones grow bigger, they can move from one space to the next and grow their vegetables
08:07there and really get to learn where food comes from and how it's grown.
08:11That's a lovely thought.
08:13Yeah, that sounds perfect.
08:14To give you a little bit of formality, I've got the two raised beds here, just two boards high, and
08:20those are going to be perfect for growing veg as a family.
08:22And this double archway will be in the middle to accentuate the focal point at the end.
08:27I love that archway.
08:28And in between them on the sides will have wires so you can grow beans up them, sweet peas, whatever
08:34you like.
08:34But what it does is it frames a view through the garden.
08:37I love using focal points.
08:38And the focal point of this view is going to be a fan-trained apple tree on that wall at
08:44the end.
08:45Oh, wow.
08:46Whilst Chris has gone for a straight-lined view, Francis aims to draw you in different directions.
08:53So you'll see that everything in the garden is on a 45-degree angle.
08:58And that really is just to make the garden look bigger.
09:01So by offsetting things, it creates a more balanced space in a small space.
09:08But also you can see here that by bringing the beds out into the garden, you create little barriers as
09:14you look down the space.
09:15And that in itself makes the whole space feel bigger because you can't see all of the edges and it
09:20leaves you thinking that there might be a little bit more than just meets the eye.
09:23Gosh, there's so much going on.
09:25Yeah.
09:26Chris and Francis might have different journeys through the garden, but it's all about the destination.
09:32As you come through here into this part of the garden, it opens up and this is going to be
09:37your little Mediterranean paradise.
09:39Oh, I love that.
09:40Now in this garden, it's quite awkward to find the sun here.
09:43So this area is going to be the sunny spot with decent amount of space for the dog to play
09:47around in here.
09:48Then we're going to have a little seating area big enough for a bistro set using sandstone sets underneath.
09:54And all around that will be lush Mediterranean planting, lavenders, gora, things like that.
09:59And tucked in the planting here, I wanted to have a classic Mediterranean urn just set in the planting, loads
10:04of frothy plants around it to really set it off.
10:07Oh my gosh, that's so lovely.
10:09You then come to the lawned area.
10:11Now you can't see everything here because I've got these really big specimens in the raised beds.
10:17So I know you have an olive tree and it's a lovely olive tree, but I thought we could get
10:21a really nice big gnarled olive that can go into this bed.
10:25I've always loved olive trees. That's going to be so beautiful.
10:27So the lawn here is small, but hopefully big enough for the dogs to play on and lay on.
10:33But what you hopefully can't miss as you look down this design is your outdoor kitchen.
10:39Oh, brilliant.
10:39I want that to be right at the centre at the back of the wall.
10:42So as you come out of the kitchen past the olives and the lovely Mediterranean plants, you see it straight
10:47ahead of you and that's your destination.
10:49Yeah, I can really picture this in our garden.
10:52One area that stumped Hector and Claudia was a sloped patch behind the garage.
10:58So we're going to cut into the levels a bit and give you one little retaining edge along here that
11:03you can have as another mini raised bed.
11:05And then at the end of that section there, I wanted to give you a cherry tree.
11:09So you get autumn colour, the spring blossom and it benefits wildlife in the garden.
11:15That looks like a really great use of the space behind the garage.
11:17So what I've decided is that this will become your dining area.
11:22So we've got one last raised bed that levels out that slope that's by the fence.
11:27And because it's quite shady around here, you probably won't be able to grow vegetables.
11:31But we could choose some nice evergreen shrubs that really make that feel like a part of the scenery.
11:37Well, the different areas, it's really diverse, isn't it?
11:39Yeah, I think it's really hit the brief.
11:41I really love this garden. I think it gives you everything you've asked for.
11:44You've got a slice of Mediterranean up here with the beautiful Mediterranean herbs.
11:48You've got a space for the dog to tear around on.
11:51You've got these two raised beds, so plenty of room to grow food as a family.
11:55And you've got some really nice features in there like this archway.
11:58I think this is the perfect small garden for a small family and I really hope you like it.
12:03Ah, lovely.
12:04I think I can really picture that in our garden.
12:07Yeah, definitely.
