- 31 minutes ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The Garden Rescue Team are back.
00:03Hallelujah!
00:04This time Lee,
00:06He and Eve,
00:07He and Eve,
00:08Charlie,
00:09Busy, busy little bee.
00:10Chris,
00:11Sometimes you need to go old school.
00:13and Flo,
00:15Hello!
00:15will 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,
00:28I think I've been accepted into the guy.
00:31And Francis.
00:32You just can't beat a cherry tree.
00:34In each garden,
00:35two of our designers will go head to head.
00:37We've decided to go for...
00:40Flo's design!
00:42Yes!
00:43Come on!
00:44And the winning designer.
00:45Does that make me the boss?
00:47Gets a helping hand from the runner-up.
00:50Stop pulling!
00:51It's garden war!
00:52That is fantastic!
00:54Turning garden dreams into reality.
00:58Open your eyes.
00:59Oh!
01:00Oh my God!
01:00That is incredible!
01:02Oh my God!
01:04This is gorgeous!
01:06This is our garden!
01:10This is our garden!
01:12Today, the team are in Oxford to help Venetia, Adam and their young, busy family.
01:18We've got three little girls.
01:20Ravi is autistic.
01:22She has global developmental delay and sensory processing disorder.
01:25So that comes with various challenges.
01:28And then we have twins who are Yasmin and Amari, and they're three.
01:32The house is carnage from the moment that everyone wakes up.
01:36There's toys everywhere, food everywhere.
01:38Everyone's asking a hundred questions like,
01:41Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!
01:42It's always Mummy actually.
01:44Yeah, there's not normally Daddy.
01:45But it's a lot of fun as well.
01:47The kids are amazing.
01:49While life inside the house is full on, outside the garden has been left behind.
01:55As you can see, it is very bland.
01:59So it's a bit of a strange shape.
02:01Obviously, it starts quite wide and then gets narrower and narrower.
02:04It feels small.
02:05I don't want to start dredging up old arguments, but here's our half-finished fence.
02:09Yeah, sorry, I never got round to painting that.
02:11Yeah, four years ago.
02:13Hopefully, this can finally put to bed that argument.
02:17You win.
02:19Adam's half-painted fence isn't much to look at,
02:22and the rest of the garden is just as unattractive.
02:25With fake grass they put in for ease when the girls were younger
02:29and limited space for the kids to play.
02:32But the couple have a plan to change that.
02:35It's not just our garden that needs a bit of help.
02:41It's my dad's garden as well.
02:43My dad, Graham, lives next door to us.
02:45He moved in just under a year ago.
02:48Hello, Grandad.
02:49It's amazing having him next door.
02:51The kids love it. He loves it.
02:53The day after my dad moved in, we ripped down a fence panel
02:57so we can just step out of our back door, walk round and go into his house
03:00and he can do the same.
03:01And it's amazing.
03:02We can be round each other's houses in about ten seconds.
03:05I hope he says the same, I'm not sure.
03:07Yeah, I hope.
03:07It's great living next door to my daughter and the family.
03:10The kids are wonderful.
03:12I really enjoy time with them.
03:13They love coming round to see me.
03:15But the fence, it's a bit of a Berlin wall.
03:19It would be really nice if we had it as just one open space.
03:24We're either in one garden or the other.
03:26We're just constantly going round from one side to the other.
03:28But at the moment, we've got two gardens separated by a fence
03:31with one random missing fence panel.
03:33So if we could have something that could really unify us
03:36and make it one central point for us all to enjoy together,
03:39that would be amazing.
03:42But there's a deeper reason why living side by side means so much to them.
03:48It's been bittersweet because it was always meant to be my mum as well.
03:51And we were just a few months too late.
03:54Mum had been unwell for a few years.
03:56She had stage four metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer,
04:00which is a really, really rare type of cancer.
04:03Unfortunately, the nature of her disease progressed
04:06and we weren't able to get the move in time for when she did eventually die.
04:12The plan was always meant to be that mum and dad would move next door together.
04:16It never occurred to us that mum wouldn't make it for that.
04:20But that is what happened last year.
04:22But her wish when she was in hospital was that she still wanted dad to move.
04:27She really wanted him to be there with us
04:29so that we could look after him and he could look after us.
04:31And I think my mum would be really happy if she could see us now.
04:35The most treasured thing in Graham's garden is mum's favourite swing bench.
04:40But beyond that, there's little here that reflects her spirit.
04:43There's not a lot of colour here.
04:45There's not any colour, if any. Well, green is the only one.
04:48My mum was Indian. She always loved bright colours.
04:52Something that she loved to do was that if we were ever out and about going for a walk,
04:56if she saw some pretty flowers, she would always make me go and stand in front of them
05:01so that she could take a picture. And that's something that we would really like in our garden as well.
05:05To bring some colour in there to kind of honour and remind us of mum.
05:09Hoping to combine Venetia, Adam and Graham's gardens, our resident garden rescue designer, Chris Hull.
05:16A beautiful day for you.
05:18Well, yeah, that's what the gardens are for, isn't it?
