Alan Titchmarsh and the Love Your Garden team helped a couple who have fostered more than 150 children with an emotional Secret Garden-inspired makeoverAlex Evans Deputy Audience Editor and Adam Cailler Senior reporter and MSN lead
13:16, 17 Mar 2026Updated 13:16, 17 Mar 2026
Alan Titchmarsh on ITV’s Love Your Garden(Image: ITV1)
It’s one of Alan Titchmarsh’s garden transformations that’s become the stuff of folklore. The horticultural legend and his crew descended to rescue yet another dismal outdoor area desperately requiring a complete revamp – though not every watcher was sold on the final outcome.
In what’s now regarded as a timeless instalment of ITV1’s Love Your Garden, Alan assisted pensioners Rob and Margaret Isdale from Grantham, who’ve remarkably fostered over 150 youngsters during the past 45 years.
Considering how this remarkable duo have supported countless generations of children in finding homes, Alan alongside co-presenters Katie Rushworth, David Domoney and Frances Tophill were determined to transform their property’s bland and uninspiring courtyard into an enchanting area drawing inspiration from The Secret Garden, hoping to give back to a couple who’ve contributed so enormously.
The fake ruins added to the garden(Image: ITV1)
Alan’s vision involved converting their outbuilding into a faux Tudor-style structure, whilst incorporating numerous weathered ‘pillars’ constructed from brick, or as Alan described them, ‘ancient looking follies’ that would essentially introduce plenty of ruins to the space – artificial ruins, naturally, reports the Express.
Alan explained to audiences: “I want this new garden to make them feel as cared for as the children who come to their home.”
The finished garden certainly appeared dramatically enhanced, yet not everyone was impressed with the outcome, particularly the artificial ruins crafted from brick and the shed designed to appear medieval, despite its modern origins.
Viewer @besidetheriver commented: “Omg! The Love Your Garden people ruining that lovely garden … with bricks and concrete! No thank you!” @lally55p commented: “It’s too crowded and busy for me but as long as they like it.”
At the episode’s conclusion, Alan revealed the transformed garden to the pair.
Rob and Margaret were left in tears(Image: ITV1)
The duo, upon witnessing the garden, instantly became emotional as they exclaimed to Alan: “Goodness me! It’s the best I’ve seen it looking. Woah.
“Thank you so much. I can’t believe it – it’s just….” Alan then revealed to them “and we found the ruins of an old abbey in your garden.
“Brilliant!” Margaret then chuckled. Rob responded: “I knew it would be special but that’s extra special. Thank you so much.”
Alan and his crew then welcomed dozens of the 150 foster children that the pair have cared for to view the garden for a heartwarming and enormous family gathering.
Love Your Garden remains accessible to stream via ITVX catch-up service.
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