12:08I hope it's somewhere that you can all really enjoy and grow with and learn from
12:14and that will really nurture the whole family as you journey into the world of gardening.
12:20Oh, wow.
12:21Yeah, two really great pictures there.
12:23They're both very different, but hit the brief.
12:25It's going to be really tough to decide.
12:26Really tough, yeah.
12:28Hector and Claudia must now decide which design they want.
12:34I really like the different levels which Frances has used.
12:36I think they would look really nice.
12:39I like the nailed olive tree, which will accompany our little baby olive tree well.
12:42Definitely.
12:42It would also help to hide the garage door a little bit, which would be good.
12:45Yeah.
12:46And of course, clay oven kitchen over there.
12:48Definitely.
12:49I'm a big fan of.
12:50And for Chris's design, I really like, he's got our seating area in the corner there,
12:54which is nice and in the sun at the end of the day.
12:57Yeah.
12:57I love the crescent shape of the grass area as well.
13:00Yeah.
13:00Just adds a little something.
13:01And this mosaic, crazy mosaic tiling coming right the way up to about here is a real standout
13:07feature for me.
13:07I think it's going to be a really tough decision because there's generally so many things
13:10we like about both of them.
13:12I think there's going to be a bit of arguing here going,
13:13I'm coming inside of one.
13:15Definitely.
13:16Should we go have a think?
13:17Yeah.
13:24There we go.
13:25Right.
13:26Shall we see what Hector and Claudia picked?
13:28Yeah, the moment of truth.
13:29Go on.
13:31Hi, Frances and Chris.
13:32Thank you both so, so much for your incredible designs.
13:35We genuinely love both of them so, so much.
13:38Very nice.
13:40Starting with your design, Frances, we really like the geometric sharp shapes of the design
13:45and the way it carved up the garden.
13:46Oh, nice touch.
13:47I like that.
13:48Mmm.
13:49And of course, that wonderful looking outdoor kitchen barbecue area.
13:53It really reminds me of my grandfather's clay oven in Cyprus.
13:55I knew he'd like that.
13:57Yeah.
13:58And then, Chris, in terms of your design, honestly, it's like a backyard oasis giving us that slice
14:03of the Mediterranean in our UK garden.
14:05Oh, that's a nice compliment, isn't it?
14:07And you know, that awkward space behind the garage has always been a big point of contention for us.
14:12The borders around it just really makes great use of that space.
14:16Oh, yeah, we both did that.
14:17Yeah, we did, didn't we?
14:19It's been really tough having to choose a design, but we've decided to go for...
14:27Chris!
14:30Honestly, we can really picture our young family out there, us as tired newborn parents out
14:36there with a coffee, hopefully, as our dog rolls around in the grass.
14:40It's going to be such a nice retreat for them though, isn't it?
14:43Yeah, and it really is clever what you did with that garden in the small space to be able
14:47to move around it and see it from every angle.
14:49Yeah.
14:50I'm going to enjoy making this one, I think.
14:52Yeah, it should be really nice.
14:58Chris and Francis have just two days to rescue Hector and Claudia's garden.
15:05Project managing a skilled squad of landscapers is Ben.
15:11Once he's found everyone...
15:14He ain't in there.
15:16I don't know where he is.
15:19Hey!
15:20There he is!
15:22There he is!
15:22We've been looking for you, actually!
15:25Right, let's break it down.
15:26Typical new build.
15:28Bit of paving and lawn.
15:30We do have a little tricky area at the back of there.
15:34But Chris has attacked it with a little raised bed in there.
15:37And then we have the crazy paving.
15:40So just behind here, we have a beautiful circle bistro patio in there.
15:45Oh boy!
15:45You'll be on that today, sir.
15:46Great!
15:47Raph, we have some raised beds.
15:49So that first one's starting at the back.
15:50Then we have two going in either side here.
15:53We also got some plain posts creating the archway.
15:57Nice!
15:57Loads to do.
15:58I think the first thing, we get that path up just there.
16:01All the lawn up.
16:02And then we start setting out.
16:03So Ben, have we got a digger?
16:05In here, yeah.
16:05We've got Wayne!
16:06We have got Wayne!
16:07Of course we have!
16:08I'm the digger.
16:08Definitely.
