Real Gardens

Real Gardens was a gardening TV show that was on our  television screens on Channel 4 from 1998 - 2000 and ran for 3 series. 

It was to be a different sort of garden makeover show than the popular Ground Force that had appeared on our screens the previous year.

Real Gardens: Episode 1

Ann-Marie Powell - Stockport, Mike & Alison, back garden

In the outskirts of Stockport lives Mike Woodall a TV Engineer in a 3 bed semi, bought a year ago. 

With plans to redesign both the interior and garden over the summer.

 His fiancée Alison Buckley a Chef, who will move in after they are married next year both have lots of work to do in their 125ft overgrown garden.

Real Gardens: Episode 2

Ann-Marie Powell - Harrow London, Lisa Dominic Sophia & Grace, Children's Garden

Lisa Jacobson bought her terraced house in Harrow, from her mother 2 years ago. She lives there with her husband Dominic and daughters Sophia and baby Grace. 

Sophia loves being out in the garden and helping her mum to weed. Lisa after being pregnant last summer has yet to start work on the small, narrow back garden.

Real Gardens Episode 3

In this weeks episode of Real Gardens episode 3, Ann-Marie Powell is in Stockport, to visit Mike & Alison.

Returning to Mike & Alison's back garden from Episode 1 where the couple are not only doing a garden makeover but the house as well as they are due to move in after their Spring Wedding.

In Episode 1 Ann-Marie Powell played lumberjack and cleared the trees blocking the lovely views.

The couple have been busy clearing the bottom of the garden, they are now ready to start the vegetable beds

Real Gardens Episode 4

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 5 Ann-Marie Powell is in Harrow London, to visit Lisa, Dominic Sophia & Grace.

We return to Lisa Jacobson small back garden from Episode 2. Lisa has a young family and struggles to make time for the garden. 

She tries to do things in the garden with the Sophia her eldest daughter or when the children are playing safely in the garden. She wants a bright fun garden for the children.

Real Gardens Episode 5

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 5 Ann-Marie Powell is in Stockport, to visit Mike & Alison.

With the UK having the wettest April on record we return to Mike & Alison back garden from Episode 1 & Episode 3. 

The engaged, young couple are not only transforming their house but also their back garden for when they move in, after their wedding next year.

Real Gardens Episode 6

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 6 Ann-Marie Powell  is in Harrow London, to visit Lisa Dominic Sophia & Grace.

Lisa Jacobson from Episode 2 and Episode 4 has been busy in her Harrow small back garden making a safe child friendly garden for her 2 young children.

In the last Episode Ann-Marie Powell helped Lisa move and customise a unique style shed playhouse! 

Real Gardens Episode 7

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 7 Monty Don is in Guernsey, to visit Liz & Rod, in their garden with a lake view.

Liz Collenette lives on the island of Guernsey which is 80 miles south of Dorset and has a wonderful climate.

Liz & Rod moved to Vale Pond House, 20 years ago and the garden had been neglected. 20 years on it is looking very different. 

Real Gardens Episode 8

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 8 Carol Klein is in Devon. to visit Adrian & Debbie and look at their hanging baskets'

Adrian & Debbie Taylor sloped Dartmoor garden we last visited in Episode 6 when the orchard was planted. 

They love entertaining on their large deck but Debbie wants the garden to have more WOW factor and would like to open her garden to the public.

Real Gardens Episode 9

In Real Gardens episode 9, Ann-Marie Powell is in Harrow, to visit Lisa, Dominic, Sophia & Grace.

Its now June, when we return for the final time to Lisa Jacobson small Harrow back garden which featured in Episode 2, Episode 4 and Episode 6.

Real Gardens Episode 10

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 10 Monty Don is in Guernsey, to visit Liz & Rod, in their Garden with a lake view.

Liz Collenette has adapted working in her Guernsey Lake side garden around her back problems of 12 years. 

She no longer does any hard manual digging but relies on a 4 inch trowel to keep her amazing garden weed free.

Real Gardens Episode 11

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 11 Monty Don is in Huddersfield, to visit Adam & Katie & family.

Adam Waterman met Katie a Solicitor while working at Huddersfield University. That was 5 years ago, they are now married with 4 young children, Poppy-Anna, Harmony, Zack and Tarais. 

Real Gardens Episode 12

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 12, Carol Klein is in Devon at Adrian and Debbie's garden.

Debbie and Adrian Taylor sloped garden in Devon has amazing views of Dartmoor from their decked terrace. 

The busy police officers and parents to baby Emily moved to the bungalow 3 years ago.

Real Gardens Episode 13

In this weeks Real Gardens episode 13, Monty Don welcomes us to RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

Monty Don is in Huddersfield, for a visit to Adam & Katie & family.

We return to Adam Waterman garden in Huddersfield which we visited for the first time in Episode 11.

Real Gardens Episode 14

This weeks episode of Real Gardens Episode 14 it is an hour long special returning to see some previous featured gardens and their gardeners.

Monty Don is in Liverpool, to see Annabel, Nick & their 4 children, for a return Visit

Annabel Waynne Jones lives in the suburbs of Liverpool and when the programme first visited her garden it was split into 2 separate gardens.

Real Gardens Episode 15

In Real Gardens Episode 15, Ann-Marie Powell visits Cotswolds to see Dilys and her Town garden.

Dilys Wilson moved from the countryside to a ruin of a Cotswold town House a year ago. Dilys has been renovating the house and took just 6 months to complete before starting on the garden

Real Gardens Episode 16

In Real Gardens Episode 16, Monty Don visits Guernsey to see Liz and Rod and their Garden with a lake view.

Liz Collenette has a 2 acre garden with stunning views of Vale Pond in Guernsey and it has been Liz and Rod's home for the last 30 years.

Real Gardens Episode 17

In Real Gardens Episode 17, Monty Don visits Huddersfield to see Adam, Katie and family to see their children's jungle playground

We return to Huddersfield to the allotments and garden of Adam Waterman who we last visited in Real Gardens Episode 15.

In this episode the organic gardener was tackling pest problems on his allotment and adding acid loving plants to a new border.

Real Gardens Episode 18

In Real Gardens Episode 18, Monty Don visits Guernsey to meet Liz and Rod and see their Garden with a lake view.

Liz Cornett garden overlooks the beautiful Vale Pond in Guernsey.

Her borders and 75ft greenhouse all benefit from the mild climate.

Real Gardens Episode 19

In this episode of Real Gardens, Monty Don visits Leicestershire to see Joanne and John for a return visit.

Joanna and John Crane's beautiful garden in Leicestershire has been their home for 13 years.

Their garden was featured in a previous series of Real Gardens.