If you live near Barnes Bridge or along Mortlake High Street, you will know the garden can feel either like a lovely extension of the home or, after a few wet weeks and a busy spell, a bit of a job that has got ahead of you.

Small gardens can be lovely, but access is often the bit that turns a simple job into a headache.

If you live on East Sheen Road, you already know the gardens in SW14 can be a lovely asset and a bit of a demanding one.

If you live or work near Mortlake Station, you probably know the feeling: one week the garden looks fine, and the next it's suddenly a bit wild around the edges.

If you've ever stepped onto your patio, mug of tea in hand, only to meet your neighbour's gaze over the fence (oh, hello again), you're not alone. Urban living brings people closer together.