16:09We need all this up.
16:10We're going to have a cup of tea.
16:11Give us a shout when it's done.
16:13Give us a shout when it's done.
16:14No problem.
16:15There you go.
16:17Slime.
16:18Ooh.
16:21Go for it, Wayne.
16:25Chris is creating a vista from the back doors there.
16:29So we're now going straight down the middle and putting a line in.
16:33So everything is perfectly symmetrical.
16:36That's in.
16:37I've got to try and keep up with the boys.
16:38They've already got the path up.
16:45Keeping the pace going, Andy gets the lawn up in no time.
16:50Ready?
16:52And the digger makes light work levelling the area behind the garage.
16:59Beautiful.
17:01With the ground clear, Raphael can start on the raised beds.
17:05Now, my little tip for you.
17:08When you're using your extension table,
17:10because of the length of the timber,
17:12it makes the extension table bow.
17:15So now what I'm doing is bracing it.
17:19So.
17:21I'm all braced.
17:22I'm ready to go.
17:27Instead of butting the timbers together square on,
17:30Raphael is cutting the corners at a 45 degree angle
17:34to make a nicer looking join.
17:37Let's all go here, mate.
17:40Oh, look at that.
17:42Anyone think I know what I'm doing?
17:43Of course I do.
17:45All right then, let's glue it up.
17:50What's the matter, Ben?
17:51Well, I need a circle in this section here.
17:55Yeah?
17:55And I'm getting nowhere.
17:57Absolutely nowhere.
17:58Circle? Yeah.
17:59My speciality, mate.
18:00Stand back.
18:01Stand back.
18:01Stand back.
18:03All right.
18:06It's in the wrong spot.
18:09For a more accurate measurement.
18:11That should drop on that.
18:13Beautiful.
18:14And he uses a length of timber anchored to a pin.
18:17Beautiful.
18:18To mark the circle.
18:20Oh, you beauty!
18:22What time is it?
18:24Now the big hand, big hands pointed to tea time.
18:33The sub base can now be laid on the circle dining area.
18:38And the crazy paving ready for the tiles.
18:42There's no real set system to this.
18:46It's just about making sure that it looks good really.
18:48But what we're having to do is just nap a few of them just so they fit the spaces.
19:00Andy's got to be slightly more precise with his tools.
19:07Oh, you are good, aren't you?
19:10Nearly round.
19:11Andy's just cut the centre piece of the bistro set.
19:15Now we're going to start putting the sets around it.
19:17We are flying.
19:27End of day one, team has done a fantastic job.
19:31Patio's all done.
19:32Last gobble going in.
19:35We've started on the raised beds just here.
19:37One's in.
19:38Ready for the post to go in.
19:40So we need Chris, we need Francis to finish it all off for us.
19:44But it's looking so good.
19:47Mmm.
20:00Well, the weather's pretty nice.
20:02Maybe not quite Cyprus weather.
20:04Yeah, I tell you what, I have been to Cyprus.
20:06Have you?
20:07And it is beautiful.
20:08I've never been.
20:09I'd love to go.
20:10I've never been.
20:11No, no.
20:12But I'm going to go today, aren't I?
20:14Yes, you are going to go today.
20:15But that's only if we actually finish the garden, right?
20:18Ooh, I'm sure we will.
20:19We will.
20:25Yes.
20:26Look at this.
20:26Wow.
20:27It's actually really coming on quite well, isn't it?
20:29It's doing all right, isn't it?
20:30I like that you can see the bones coming together now, aren't you?
20:33With the bed there, obviously another one to go in.
20:36Right.
20:36And that little patio over there is nearly finished.
20:39But maybe you could give Andy a hand on that one.
20:41Sure.
20:41Sure, yeah, yeah.
20:42Just get it over the line.
20:43And then we can focus on the rest and bring some life into this garden.
20:47Sounds like I am.
20:47I'll get my tools.
20:50Small gardens can be really tricky to design.
20:53So, to make a bit of a statement in here,
20:55I've gone for this sort of frame down the middle to make a focal point
20:59that runs all the way from the back doors, through the beds, through the garden
21:03to the feature espalier apple tree at the end.
