The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie

Hi Jamie, I have a duplex with a small backyard. I recently obtained two little rescue dogs who love lying all over my gardent sunning themselves. No I have no plants. The soil is not good and nothing seems to grow anyway. But I would like to have a vegie garden and somewhere for the dogs to have for themselves. I need ideas for this and also would like somewhere for us humans to enjoy sitting out there. I need help with ideas and maybe someone to plan it all out for me so either I am able to do the redesigning and planting or someone who is experienced to do it for me. I need help. Thank you Regards Diana

hi jamie ,i am looking for a round wicker day bed can you tell me where i might find one please ...thank you clarice

Hi Jamie we need your help DESPERATELY.WE live in WYNDHAM WA very hot,dry and rocky. We live in a steel shed on 7 acres and as yet dont have any outdoor areas cool enough to get out and do things.PLEASE COME AND HELP ME.

I have just house downsized due to hardship and my daughters are grieving this loss. It's always been the 3 of us and they are growing up, however they love their home and garden. I've just got enough funds to fix the floors and walls. we are 3 and moving into a 2 bedder home, however we will be ok with this, but one thing I don't have the funds to do is a live in garden, where they could bring their friends and hang out in. They are both heading towards the musical and theatre and I would really love them to have a live in garden where they could play their instruments and hang out. Please do up my new backyard. Its totally flat, grass and an open canvass. My new house is located at Padstow Heights NSW. thank you. mum Andrea

HI, i think u guys do a very good job. I see you helping others all the time so i could not stop myself from writing to you. i was diagnosed with cancer last year and it has been a very though year.Since i am a stay home mom i spend my time usually in the house. i tried and renovated my indoors on my own but i have no energy to do the outdoors and our backyard is a sad looking piece of land. Since my lymph nodes were removed after my surgery i have less movement in one hand and i am unable to do gardening. please could you help me put up an easy to maintain garden???

Hi How about a show that caters to all the renters out there who would love to have a nice garden/back yard but are restricted and unable to change any permanent fixtures and fittings.

Hi Jamie. We are in desperate need of your expertise! My fiancé and I recently had a baby and my parents were very generous and built an extension onto their own home so my new family had somewhere to go. We had many complications during the build, due to council and builders, and the house inside is almost complete an the outside still needs a coat of paint. They had to extend their mortgage to do so, and I want to really show our appreciation by fixing the garden. The backyard being the extension has multiple concrete blocks that seal the septic tank, there are pipes sticking out of the ground for plumbing, and right outside the door sit the electricity meter, has hot water and tank meter. There are so many things sticking out of the ground that not only look horrible but are not safe for when my daughter is old enough to be running around. It is a big job, and we really need your help to fix our garden and do something for my parents that they really deserve, for their generosity and love. Please help us. Thank you! Gemma Victoria, Australia.

Hi Jamie, my husband and I have recently retired and have built a new home big enough to accomodate an increase of five grandchildren to raise.we live in Gympie Queensland and to, date have not been able to get any response from any landscapers.We have a reasonable budget to work with, and the problem now is my husband is about to tackle the job himself.Given our ages I am not happy for him to risk his health to do the job.We would like to do the gardens right as this will be the last home we build.WE watch your shows and are amazed at the way you transform peoples gardens.Hoping for a response cheers Eleanor

Hi everyone, Thank you for your questions to Jamie. You can ask him a question on his website at this link: http://www.jamiedurie.com/site/Forum_Home/Forum.aspx Thanks!

Hi Jamie, my name is Karen and I live in Sydney Australia. We have recently purchased a home that backs onto a golf course. The home and yard needs renovating badly and I was wondering if you or if you know of any reality shows that may be interested in helping us out. We have a decent budget to work with and know that this home could be something special. Your reply is greatly appreciated, Regards Karen912

Sorry Jamie,but i forgot to tell you ,our Garden Back-Yard, is so Barran,If Les saw how it is, it would upset him so much,as he put his heart and soul into the yards,But after 3 Years of him being very sick, he can't do anything. I just so want him to sit out there and enjoy his Favourite past-time.There's nothing to see now.in his Garden. Please Jamie,Can you Help us with a Back-yard Maintance Free Garden-Makeover,To Brighten My Darling Husband 's Life.Something that will bring that Smile back to his face again.And no more tears ,from him Hopefully.Thank-you Jamie, Regards Ramona

I Also Love all Your Shows, as you all Deserve so much,for giving to People. Each and every-one of you,do such Fantastic work in what you do in your Ownright. I really enjoy every Show.Merry Christmas To each and Every-one of you.And A Very Happy New Year 2012. Regards Ramona12