05:20And bringing his signature naturalistic, rustic style, Dermot Gavin.
05:26Right, Dermot. Got an interesting one for you today.
05:30Very good.
05:30We've got Venetia, Adam and Graham's garden in Oxford.
05:34Now, it is an unusual one because it's actually going to be two gardens in one.
05:38A nice, big, chunky space for them.
05:40Exactly. I mean, you can see here, it's looking a little bit sad in some areas, isn't it?
05:45That patio has seen better days than that.
05:48The dreaded artificial grass. Yeah.
05:50Yeah, nobody likes that one.
05:52Shall we find out what they actually want, then? Yeah.
05:55What we'd really, really like you to help us with is to turn these two completely separate gardens
05:59into one big, beautiful garden, a lovely shared space.
06:04We have to unify this.
06:05We want a garden that can meet all of our needs,
06:08so somewhere that Dad can get back into gardening again.
06:11Mum never got to see us all living here together,
06:13so what I'd really love is to have a garden that's big, beautiful and brightly coloured,
06:18so I can really sit and think about Mum.
06:20Oh, that's nice. You can't go wrong with lots of colour, can you?
06:22It's just so sad she's not there to enjoy it.
06:25We want a garden that we can all chill out as a family, the space for the kids to run,
06:29and a lovely sensory part for Ravi to help her regulate and to meet those additional needs.
06:34So it's really centred around colour and the children.
06:36We've got a unique challenge, but we know that you're up for it.
06:40I think this is quite a big ask, but it sounds like a garden that I think this family really,
06:44really needs,
06:45because they've got their hands full, haven't they?
06:46Yes, and even if we just stuck down the fence, they'd be impressed.
06:51Yeah, it's an easy win, this one. I like that.
06:54There's a lot to do. What's the budget?
06:56This is £6,000 for this garden.
06:58That's OK, £6,000 and £6,000.
07:00That would be nice, wouldn't it? Yeah.
07:02More like three and three.
07:04It is a big ask, but I love sensory gardens, I love all that sort of tactile planting,
07:08so I think I've got an edge on this one, you know?
07:11Well, we'll see, we'll see.
07:15Chris and Dermot will create designs that will meet Venetia, Adam and Graham's £6,000 budget.
07:22Once the favourite has been chosen, the losing designer will help with the build.
07:26A trusted team of landscapers will provide their labour for free,
07:30so the full budget can be spent on materials and plants.
07:37Back in Oxford, the designs have been delivered.
07:41All the videos are here.
07:43Let's have a look, guys.
07:45Can't wait.
07:47Venetia and Adam and Graham, welcome to your new garden.
07:52So, look, I know this was two houses.
07:55There was a fence, a Berlin Wall between them, and I know to embrace family
08:00and to remember Mum, we're bringing them together.
08:03It's amazing, all this one garden.
08:05So, what we have is a pathway right the way round.
08:09We go down to the sheds and we come back.
08:12That path is amazing, the kids will love it.
08:14Venetia, Adam, Graham, this is your family first garden.
08:17Let me take you on a journey.
08:19So, coming out of your back doors, you're greeted with this stone water feature.
08:23So, the water will come up and spill over the edges.
08:26It's going to be really low to the ground, so the girls can go in there and splash on top
08:30of it with their hands.
08:31And also, wherever you are in the garden, you're just going to hear that really gentle trickle.
08:36Oh, that's going to add a nice, peaceful element to it.
08:39All around it, we've got some beautiful planting, lots of nice colours.
08:43While Chris's design is very modern, Dermot is going for rustic charm.
08:48In this area, we don't really need to do much because we have two serviceable patios.
08:54The issue is they're on different levels, so I'm introducing this planted raised bed.
08:59Which will be packed with herbs.
09:01Oh nice, a herb garden.
09:03As you pass down this yellow brick road, we have our circular gathering space.
09:09But this is particularly for Ravina, so it's a water play area.
09:13All sorts of pipes in different colours set against the wall.
09:16You put water in the top and you wonder where it's going to come out.
09:20She will love that.
09:22I think they'll all love that, not just Ravi.
09:24Not to be outdone, Chris is also including play areas for the kids.
09:28This is where I think everyone's going to have loads of fun.
09:32On this boundary, I wanted to make a mud kitchen.
09:35Because talking about sensory experiences, there's nothing better than a mud kitchen.
09:39So they can get some of that soil and make some mud pies.
09:41They would love a mud kitchen.
09:43They were making potions the other day, weren't they?
09:46Yes, and they left them in my garden.
09:48I wanted to give you a sunken trampoline set into the ground, so it's at ground level.
09:53Because trampolines, they can be quite ugly, they're quite dominant.
09:56Whereas this one is much more discreet.
09:57On the all-important trampoline, the twins would be very, very happy to see that.
10:02And it seems great minds think alike.
10:05On the lawn, we have the trampoline that can be stored in the shed and taken out when the children
10:11want to use it.
10:12That's a great idea.
10:13You go round by the sheds and you find the swing.
10:17And as you come back around the oval pathway, you come across the teepee.