21:06And to bring that Greek Cypriot vibe into the garden,
21:09I went for this crazy paving, which Jamie has done a fantastic job of laying, if I say so.
21:14You happy with it?
21:15Very happy.
21:16Once the gravel goes in and you get that contrast, it'll look really, really good.
21:20And then as we step into this section of the garden,
21:22this is where it's going to get some more of the afternoon sun,
21:24so I really want to pack this area full of lush Mediterranean planting.
21:27But we're not done there.
21:28We have this little area behind the garage
21:30and no-one ever knows what to do with them.
21:32But we've figured it out.
21:33We've got a little gravel area in here,
21:34so you can still come in and tend to this bed.
21:37And then talking focal points,
21:38we've got another feature tree that's going to go in here.
21:41So when you're sat on that paving area there,
21:43you've got focal points back towards the house
21:45and the whole garden will look beautiful.
21:46But right now, it doesn't look that beautiful.
21:50But give me a few hours and a boatload of plants and we might get there.
22:01This is a lovely little patio that Chris has designed in this back corner of the garden.
22:06And what he's done is use small sets in that feature
22:09to give it a bit more detail so that it looks like a real eye-catching design
22:13rather than just a block of, what would it be,
22:16and two massive paving slabs to make something like this.
22:20And now you're pointing it with your own mix of mortar.
22:24Yeah.
22:24With this kind of thing, I like to do my own mix.
22:27It's got like a limestone dust in it.
22:29You get that lovely rough texture when you brush it off
22:32and all the little bits of limestone will sort of shine through
22:34and it's very strong, so that's good.
22:37There we go.
22:38Yeah, nice.
22:38Well, I'll just keep brushing.
22:39You tell me where to brush your mortar, I'll get it.
22:48At the front of the garden, Chris is helping Raphael make a start on the arch.
22:54I'm just digging out the post holes for the two posts
22:59that hold the corners of the raised bed
23:01but also form the archway that goes over.
23:04So I'm going to cut it at 2.7.
23:06Yeah, that'll be plenty because there's enough to go in the ground then.
23:11With the hard landscaping coming together...
23:14Post number one.
23:21It's time to have a look at the softer side.
23:25The plants are here.
23:26The plants are here.
23:28Right, what's this?
23:28Oh, look at this.
23:32Oh, wow.
23:33Ooh, look at this.
23:34That's a nice full van.
23:36Tricky thing with this garden, it's the Mediterranean
23:38but it's also a lot of it's north-facing, isn't it?
23:40I know, so you have to get plants that look right
23:42but can cope with quite a cold...
23:44...and not too sunny position.
23:45Yeah, so we've got some of the sunny stuff like the lavenders
23:48but then we have to go for some shady things too.
23:51Yeah.
23:51What's your favourite plant in here?
23:52I love verbena.
23:54It's one of my favourite plants in general actually.
23:56Yeah, you can't go wrong with it.
23:57It's one of those, isn't it?
23:57It always does well and performs for so long.
24:00Especially when it seeds itself in places where you don't want it
24:02and then you're like...
24:03And then when it flowers, actually it's fine.
24:05Oh, you're quite sweet.
24:06You're right.
24:06You're right.
24:12These are my safest, they're my favourite.
24:16Now this is Mediterranean, isn't it?
24:18Very Mediterranean.
24:20Perfect.
24:20Very nice.
24:24You just can't beat a cherry tree in a small garden.
24:26And Frances knows just where to put it.
24:30It's one of my favourite plants for a small garden anyway
24:33because they offer so much to have beautiful blossom in the spring.
24:37This is an edible cherry.
24:39So this will produce lovely dark cherry fruits.
24:42Obviously with any tree, when you first plant it
24:45you want to water it regularly so that it does settle in
24:48and then after that it shouldn't probably need much more other care
24:52and this is a very long drought.
24:54And actually I was a bit worried that this corner was really going to be shady
24:57but it's been in sun all morning
24:59so it should be very, very happy here
25:01and grow absolutely beautifully
25:06giving the whole family something lovely to look at
25:08and hopefully something lovely to eat.
25:17With the cherry tree in place
25:20Jamie can rake in the first bit of Cotswold gravel.
25:30How about this for a feature?
