If you have ever agreed a garden job and then stared at the final bill thinking, where did that come from?, you are not alone.

Period terrace gardens need a lighter touch than many people expect. They're often narrow, overlooked, and full of awkward corners, but they also have real charm.

If you garden near Forest Gate station, you already know the area has its own rhythm: busy pavements, pockets of shade, sheltered back gardens, and that odd mix of urban dust, wind tunnels, and surprisingly lush growth after a wet week.

Are you dreaming of a tranquil outdoor sanctuary, a dazzling alfresco oasis, or simply yearning for privacy on your balcony or deck?