10:23Now this is also a windy house, a playhouse. You can shut mum and dad out.
10:27Oh, that teepee's cool.
10:29But it's not all about the kids.
10:31Chris also wants the garden to be enjoyable for the grown-ups.
10:35From here, we step up onto the existing deck.
10:39But by putting some planting pockets around the edges, it just makes it feel a little bit more bedded in.
10:44And it's a really nice spot where you can just sit and look back across the garden.
10:47Those trees will frame it nicely.
10:49In this corner over here, as you go round to the other shed, I wanted to just put up a
10:54really simple slatted screen with a gap in the middle to access the shed.
10:57So we can grow climbers up each one. And it gives you somewhere to tuck some of those kids' toys
11:02out the way.
11:03That's green. We'll hide the shed nicely.
11:06I think this is a really great garden because it is all about the family.
11:10It joins those two awkward spaces together into one seamless design.
11:15I'd love to see this, Bill, and I'd love to have a bounce on the trampoline, so please pick me.
11:19He's packed such a lot in there.
11:21So this is a garden for the children, but it's also a garden full of colour and flowers.
11:27And to remember, Mum would.
11:29On either side of this patch, we have florals. We have the wallflowers, the big shrubs, a symphony of colour.
11:36Oh, I'm glad he's brought that colour in there. That would have made Mum really happy.
11:40I hope you really love this new family garden. A garden of memories, a garden of play, and a garden
11:48of unity.
11:50I think we're going to have to think long and hard about this. This is going to be a tough
11:54decision.
11:54They're both brilliant.
11:56Come on, then. Let's go sit on Mum's bench.
11:59Venetia, Adam and Graham must now decide which garden they can picture themselves in.
12:05So which shall we look at first?
12:07Let's look at Chris's.
12:08I really like the flow of the design.
12:11It's beautiful, isn't it?
12:12I think this sunken trampoline here is a brilliant idea.
12:15It will definitely be popular with the girls.
12:17I really like the water feature as well with the rocks.
12:21But I'm a little concerned there isn't a lot of colour.
12:24Yeah, let's look at dimmards.
12:27Wow, that's quite different.
12:29That round pathway all the way around looks fantastic.
12:33There's all these little Playstations to get to.
12:35They'll just be going around doing laps for ages.
12:38Yeah.
12:38I like the colour.
12:39Lot of colour in this one.
12:41Yeah, that would make Mum happy.
12:43Right, I guess we should look at both of these then.
12:44They're both amazing.
12:47With so much to love about both designs, choosing between them won't be easy.
12:53Right, Dermud, we've heard back from Venetia, Adam and Graham.
12:56Shall we see who they've picked then?
12:57Yes.
12:58Yeah.
12:59Hi, Chris.
13:00Hi, Dermud.
13:01Guys, they were both brilliant designs.
13:04Well, that's not bad.
13:05Chris, we absolutely loved your modern style and we thought the mud kitchen was brilliant.
13:10Nice.
13:11And Dermud, we loved the path that curved round the garden and the teepee was a fantastic touch.
13:18Ooh, I love that you put a teepee in, that's fun.
13:20So, it was a tough decision.
13:22It was really, really hard.
13:23They were both such great designs.
13:25But we decided to go with...
13:27Go on then, who's it going to be?
13:29We're about to find out.
13:32Go on.
13:34Dermud!
13:35Dermud!
13:36Oh!
13:37I'm surprised, but happy.
13:39Wow.
13:40Congrats, Dermud.
13:41I think you ticked all the boxes for them.
13:42We are so excited for our new garden and we can't wait to see it.
13:46Does that make me the boss?
13:47I think it does.
13:49I'm looking forward to working me on this one.
13:51Yeah, I think it should be fun and then remembering Mum with all that colour, but the places for the
13:57children to go and that water play thing I think will be a really nice thing.
14:01I can't wait to see the children enjoying that, just for a moment.
14:04Yeah, I think that would be sweet.
14:05Maybe I'll get stuck into the water area, that sounds funny.
14:12Dermud and Chris will be supported by an expert team of landscapers, with project manager Danny at the helm.
14:18This is us, number 34.
14:20Well, I think this is it.
14:24Right, well...
14:25Where are any others?
14:26I can hear voices.
14:28I thought the garden was this side.
14:30No, no, no.
14:31You'd better come round this side.
14:33Confusion over.
14:34Time to reveal the plan.
14:37We're in Oxford.
14:39Nice.
14:40Venetia and Adam's house.
14:41What I didn't tell you was about Graham's house next door.
14:44Graham is Venetia's dad.
14:46And what we're going to do this week is something a bit special.
14:48We're going to tear down the fence, and we're going to make two gardens into one garden.
14:53How does that sound?
14:55A bit different.
14:55We've never done it before.
14:56I'm sure we can vice to the challenge.
14:58Dermud's designed this week.
15:00Basically, it's a big oval path, which kind of links the two gardens together.
15:04But because it's quite a kid-focused garden, we're going to have a water wall, a teepee, and all of
15:11that is going to be blended in with a load of plantain and a lovely lawn in the middle.