25:32It's amazing.
25:34Oh!
25:34This is a bit of a problem.
25:36There's the gate there.
25:37A little bit of acrobatics.
25:40Come on.
25:43And we are in.
25:47That's a nice looking tree isn't it?
25:50Now this beautiful apple tree is called Malus Jonagold
25:54and it is a double U, not a double U, a double U train.
26:00So it has, comes up here and it's been trained out horizontally
26:03and it grows up and then they train it out again into these double U's.
26:08And it takes a long time this.
26:10I reckon as a guess this could have been sort of trained like this
26:13for maybe eight, nine years.
26:15It could be even more because it is quite chunky.
26:18But yeah, so a lot of work and love has gone into this.
26:21Now, let's get this one in the ground.
26:27That really nice healthy roots on it.
26:29That's what you want to see.
26:32The good thing about this apple is it has already come bearing fruit,
26:37which we love.
26:38Once we get this on the wall, I'll tie it back into the wall
26:41so it's got a nice strong framework.
26:44And then over time you can prune out branches that you don't want,
26:47ones that are going to be crossing and overlapping
26:49onto other areas of the tree.
26:51And in winter that's when you will give it this really formative prune.
26:54I usually do mine in February and I'll take a lot of these stems right back
26:57and focus on where all the fruiting buds are to let those develop.
27:03To help frame the apple tree from the house, Chris has designed an arch.
27:08which the team are busy cementing the posts for.
27:11How many guys does it take to make an archway?
27:14This is the most hands on deck we've had all day.
27:17Look at this!
27:17We'll still get it, Ron.
27:19This is good. This is what we need.
27:21Spot on.
27:21Come on then, Andy.
27:24All good?
27:25Oh, my God.
27:26Is it perfect?
27:30Well, that's good.
27:32Two posts in, next row can go on, then the top beams can go on,
27:36then the wires can go on, then the plants can go in,
27:38and then we're getting there.
27:40Yeah?
27:48The next thing to do is for Francis to come in and put the wires up the sides,
27:52which I'm really glad about because I don't like fiddly things.
27:56Through the arch will be a curved lawn.
27:59To create its shape, galvanised steel edging must be installed.
28:03Here we go.
28:04This is the edging for the whole lawn and we're going to try and do it in a one-er.
28:11It's so heavy, isn't it?
28:16Come on, Andy.
28:21So, are you all in?
28:22Rah, keep going.
28:24I can go forwards.
28:25I'm through.
28:26You're through, you're through, OK.
28:27And then back.
28:29Hold on, hold on, I'm up.
28:30Here we go.
28:31OK.
28:35This will hold the lawn in place so it will stay neat for a longer time, hopefully.
28:39As long as they mow it regularly, eh?
28:43Wildflower meadow in a circle, that works, though.
28:46Right, are you hitting or am I?
28:47Ready?
28:47You can hit it.
28:48Yep.
28:51Fingers.
28:54Right there.
28:55There we go.
28:56We'll leave it at that for now and we'll work our way around a bit.
28:59OK.
28:59Looking good.
29:00Are you happy?
29:01It's looking really good.
29:02Do you see this attention to detail, Chris, on your design?
29:04I really, really love the attention to detail.
29:06OK, good, good.
29:06Because you know I like things very neat.
29:13The bones of the garden are kind of in.
29:15All the framework's done, the steel edging is going in, which I really love.
29:19How are you feeling, Frances?
29:20Good.
29:21Already, with what you've done, it feels much bigger.
29:24It does, doesn't it?
29:25It's always the funny trick.
29:26The more you put in it, the bigger it seems to feel.
29:28Yeah, definitely.
29:28Well, if you're positive, that's good.
29:31Right.
29:33With the edging in place, Andy and Jamie can now get to work rolling out the six square
29:38metres of new turf.
29:47I love laying the lawn.
29:49To me, it's like the finishing product, really.
29:52It's equal to the plant, so I just like to get the stripes nice and neat.
29:56Good.
30:00You've got three pittosporums.
30:01Yeah, I reckon I might...
30:02So it feels like they want to be...
30:04I might use some in these, definitely going to use some in these beds as well.
30:07So...
