Mr Blodger, the gardener at Trundleberry Manor, decides to try a bit of topiary. It's all going very well until he falls off his ladder and breaks his leg. Because old Blodger is unable to work, Lord Trundle hires Horace Hoppit and Spike Willowbank, who are on holiday from school, as temporary gardeners. Horace and Hoppit tackle their holiday job with energy and enthusiasm, but things don't quite go according to plan.