15:15Lurch.
15:15First things first, let's get the fence taken down, then we'll be able to see the plot as it really
15:19is.
15:20Nice.
15:20Happy days.
15:21Let's get some tolls.
15:22Let's do it.
15:25The responsibility of taking down the fence that separates the gardens falls to Carwin.
15:30Here we are.
15:31This fence is a bit different, really, because it's all in individual feather-edge panels.
15:36So we've got to take them off individually.
15:38We'll take them down in panels, and that will be reused then back on another site, probably.
15:43So, yeah, just got to be careful with the nails.
15:47Morning.
15:48Next door, Tori is taking up Graham's old decking area to make way for Dermot's large curved path.
15:56It's not a bad deck, this is in good condition, so we're going to get it up as safely and
16:00easily as possible, try not to damage it, and hopefully reuse it, maybe so far.
16:06The team are making quick work of the decking and fence panels.
16:11Once you get a rhythm going, it's easy.
16:14But the fence posts are putting up more of a fight.
16:18This fence has been put in really well.
16:20It's nice to see they don't put them in like this anymore.
16:24You've got this.
16:25No, I haven't.
16:30It's a bit of an experience pull on there, I think.
16:34With the fencing coming down quickly, the full potential of the combined garden can be seen.
16:39But Danny's spotted an issue.
16:43We've got this sort of dead spot that you couldn't get to before because obviously the fence line closed it
16:48off.
16:49It's really tempting to try and wiggle this shed round and bring it back a bit.
16:54And that will give us a lot more space at the front.
16:56I think we can do it.
16:57What if it's full of stuff, like lawn mowers and paving steps?
17:04But Danny's the boss and he's made the call.
17:07Time to put some muscle into it.
17:11Can we come straight back?
17:13Yeah, hang on.
17:14People are pushing now.
17:15Hold on, hold on, hold on.
17:17The boys need to be able to get out.
17:19I don't know.
17:20Leave them in there.
17:21Be a nice quiet afternoon.
17:26It's easier for you, Carl.
17:28You've got a higher head.
17:29A higher head, yeah.
17:31Come on, Carl.
17:33That's fine.
17:34That's better.
17:36With the shed repositioned, the next job is clear.
17:39The artificial grass has to go.
17:43So we've got a company coming in and they're going to recycle all of the artificial grass.
17:48We've got instructions on them.
17:49Then we need to slice it up into smaller sections and stack it neatly on a pallet.
17:53You know, that going into a landfill is never a good thing.
17:55It's a little bit of expense, but in the long term, it's really the right thing to do.
17:59The fake grass will be collected and taken off to be recycled.
18:03Dermot's replacing it with a lovely oval lawn, which Danny and Susie need to get mapped out.
18:09We've marked the full length, peak to peak, if you like, of the oval.
18:12We've got these pegs in.
18:13Then we have a line, which is wrapped around the two pegs.
18:17And then we use the line with the spray to mark out the oval.
18:22Keeping the tension on the line, although it looks a bit wiggly at the moment,
18:27it's given us a fair, accurate line for half of the oval.
18:34Repeat the procedure on the other side.
18:38With everything mapped out, it's time to get stuck into the real graft.
18:42Laying hard core for paved areas and levelling out the ground between the two gardens.
18:47We're not finding much soil in this garden.
18:50Well, this is no concrete, so that's a plastic.
18:53Just no soil.
18:56As day one ends, the two gardens are now one.
19:00The path's marked out and the play area patios are taking shape.
19:04But there's still a mountain of work to be done.
19:07Tomorrow, Dermot and Chris will arrive to push things forward.
19:16Nice and green round here, isn't it?
19:18It is. It's lovely.
19:19Hopefully your garden's going to look like that soon.
19:22By the end of the day.
19:24Yeah, by the end.
19:25Wow.
19:26It kind of feels like it should have been always like this.
19:29It feels appropriate, doesn't it?
19:30Yeah, I completely agree.
19:32I mean, with that fence in the middle, they were both so pokey, weren't they?
19:35This just feels right.
19:36It really does.
19:37And a nice big shape in the middle is really going to bring everything together.
19:41Yeah, and all the plants, of course.
19:43So what do you want me working on today, then?
19:44The sensory area with that water feature is very important, especially for Ravina, but for all the children.
19:51So if you could do that, it would be great.
19:53I'm basically a big child myself, so it's a perfect job for me.
19:56I'm going to go and have a look at it now.
19:59Merging two gardens is no small feat, and today there's plenty to do.
20:05It's interesting when you're hundreds of miles away doing a drawing and imagining how the garden could be.
20:11And then you come and you see the actual plot, especially now the fence has been taken down.
20:17Removing the fence has turned these two small, awkward gardens into one large shared space.
20:23Dermid's design includes play zones for the kids, generous planting beds full of colour, and an oval-shaped central lawn.
20:31But there's one thing he's yet to decide on.
20:35I have to fit in that swing seat, but that's really important to the family, because Mum used to sit
20:41in that in her other garden.
20:43So to see it here, but it needs bedding in, and it needs a view of the whole garden.