30:09This is what you want, the silver plants.
30:14I'm kind of struggling with the setting out in this garden, because I've got some really
30:18lovely plants, but Mediterranean gardens, typically, they're quite loose and informal,
30:22whereas this garden, it actually has quite a lot of structure and formality to it, and
30:26some quite narrow beds.
30:27So I'm just trying to set the plants out in a way where they don't look too stiff, but
30:32I also want to kind of repeat the pattern a little bit, so it's all a balancing action.
30:36You've got to keep standing back and looking at it and making sure I don't run out of plants.
30:44Frances is making a start on the produce area by the arch and is installing wires.
30:50So what we're doing is we're going three verticals up the middle of here, and Hector and
30:57Claudia have been growing some cucumbers themselves.
30:59I want to put them climbing up here, so as they walk under the arch, they'll be able
31:02to pick cucumbers, and then also add some tomatoes as well.
31:05So this lovely raised bed will be full of climbing edibles.
31:08Having the opportunity to grow fruit and veg for the family...
31:11There we go.
31:13..is something Hector and Claudia are excited for.
31:17I'm most looking forward to having the lovely planters and the framed structure.
31:23We just need to make sure there's enough. Yeah, that'll be all right.
31:25Our only worry about the raised beds is that Lilo is a little bit of a scavenger.
31:30She likes to get her nose in, perhaps where it doesn't belong, all the time.
31:35Hopefully there'll still be some veg left over for ourselves.
31:39Hopefully Lilo manages to keep her paws off the tomatoes.
31:43There we go. If I put that on a bit of an angle, I can start to just wind this
31:49around the wire like that.
31:52So at the end of this summer, they should have amazing fresh tomatoes that they can either eat fresh or
31:57store for the winter.
31:59There we go.
32:01The rest in now.
32:13Now this scheme is all about the Mediterranean stuff.
32:17And you'd think that means you need to use strictly Mediterranean plants.
32:20But you don't. You can use other plants to get the same effect.
32:25So this is Sesleria autumnalis, the autumn moorgrass.
32:28And although it is a moorgrass, so it's well suited to our climate,
32:32it still fits really well in amongst the sort of silvers, the purples and the whites of this Mediterranean plant.
32:40It doesn't look out of place.
32:41And if you pair them with some nice colours like purple flowers or salvias, things like that,
32:47you just get that really nice contrast against the bright green.
32:55Lovely.
33:04OK.
33:06Hole is dug.
33:09One of the challenges with this garden is that although we want it to feel like you're in the Mediterranean,
33:14it's actually north-facing and therefore it's pretty shady.
33:17When you're planting in that sort of situation, you really have to choose species that can handle the shade.
33:22And one of the best ones is this. This is a hosta.
33:25They're really beautiful.
33:26They have this, well, all different kinds of variegation,
33:30but this one has a lovely sort of very soft pale yellow down the middle of each leaf.
33:34And when you introduce a bit of white or yellow into a leaf,
33:38it actually lifts the shade and makes it feel brighter.
33:41So it's a really nice design tip.
33:42But also, these are very happy in deep shade.
33:46They'll grow beautifully, nice big leaves,
33:49and give that lush Mediterranean feel without actually being Mediterranean plants.
34:05I think my work's done here today, right?
34:08What do you reckon?
34:09Ah!
34:10How darey!
34:13This fun little plant is Pinus strobus blue shag.
34:18And Pinus strobus are amazing pines because when all the needles come out,
34:23they go very shaggy, hence the blue shag name.
34:26But this one does stay very compact and small,
34:29which is why it's perfect for this small garden.
34:32Pines, you always see them in the Mediterranean.
34:36You see them all along the coastline,
34:38and then you get all the little seedlings growing up underneath them.
34:41And that's why we've picked this one for this garden.
34:43It's just nice to have that variation in texture.
34:46So if you want to keep that nice, tight, moundy shape,
34:49you just get these leaders, and you just snip them back a bit,
34:54and then it will bush out very slowly.
34:55You don't have to do it to all of them,
34:57but just the long ones in the middle of each branch.
35:00And honestly, that's about it.
35:02Water it very well when you plant it,
35:04and then just let it do its thing.
35:10Beautiful.