Hi Jamie, I Absolutely Love your Shows and Lifestyle ,the way you bring Tears of Joy to Peoples lives,how it makes a great Impact to their everyday living. Your the BEST JAMIE.I know how busy you are, but if it's not too much to ask,we could do with a Maintence Free Garden Makeover.I'm Beside myself, since my Darling Husband,Les, had a Major Brain Anuerisym,due to taking (VIAGRA,)as he has Diabeties.His NeuroSurgeon said to him ,'YOU SHOULD BE DEAD'.Les said you can't keep me down, but after 5-6 months later ,he had fluid build-up on his Brain. They put a Shunt into his Brain, only to have it taken out after 1 month, cause it was full of Goldenstaph.This has kept him down for Life now,He so loved his Garden, and did everything he put his mind to.He was in the Navy as a Lt Petty Officer Radiocommunicator, Then he was a Fire Brigade Officer ,( this is where we met )in charge of his own Station and Men.He was so Intelligent,and a very hard worker, and to see him like this, it breaks all our Hearts.He cries ,when other Traders have to fix things that goes wrong with this house.It Breaks all of our hearts and especially his and Mine ,and Our Children,and especially the Grandchildren,as he so enjoys having them all stay with us,(we were the only Grandparents that would Babysit Them and for weeks.)I so want his garden to be his Pride and Joy again for him,and Maintence Free, as i have to care for him 24/7,as he can't do anything for himself anymore and Personal Care too.Les has 2 Children,and i have 3 Children,and we have 11 Grandchildren,3 Girls and 8 Boys.I also have Bone problems,but i will be making shore that he Stays here with me, where we both belong.No one will ever take him away from our Home,This is where he belongs.I've already been kicked out of our Bedroom,due to his Hospital Bed and Standing Hoist.My Bed is the Lounge.But as long as My Darling is Here, I'll keep on keeping on. But it's so hard to maintain the Garden and House, and i now don't cook as he has a swallowing Problem and i have to buy his food in.The only time i can get to do things ,is when Les is asleep.Other than that ,i have to stay with him 24/7 so he doesn't hurt himself,as his Legs are Wobbly,from the Anuerisym and also a Stroke.Les has not been out of the house in 2 years.The Anuerisym was on November 14th 2008.Please help us Jamie, and Please don't any-one ever take 'VIAGRA'.People have died from it ,just by taking one tablet,to see what it does,They died that night from the same thing, " BRAIN ANUERISYM."I hope you can help us Jamie, Please we are so Desperate.Thank-you,for even reading my Letter .Regards Ramona.

Hi Jamie, Our $2000,000 pool had to be pulled out before it was even used(due to poor workmanship), the yard floods, the plants the landscaper planted have died due to poor selection. We need help with a new pool a cabana & landscaping HELP Mike

Hi Jamie I like your show very much, my name is Jiraporn or u can call me Noi, I have 2 boys and I moved in a housing just about 4 weeks a go, I know is housing maybe you not interesting to show to other people I just asking if u can help me because of my illness, house is old and no garden and my son did try something but is no money to do it, front and back yard to big to pay for someone do it so when i watching your show i love it very much....pls come and help me to make a front yard and a outdoor room for me to enjoy and hope mylife to stay longer.I am so sorry to asking you to help me but yes or no could u pls let me know thank you so much hope to hear from you bye for now.

Hi Jamie We live in bundaberg Qld with my 2 kids and our dog we have a big yard and alot of maintaing, i would love to have a self sufficent garden but i need help... please Jamie help my rugged lack of garden.

Hey Jamie Durie, My name is Lauren Brown we need you here in Australia! My parents work all the time on the garden and it's just getting no where they barely have any time for me and my brother and we always try to help them out but they have to keep up with their jobs and our social lives and when one job gets done just means another one comes up! Its got a lot of potential and we need someone creative to help us out and my mum and i love watching your show.

Hi Jamie,
I think some where along the past I had a written letter from you back in 2009 as I did apply for the out-door-room, but it was unsuccessful, if only there was a chance, I could win this time for our backyard make over, it really does need a lot of TLC from Narangba QLD would love to hear from you, Cheers From Cecile.

hi jamie, my name is helen, i watch your show i love it and love u ever.ever since i lost both my parents i let my back yard go dont like going there please come to wollongong and help me pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee

Hi Jamie,
I would love to surprise my husband with a backyard makeover, we have been married 45yrs this year. Kevin has worked hard since coming to Australia 30yrs ago, we moved to this home 18mths ago and he is struggling to get the backyard the way he would like it to be as he has been busy doing work inside the home.
He is always giving his time to family and various charities it would be great to surprise him.
Yours in anticipation
Patricia ''

Hi Jamie, we brought our very 1st house 5 years ago after renting for 32 years of married life, and i would love to surprise My Husband with a Beautiful back yard It would make our New House A Perfect Home...I Loved your work in the USA, so great to see so many wonderful gardens That you are so famous for...Love Maree ??? (*-*) ???