20:50Dermid's original plan was a lawn swing for the kids, but, inspired by the family's story, he's making a change.
20:57Instead, opting to turn Venetia's mum's swing bench into a focal point.
21:02It's quite a big structure to incorporate.
21:04It is, isn't it?
21:05It's quite a bit of an idea.
21:06Oh, go on then.
21:07I think if we tilt this towards the garden...
21:12That's a nice outlet.
21:13...everybody could sit in this seat and just swing away, but also...
21:18Oh yeah, also. You've got a lot of also's today, don't you?
21:21Well, there's a few. If we lift some of the paving slabs here, and get some planting in there, and
21:26maybe a clematis or a honeysuckle around, that could be very sweet.
21:30It does sound really nice.
21:31Yeah, so if you go that way, and I'll go this way, and let's see if we get a jaunty
21:36angle.
21:38That could be it.
21:42Take a seat.
21:43Oh, it is a nice outlook, isn't it?
21:46In a way, you know, she will still be here.
21:49Exactly, I think that's really nice, a really sentimental spot.
21:52The trouble is, I could just sit here all day, I don't really want to do any work now.
21:55Well, thank you. Let's do that.
21:57First, another first.
21:58Oh, yeah.
22:01While Dermot starts lifting patio slabs...
22:05But given a patio of this age, God knows what's underneath.
22:10...Chris is getting hands-on with something a bit more playful.
22:14Now, I'm just putting together the water wall for the sensory part of the garden.
22:18Now, Dermot's gone for an off-the-shelf water wall here, which is great because you know exactly what you're
22:22getting, you've got all the bits, and it's really easy to put together.
22:26However, when it comes to making very fun kids' play equipment, you could easily make your own water wall.
22:33You could just get some simple bits of timber, make the frame, and then you could put anything on it.
22:38Bits of guttering, bits of bamboo, and then you could just have a bucket to pour the water down, and
22:43you could just have fun with it.
22:44I think you can get really, really creative, but for today, my job is really easy.
22:49I get to just follow some instructions and put this together.
22:53Now, where are we?
22:55I say it's really easy. I actually hate following instructions.
22:59I'm a typical man. I just love to chuck it all together, so I have to be quite patient on
23:03this.
23:03Across the garden, things are moving on. Danny is creating two circular patio play areas for the kids, while Susie's
23:13shaping the curved pathway that winds round the garden.
23:16More often than not, we do tend to use wood and edging for the gardens, but today I'm lucky and
23:24I'm getting to use this metal edging.
23:26I really enjoy using it. It's really versatile. It bends so I can make some lovely clean curves. It also,
23:33as you can see, is nice and straight.
23:36So, it's not cheap. A metre length is about nine pounds, but you get more in the way of longevity
23:45with it.
23:45I'm using it here to edge the path for the gravel, but you can use it on lawns and all
23:50sorts of things. It's great.
23:52The path is coming together, and so are the existing patios outside the house.
23:58Dermot's design keeps both originals, but where they meet, he's adding raised-herd planters to disguise the level change and
24:06serve both households.
24:07You look bored, Chris.
24:09Well, I'm done with all the child's play, you see.
24:12Could you play at being a carpenter?
24:15Oh, I don't need to play. I could do that.
24:16Yeah. Very good.
24:17We have this raised bed planned for here.
24:20Yeah.
24:20And the idea behind it is that we have paved areas on two different levels.
24:25Yeah.
24:26We want to melt them into each other, so what we do is something like this.
24:30I can do that.
24:31What's tricky about this is that, you know, all these slabs are different levels, it's a little bit dodgy, so
24:36there's going to be a fair bit of repair work in here.
24:38There was a capability brand, now we have capability Chris.
24:42Oh, yes. I'll take that.
24:45While Chris starts plotting his planters, Dermot's plan for Venetia's mum's bench is in full swing.
24:53So I've decided to go for one opening on either side, because once I've got into it, I've discovered really
25:00quite large that it'll sustain a huge amount of planting.
25:02And all I really want is a climber and some low-growing kind of Mexican flea bands that inhabit the
25:09terrace. I think it'll look good.
25:13With the holes dug and filled with soil, the legs of the bench will sit snugly in place, giving the
25:19climbing plants a chance to take root and wind their way around, softening the structure over time.
25:26Across the way, Chris is ready to get cracking with his raised planters.
25:30Now, it's not very often that you actually merge two gardens together, and that's why we have been left with
25:36this, which I would call this a dog's dinner.
25:38You've got one paving set on a different level to this one, and then all the mess in between where
25:43the fence used to run.
25:44So, the job that this bed is going to be doing, it's going to bridge the gap between the two
25:49of these, it's going to clean up all of this mess, and just make it a much nicer part of
25:53the garden.
25:54I think first off, though, I need to get all of these slabs out. Once I've done that, then I've
25:59got a nice clear spot for me to start building my bed.
26:04With the area cleared, it's time to start instructing the planters.
26:09Chris is using treated timber sleepers, a popular and cost-effective choice. Plus, their chunky shape makes them quick to
26:16build with, even for larger structures.