35:10The team are nearly there.
35:12The last few plants and herbs go in.
35:15It should look, smell, and taste incredible.
35:25When you can see that hanging out over the edge,
35:27that is delicious.
35:33And after a sprinkling of furniture...
35:38..it's time to take it all in.
35:45Hello.
35:46What do you think?
35:48I'm pretty happy of how this has gone, to be honest.
35:50It's such a transformation.
35:52Yeah.
35:52What I really like about this one as well
35:54is that it has room to grow.
35:55Yeah.
35:56With the family.
35:57And, like, when these trees and shrubs
35:59get bigger and bigger,
36:00this whole space is going to really change,
36:02and then each year they can do their own stamps
36:04on certain areas.
36:05Well, and I love the raised beds,
36:07but the fun with growing your own is that
36:09it's all about experimenting, isn't it?
36:10And playing.
36:11Yeah, absolutely.
36:12I really hope they like it.
36:13I'm sure that they will.
36:15I could sit here all day,
36:17but I think I need to go and get Hector and Claudia.
36:19See what they think.
36:20Come on, then.
36:21OK.
36:27Before, Hector and Claudia had a typical new-build garden.
36:32Lacking in character and features,
36:34with just a lawn and a small patio in place.
36:38There was a plain curved wall
36:40and an awkward sloping space behind the garage.
36:46But, just two days and £4,000 later,
36:51they have a chic Mediterranean escape.
36:57Putting life and soul into their new-build plot.
37:03It's now filled with planters,
37:08a timber archway leading to a new-curved lawn and dining area.
37:15The tricky nook is now a usable spot to hide away and relax.
37:21If I take your hand there, there you go,
37:22you can step out onto the patio.
37:24Now, if you come and plonk yourself just there.
37:26OK, you've got this.
37:27And then if you come forward, Hector.
37:33I'm not going to keep you waiting any longer.
37:35So, please, open your eyes.
37:39Oh, my God.
37:40Is this definitely our house?
37:42Oh, wow.
37:43Oh, my God.
37:45This is amazing.
37:46Yeah, that's...
37:47I can't believe it.
37:48You have an idea of what it's going to be like in your head
37:50after you're drawing, but it surpasses everything of that.
37:52They love it.
37:54Crazy paving, I love it.
37:56These pots as well, look at those.
37:57They're cool, aren't they?
37:58Yeah.
37:59They're so cool.
37:59I really love those.
38:01They've got a lot of texture and, again,
38:02it kind of just gives a little link back to that Mediterranean.
38:05Yeah.
38:06Oh, my God.
38:07I love the archway.
38:08This is it.
38:09This was the part of the whole design.
38:10It was this focal point, wasn't it, from the house.
38:12Even on a rainy, miserable day and it doesn't look like a Mediterranean,
38:16you can still sit inside in the warm and look out at this lovely view.
38:20Yeah.
38:20The arch really does look good there, right?
38:23There's so much going on.
38:24I love it.
38:24Well, why don't we go and have a little bit?
38:26I love it.
38:27I love it.
38:28Before, there were barely any plants in sight.
38:32Hector and Claudia's attempt to be green-fingered, stretched to a lonely olive tree and some mysterious
38:38veg plants.
38:44Now, planters are teeming with produce so the family can grow and cook together.
38:52A stunning timber archway centres the view down the garden, framing a beautiful apple tree.
39:01Now, you've got two brand-new veg beds here.
39:04And I know it was really important to you, wasn't it, to be able to grow food as a family?
39:07Yeah, definitely.
39:08It's a lot larger than I thought.
39:10I mean, fantastic, because I think that just gives us such a variety to grow.
39:13More than spaced.
39:13Yeah.
39:14And the height of it is perfect as well, because I imagine when Arthur's a toddler running
39:18around.
39:18Yeah, perfect.
39:19Even me now with my back then.
39:20Yeah.
39:21And you know what's really good?
39:23It's quite a narrow capping on it, but it is enough to perch on, so you can actually
39:27have a little sit down, do a bit of gardening.
39:29It's nice.
39:30Yeah, yeah.
39:30Brilliant.
39:31Now, why don't we take a little journey round to this part of the garden?