Hi Jaimie like most on this sit i would truley love for you to come finsh our backyard/outdoor room and i am a long time watcher of all your shows. my husband has started it but due to thing that have happened in life its been put on hold. we have a unique under ground house that comes out of the ground at the frount into a nice size court yard with some garden beds boarded by stone. this is our forever home and we would love for you to put your touch on yard/outdoors.

hi Jamie , I'm 14 and my name is Courtney ! my backyard is like really boring and needs some colour !! I watch your show all the time and love what you do ! next time you are in Australia please come and help us in melbourne :) ta

Jamie you are a legend with what you do to backyards I have to acknowledge you for what you do to people backyards and how you transform them and bring instant happiness to peoples lives. My partner and I have moved back to Townsville after I having being away from home for over twenty years having lived and work in various parts of Australia. I have been back home in Townsville for now five years. I had returned home to be back near my country where my mother and father came from. Sadly I lost my Mother two years ago who I miss so much. I think about her everyday. When I lost my mother who absolutely loved gardening and had travelled all around Australia to visit garden shows. My mothers garden had lots of plants planted in them after she had died my father did not want any part of them I guess it was he way of dealing with losing his wife who he had seen her plant them and had watched Mum water and care for them for nearly 50 years. So my partner and I had rescued what we could out of her Garden and sought have immortalised her through her plants rather than Dad getting rid of them. My partner Ksren has not had a good run either she has lost two brothers and one sister all through cancer her sister Robyn dying at 36 years of age, her brother Michael who died at 44 years of age and her brother Barry who wished to come home to Townsville to die who celebrated his 50th birthday at our home and died a week later. Karen's mother also lives with us who nearly 80 years of age. We live on 870sqm block with two entrances we live on a corner block it is quite large. Are you coming to North Queensland here in Townsville in the near future we need your expertise. My yard has great potential with the use of your hands, your mind and especially your creativity. I am Aboriginal woman who lives with my partner Karen of thirteen years who is also Aboriginal. This the first house her and I have ever bought. So we are trying to live the Aussie dream with mortgage prices rising our budget to do the things we had planned to see in our backyard has limited us. We have a patio which over looks the garden and backyard so when it rains it leaks and when summer hits here it is sometimes unbearable to sit under because of the heat from the roof. We utilise the space as best as we can because we love entertaining outdoors when ever we have friends and family over. When we first bought the house it was a dust bowl and there was alot of palms which is typical of north queensland gardens. We are very artistic minded love your use of outdoor sculptures,furniture, water features and your use of colour in the backyards. I love the show The Outdoor room and your other shows which are aired on TV and Austar. So Jamie if your here in Townsville could you come and rescue us I would love to have my fifieth birthday party here in my backyard which has the capacity to have a big party with lots of friends and family. I am thinking of luau party - hawaiian theme party with tiki huts for bars, pebble crete swimming pool that looks like a natural lagoon for people to swim in. People breathing fire from there mouths, fire walking and fire dancing, Fire pits laid around the yard, lots of pretty hula girls, hula dancing, underground cooking- Kup murri feast.

Hello Jamie, I am writing to you on behalf of my brother, his wife and their 3 year old son Jack. I come to you as their front and backyard is in need of a desperate makeover. Unfortunately, time has not allowed them to do much with the yard due to the constant attention Jack requires. He was diagnosed with a rare condition called Battens Disease, there is approx 33 children in Australia with this dreadful disease which is fatal and it breaks my heart to see that Jack has started to loose his motor skills and his words. This has shocked our world and has turned it upside down. I want to give something special to my brother and his family as they tend to spend alot of time outside. Jack loves being outdoors..any opportunity, he's out the door, on his swings, when he can, (he has good days and bad days). Most days he is required to wear his special helmet as he tends to fall over quite abit. So my question to you is whether you have it in your heart to come to my brother's house and create your magic by making a child friendly backyard for Jack and bring some happiness to the family. I truly hope to hear from you and thank you. Cheers, Jasmine

I actually don't like the show much, Durie comes across as a bit of an uptight control freak - like his whole life depends upon making it big in the States through this show. His two offsiders often look like they think he's bonkers and he really overuses useless expressions like 'ya know what I'm saying?' etc. Well, no actually - maybe if you articulated yourself a little better. He's lost the laid back aussie charm that made him a star in this country.

Hi Jamie
I have the most glorious view overlooking a spectacular horseshoe shaped seaside Bay with the backdrop of the magificent Flinders Ranges located in Regional South Australia. We have the pleasure of watching the dolphins cruising by every morning and every night. We have just built a neat party house with a challenging slope and even more challenging environment.
I have just planted 107 native shrubs at the back of the property that must be drought tolerant, salt tolerant, limestone tolerant and Kangaroo proof.! My Aridlands nursery man suggested I use plastic plants! I am about to embark on planning my 4 metre sloping, terraced garden in these challenging arid conditions. Are you up for it?
I often see fabulous advice regarding landscaping in dry conditions. We have temperatures regularly of 45 degrees in Summer. Now thats a dry garden challenge!
Give my a call if you think you can work your magic in such diverse conditons.
Cheers Shelley 08 86456802

my house was built in the 1970s and my dad just doesnt know what 2 do with the backyard... please help..

hi Jamie me and my family watch your show all the time and we have a backyard or garden that needs fixing or sorting out as we have 3 dogs and our yard is pretty boring we have a garden area but its pretty boring and we need you help plz plz plz!! :)

please please come down under and do my back yard, so we can enjoy it as we dont even go out their that how bad it is.

When oyure next down under Jamie please make a trip to the outback - we need you!!!