26:20As midday approaches, many of the key elements of Dermud's design that won over Venetia and Adam are taking shape.
26:28The curved path, the kids' play zones, and a layout that truly unites both gardens.
26:34I can't wait to see the garden. Particularly looking forward to seeing the girls just running round that path, hopefully
26:41burning a lot of their energy.
26:43I really, really want to see that water feature. I can't wait to see Ravi getting really stuck into it.
26:48You know what she's like with her water play. She's going to love it.
26:51I'll have a go as well.
26:53But the real thread that'll tie these two gardens together is Dermud's planting scheme.
26:59Oh, yes. Look at this. That's it. That is the garden at a glance, isn't it? These coreopsis.
27:06Oh, it's brilliant. That's what you wanted there, isn't it? That pops of colour, really bold, vibrant.
27:11It's just something that'll make you smile when you look at it, right? Yeah.
27:13I love the red-hot pokers, because you've got the mixes of heights as well.
27:16And also, I'm sort of trying to eye up some sensory things, so the grasses, I think, would be very
27:22nice.
27:22Yes, I think in beyond the fatties, there's probably something. I love those daylilies. They're going to be perfect for
27:27this garden.
27:27Just that vibrancy. What was really important was the colour yellow, any of those really bright Indian-type colours.
27:35Because whenever her mum saw yellow or orange flowers, she used to get Phoenicia to stand in front of them,
27:41always to have a photograph taken.
27:43And that's exactly what this is going to bring to the garden, those memories.
27:48For many people, that's what gardens are all about, memories.
27:51I completely agree. It's like a ray of sunshine.
27:54Just like you, Chris. Oh, yeah.
27:56There's lots of planting to get through, and it starts with the biggest shrubs, specially chosen to suit this family
28:03garden.
28:05There's a lot of fence panels in this garden, and most of it looks like it's had a quick trip
28:10to the tanning shop, and I want to tone down that colour.
28:14And the plant that I'm using is really a large shrub, and it's this one here.
28:19It's cantoniaster. This one is called cornabia, and it's fantastic because it's evergreen.
28:26In summer, in early summer, it's covered in small white flowers, and then into the autumn, absolutely covered in masses
28:33of berries.
28:34But the way this grows is what really interests me.
28:37It's growing spread-eagled against this fence, so it'll cover a multitude in no time.
28:44It's a very useful plant for my garden, for this garden, and for your garden.
28:49With a few tonnes of topsoil spread across the beds, it's time to position the rest of the plants.
28:56From bold, structural shrubs to soft, colourful perennials, everything is being positioned to unite the two spaces into one harmonious
29:04garden.
29:07Now, the most useful thing in the garden, isn't Chris, or me, is this little guy here.
29:14It's an amazing little geranium. This one is called Cambridge.
29:18And I thought, as we're in Oxford, it's appropriate to plant it in this garden.
29:21It's very useful because you plant it at the base of any other plant.
29:25It is a ground cover, so it will produce a pillow-like effect.
29:31And during the summer, when that's covered in these delicate pink open flowers that are great pollinators,
29:37what more could you ask for? Something very useful for your garden.
29:42Over on the patio, Chris is cooking up something tasty with herbs for the kitchen.
29:48Having these two planting beds here completely finishes off this section of the garden.
29:53And I really love that they're actually herb beds.
29:55It's got rosemary, thyme, the tomatoes over there.
29:59And one of my favourite plants to go in a herb bed is a bay tree.
30:03Now, bay are a Mediterranean plant and they don't mind being in hot, sunny, fairly dry soil.
30:10They're not worried about that. But you do need to control them a little bit
30:14because they will start to just shoot up here, there and everywhere.
30:17But in terms of growing it in here, in this quite small bed,
30:20what I would tend to do is just keep shaping the top of this bay as and when you want
30:27to harvest it.
30:28So every time you come and get a little sprig, just keep in mind that lollipop shape.
30:33But with some control, it will be absolutely fine in this bed here.
30:37Just want to give it a good water when it's planted and it will look after itself.
30:42As more greenery goes into the garden, out front, Danny's glad the fake stuff is on its way out.
30:51Right, this is the artificial lawn we're taking from out in the back garden for the recycling company to come
30:56and collect it basically.
30:57They drop off a bag and a crate, we load up the bags, then they send a courier out, they
31:02take it away for recycling.
31:03So it's a really nice way of making sure it doesn't go directly into landfill.
31:07I think it gets melted down and they reuse the plastics. It's good.
31:11Back in the garden, Dermot is packing the beds with colours that would have made Venetia's mum smile.
31:16As gardeners, if you go into a garden centre and ask, what colours do people have problems with in their
31:23garden?
31:23It's always yellow. Always, always yellow. Not in this garden.
31:27So we're using this coreopsis, a nice double frilly flower on it, because it's reminiscent of marigolds.
31:34Marigolds would be very important because they're associated with Indian culture and memory, and in this case with mum.
31:41So here, they're going to be having that effect that just induces the memory of somebody who really wanted to
31:51be here.