39:37Around the back of the garage lay a slopey, grassy bank that was unusable and hidden.
39:45Now, it's been turned into a flourishing nook filled with colourful beds and calm gravel.
39:52A cherry tree sits proudly at the end, and it's now a place that can be utilised.
39:59Because it all sort of sloped down towards the garage, and it was just totally unusable,
40:02wasn't it?
40:03Yeah.
40:03So, now, this bed is, I mean, it's so generous.
40:06I love it.
40:06Yeah.
40:07And, again, you can perch on this too if you want.
40:09Yeah.
40:09So many places to have coffee.
40:11More than coffee around the garden.
40:12It is much more usable now.
40:14It's not surprising they like it.
40:15It's transformed that area.
40:17Right.
40:17So, that's this area.
40:19Why don't we take a little walk over to your new seating space?
40:23Yes.
40:25Before, the boring patch of grass was full of dips and divots.
40:30The curved brick wall provided privacy, but not much else.
40:38Now, a brand new cobbled patio sits next to a luscious new lawn.
40:44Both echo the curves of the wall, which is now hugged by Mediterranean-inspired plants.
40:51The family can now sit back and dream of Cyprus.
40:59Now, this is a very small seating area, but it is a very small garden, isn't it?
41:03No, I think it's perfect.
41:04I mean, it fits a coffee for us in the morning.
41:13Yeah.
41:13It is nice, isn't it?
41:14And it doesn't need a plant in it.
41:16It's just beautiful as it is.
41:17I really like it.
41:18That patio is such a nice place to hang out.
41:21I'm glad they like that.
41:22Being surrounded by all this lovely Mediterranean planting behind is perfect.
41:27Exactly.
41:27We've got lots of different things in here that, you know, not all of it is Mediterranean per se,
41:32but it gives a nod to it and some of the plants are, especially like the silvery colours.
41:37You know, we've got the Santolina, very Mediterranean.
41:40And obviously, you know, you've got yourself a brand new lawn here as well.
41:45I spotted this wasn't my mowing.
41:47Yeah.
41:48Those stripes are too nice.
41:50It couldn't be me.
41:51So, there's something else over here that obviously I want to pay a lot of attention to this
41:56because this is your W apple tree.
41:59So, I wanted you to have that feature as the view through the garden.
42:03But also, it ties into this sort of grow your own, you know, and having food in the garden.
42:07It does even have apples on it as well.
42:09Oh, wow.
42:10Yeah, it's already started.
42:11Fantastic.
42:12Yes, we've definitely given you a head start with this one because it's already massive.
42:16Yeah, I love the shape of it as well.
42:17Yeah.
42:18I didn't really spot that initially, but yeah, now that you've planted it out.
42:21I think you really nailed this one, Chris.
42:22They absolutely love it.
42:24Well done.
42:25Now, obviously, there was a lot of work that's gone into this garden.
42:28It wasn't all me.
42:29Obviously, it was all done by the team, but also by Francis.
42:32So, do you want to come in?
42:36Well, what do you guys think?
42:37Yeah, in love with it, aren't we?
42:39Yeah, gobsmacked.
42:39Really?
42:40Amazing.
42:40I can't believe it's our garden.
42:41Oh, that's so lovely.
42:43Very good, isn't it?
42:44And they're very excited about growing their veg and eating all of it.
42:48Oh, cool.
42:48I hope you guys enjoy it.
42:49And Lilo.
42:51And Arthur, of course.
42:52Absolutely.
42:53Yeah, so we'll leave you to take it all in and chill out and just relax as a family.
42:58Thank you so much, honestly.
42:59Thank you so, so much.
43:00It's a pleasure.
43:01Cheers.
43:10Honestly, when I opened my eyes, I didn't think that this was our garden.
43:14It was just, I thought, oh, we'll probably walk to a different house.
43:17It's just really unbelievable that this is actually ours.
43:20This is a little slice of cypress.
43:22It absolutely hits the brief.
43:24We are very, very happy.
43:26Yeah.
43:27Cheers.
43:29Cheers.
43:30Cheers.
43:45Thanks, everyone.
43:45Cheers.
43:45Cheers.
43:56We'll see you next time.
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