Manchester

Charlie Dimmock and Chris Hull are in Manchester to help Janine and Jamie transform their garden. The space is quite large, with plenty of greenery and brown patches, but it often becomes unusable due to mud and puddles. There are no plants, as Janine and her family are not particularly skilled gardeners. Their vision? An all-seasons Canadian garden designed for a busy family of five.

Janine and Jamie want a modern yet warm garden that suits their hectic lifestyle of school runs, after-school activities and work. They love clean lines and hardscaping elements such as pavers, borders, rocks and bamboo, and vibrant colours throughout the year are essential. Janine especially misses the limelight hydrangeas she enjoyed back in Toronto. Functionality is key: the garden should allow the family to spend time outdoors and enjoy year-round barbecues. Practicality matters too: Janine wants the open wheelie bins hidden away so they don’t disrupt the garden’s overall look.

Janine and Jamie, along with their three children, have lived in their Manchester home since 2022. Janine works as a health and safety manager. Jamie is a business development manager. The family moved from Canada three years ago, settling in Manchester because Janine, originally a Mancunian, feels that she has come full circle. Having lived by the water in Toronto, they miss nature on their doorstep and hope to bring the colours of a Canadian autumn to their UK garden.

Can the team transform this large, dull space into an all-seasons Canadian garden for a family of five, all on a £5,000 budget?