31:52So their spirit will be here, planted in the borders, and the yellow will never shine so brightly.
32:04As the boys continue planting, another key feature is being constructed.
32:08A wooden teepee that'll be a source of endless fun for the girls to play together.
32:14Alongside it, Susie's been tasked with laying turf for the oval lawn.
32:18Laying the turf down, it's a bit of an awkward shape, but it's amazing how you can make these straight
32:24rolls just go round corners.
32:25I simply roll it out, pull it to my edge, like so, and then just pop a crease in it.
32:37Get my knife, cut straight down the middle of the crease.
32:43Flop that over, and then cut down the edge.
32:49Pull the wedge out, and there we go. Simple as that.
32:53I've done it on all of them, and they all just follow around the curve nicely.
32:58Everyone likes a curve in a garden. It just helps with the flow of everything.
33:03The lawn will give the girls plenty of room to run around, and Chris is creating a planting zone just
33:09for Raveena.
33:11This area of the garden is particularly important because it's all about the sensory planting.
33:17So, in terms of the visuals, we've got bright colours.
33:20We've got the verbenas, the daylilies, and the dahlias there.
33:24Some really nice bright colours.
33:25And then, to play with the scent, I'm using the lavender down here.
33:29So, as you walk down this path and brush past the lavender, it will release that really lovely, calming scent,
33:35which will be perfect in this spot.
33:37I really like the Japanese blood grass in this zone, because not only are you getting that height and the
33:44movement of the grass,
33:45but you're getting that really striking contrast of colour with the deep red tops fading down to the bright green
33:51at the bottom.
33:53In terms of looking after it, they're actually quite easy to look after.
33:56They like a sunny, open position, and they don't really like being too wet.
34:01So, you don't want them in a sort of boggy part of the garden.
34:04I think this is going to be a really successful sensory scheme.
34:09While the planting sets the sensory scene, the real showstopper is Chris's water playstation.
34:16Oh, yes.
34:19Now we're talking.
34:20This is what I've been waiting for.
34:21All the fun stuff the child's play.
34:23Now, let's have a look.
34:25Top up.
34:26Yeah.
34:29Well, that's chaotic, isn't it?
34:32I think that's pretty cool, isn't it?
34:34I think this is the best water picture I've ever made.
34:39After two hard days of graft, it's all hands on deck for the final push.
34:45The last of the plants are going in.
34:48Tori's putting the finishing touches to the teepee.
34:52The curved path is being graveled.
34:56And the new lawn is getting a good drink.
35:00Chris and Dermot can finally sit back and admire their handiwork.
35:05Oh!
35:06That was tough, wasn't it?
35:08Yeah, but we got there.
35:09We did, and it looks so good.
35:12Especially sat here, right?
35:13It's hard to think of it ever having been two gardens, isn't it?
35:18No.
35:18Not possible.
35:19I don't believe it was.
35:20Yes, I know.
35:21There's so many different elements that it really needed a strong line to unite everything,
35:26so that you look at the part rather than the fence panels or the house.
35:30Yeah, yeah.
35:31No, I think it is a real, real triumph of a design.
35:34And I think everyone's going to love it.
35:36The whole family, kids.
35:37Well, hopefully it does the job.
35:39Well, let's see.
35:39Shall we go and get them?
35:40Yeah.
35:41Go on then.
35:45Venetia, Adam and Graham loved spending time together as a family.
35:49But neither of their gardens was making that easy.
35:52Venetia and Adam's was flat and lifeless, with fake grass and very little space for the kids to play.
36:00Graham's was low maintenance, but lacking in personality.
36:04But with their combined £6,000 budget, two gardens have become one.
36:12Where once a fence divided them, there's now a large family space, perfect for playtime, mealtimes and making memories.
36:21Venetia and Adam's side has gone from flat and boring, to bursting with colour, with busy flower beds, real turf
36:29and an elegant curved pathway.
36:32And on Graham's side, the plain decking and plants have been swapped for fun and flowers, with a teepee for
36:39the grandkids and bright blooms that honour his late wife.
36:44If you step forward towards me, I'll just take, yep, yep.
36:48Okay.
36:48But will the design meet the family's expectations?
36:51We have had a great time here. We feel very privileged to get to plan and create a garden for
37:00you. Would you open your eyes now?
37:03Whoa.
37:04That's amazing.
37:05Wow.
37:06That's so magic.
37:08Oh my goodness, I can't believe it.
37:12This is our garden. This is amazing.
37:17How have you done this?
37:20How have you done this?
37:21I know. How have you done this in two days?
37:25The difference is unreal. I mean, I can't even believe that there were two gardens here.
37:30So, would you like to take a stroll down the garden path?
37:33Yes, thank you.
37:35Graham's garden used to be simple and practical. A small lawn, a few low maintenance plants and a deck to
37:42sit on.
37:44Now, it's full of life with a bigger lawn, bright flower beds and a teepee for fun and games with
37:51the grandkids.
37:52The centrepiece is this oval rug of lawn and it's jam-packed with colours, so we have things like lavender
38:00and dailies.
