The first series commences when Brian (Warren Clarke) and Faith (Pauline Quirke) Addis buy Silverdale farm so that they can grow their own flowers. Eventually they are forced to make a tough and unexpected decision to hand over the running of Silverdale Farm to Brian's brother, Matt Brewer (Ian Kelsey) and his new wife, Frankie (Angela Griffin).

As the Brewer family soon discover, life in Silverdale is neither dull nor simple. Matt's three children find it difficult to adjust to their new stepmother. Frankie herself, initially takes some persuading to move away from her urban existence into the heart of the countryside, but once she agrees she grabs the opportunity with both hands.

Matt, in the meantime, desperately wants to implement his new plans for the Salad Days business which the Addis family bequeath him. However, progress is slow and overnight success seemed impossible. They moved back to the city in order to make ends meet.