38:01I mean, it's going to really transform the way the kids see nature and this feels like a garden to
38:08really raise three wonderful girls.
38:10This is really a garden that will grow with them, they'll be able to nurture the plants and teach the
38:15kids about it.
38:15It is going to look stunning in a couple of years' time.
38:18Will we have a wander round?
38:21Before, a fence split the gardens and kept the family apart.
38:25Now, that dividing line is the heart of the space.
38:29A curved path unites the two sides and a shared colour scheme across the flower beds ties everything together.
38:36Mum would love the dailies?
38:37She would and those colours, that's right up Mum's street, yellows and oranges and reds, it's perfect for her.
38:43What do you think about this pathway which brings you right the way round the garden?
38:48It's perfect.
38:49We'll probably see the girls just running round and round and round playing a game of chase.
38:54Talking about the girls, there is still plenty of play stuff, they have their den in the teepee.
38:59There's no way you're going to be keeping those twins out of there, even I want to get in there.
39:03We have a trampoline for them which can be moved in and out, so plenty of activity.
39:10Oh, they'll be thrilled with that.
39:11Venetia and Adam's garden used to be cramped and sparse, with little room for the girls to play.
39:18Now, as well as a trampoline and sandpit which are stored in the relocated shed,
39:22there's a sensory play area for Ravina and her sisters,
39:26with specially selected plants and a water play station where they can have hours of fun.
39:31Chris built this whole sensory area for you, not just the water feature, but all the planting here.
39:38It's amazing.
39:39And do you think it will be much used?
39:42Every day, before school, after school, it will keep Ravi entertained for hours.
39:47Well, this really is Ravi's area, so Siri, that she can come and really understand and touch and feel
39:53and maybe get a little bit of peace while the twins are in the teepee.
39:59I didn't realise having the unified garden would make the house feel so unified as well.
40:04It feels like it was meant to be, it doesn't feel like anything was forced.
40:08It's brilliant, it's so much more than we ever could have imagined.
40:11Great, will we go up the top?
40:14What was once two separate spaces linked only by a gap in the fence,
40:19is now one unified patio with Chris's picture on her beds sitting right in the middle.
40:25Looking round from here, how does it feel?
40:29Magic.
40:30It's absolutely magic.
40:32Is it a garden that paid tribute to your mum?
40:35100%. This garden embodies everything about mum.
40:39Everything here just sparks joy and makes us think of mum.
40:44It's absolutely perfect to pay homage to her.
40:46I hope the garden kind of captures her zeal for life, actually.
40:52It really does.
40:53This is what makes the job completely worth it.
40:56You get to transform a garden and you can see how much it means to them.
41:00Obviously I couldn't do this garden on my own with a brilliant team and of course Chris,
41:05who I gave all the really challenging jobs to.
41:08But he did a brilliant job.
41:09Chris!
41:13Chris, what do you think?
41:15Oh wow, thank you so much.
41:17Thank you so much.
41:18I can tell you like it.
41:19This garden is amazing.
41:21Just incredible.
41:22But what's your favourite bit?
41:23I think having mum's bench up there.
41:25Yeah.
41:26That's exactly where she would be.
41:28Just surveying the scene, watching the kids and I love it.
41:31It's perfect.
41:32Well, it's been a real privilege for us, hasn't it Chris?
41:35Definitely.
41:35We shouldn't stand here talking to you guys anymore.
41:38Don't you think we should get the girls out?
41:39Definitely.
41:41That'll be fun.
41:44Shall we have a look girls?
41:46Wow.
41:48What else can you see?
41:50We can't keep going.
41:51This chair is a big head.
41:52I think they're in shock.
41:55What can you see?
41:57If you tip the bucket from the bottom into the top.
42:00Let's go!
42:04Let's make it go faster.
42:05Alright, let's go look at the teepee.
42:08What's that?
42:09Come in.
42:11Graham, how are you feeling?
42:15It's hard.
42:18Wishing she was here.
42:20She would love this, wouldn't she, Dad?
42:23Absolutely bowled over by it.
42:25This just would have been everything for mum.
42:28This is what she always wanted when we talked about mum and dad moving here.
42:32It was so that she could sit comfortably and enjoy watching the kids having fun, playing, doing their thing from
42:40the comfort of her swinging chair.
42:42And this...
42:43She would have been blown away by this.
42:45Absolutely blown away.
42:47I can't believe it.
42:49Looks like it's going down well, doesn't it?
42:51I think it's your water session that's a really big hit.
42:54Look at that.
42:55Teamwork girls.
42:56I'm loving it.
42:57I want one.
42:58Yeah.
42:58I can make you one as well.
42:59Oh, go on.
43:01It's just everything we could have hoped for.
43:03We wanted a garden that was unifying our two houses together to make one home.
43:09And that is exactly what this garden does.
43:11It's amazing.
43:12The girls love it.
43:14Their excitement speaks volumes.
43:16It's a wonderful place for them to grow up.
43:18It's perfect.
43:21Go on girls, quickly.
43:23Run.
43:25Come back here.
43:43Look, it's okay.
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