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I no longer run into the house at 8 on Friday evenings, throwing down the trowel and kicking off the boots. I used to always go away with some little tip or trick from Gardener's World -- every time I would learn something useful. Now, I don't. I think they are catering for the new gardener (and specifically veg gardener), which is fine. But maybe they should have a weekly new veg gardener programme then. I miss the segments that would really show you how to make something or grow something -- even when they went way over my head and used really long Latin words. They don't do that anymore. Don't get me wrong -- I really like Toby Buckland, in print. He used to write the most useful pieces in Kitchen Garden mag and others on how to use old junk to make nice garden things. But is it him or his producers that have him scurrying around planting up a crappy barrel of flowers in under 30min? I swear, this type of stuff makes me crazy. I don't find it interesting or useful or in any way relaxing. And I do like Carol Klein. If i could meet any of them on there at the moment it would be her. Her wealth of knowledge about propagation is incomparable and this would be my particular area of interest, so might be a bit biased. I think someone earlier said something about letting her show that and not doing it in bitty segments... I completely agree. And this school thing they have her doing at her house/nursery is dullsville. 10 minutes watching them dig out and split up Hemerocallis, for chrissake. And Joe -- he just reminds me of his father so much that I sometimes giggle when I look at him (you remember Hyacinth Bucket's long suffering husband?? Joe's dad.) I think they have just tried to modernise the show and maybe I'm showing my age, but it just feels cheap and a bit cheesy (what's hot, not -- also boring). I don't want them to bring back the days of spraying everything with simazine and glyphosate... but the show seems to have lost its way. Having aired my views I'm feeling a bit sheepish now... when was the last time you paid your British TV License fee????
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I'm enjoying the new series of Gardeners' World. I guess it helps that I like Toby Buckland.
Toby is a lot more credible than Monty Don, as far as I'm concerned. Seeing Monty digging never inspired me with the belief that I could actually do it myself. What with his slightly manic manner and enormous frame, he never really convinced that gardening was for the average punter. I guess I was put off Monty slightly by that other series he did where he tried to rehabilitate drug addicts through gardening but decided that, in the process, he should also stop them eating sweets. God, if I gave up the sugar very little gardening would get done in the garden.
I don't like the new Gardeners' World bias to veg growing, however, and concord with others that I would love to see a more in depth program on propagation. But the switch to veg happened longer ago than this series, as far as I'm concerned. I like Joe and have come round to Carol - if only she's put the stress in the right part of the sentence when she speaks! Like Alys too, despite the mad soups to kill weeds before they go on the compost and the fact that she just rid her own garden of all purple foliage. I guess purple foliage is no longer cool but I still really like it.
What's hot & not - like it but what about once a month as gardening trends don't really change weekly. 30 minute fix - smacks of a make-over program and I would have thought Gardeners' World was a bit better than that.
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As regards Monty Don and gardeners World, after dear old Geoff Hamilton and humourous and enthusiastic Alan Titchmarsh, Monty was a very dour note and I agree he is manic and probably obsessive. I never warmed to him and, after years watching the programme I rarely tune in now. I find the current presenters preachy and cliquey and the content of the programmes does not inspire. Carol is warm and well informed and should have her own programme but the others , whom I dont really dislike , make the show a bit too jolly in a way. A bit sort of " come on chaps lets have a go" and I think I am past that stage now. Why dont we have an Irish garden show.?We used to have and they were good and relevant to conditions here. I have been gardening since I was a child and spend a lot of time advising people new to gardening. We need a home grown show, if you pardon the pun! I suppose miserable old RTE are only intersted in crappy American shows and makeover stuff. I know Diarmuid Gavin (not keen on him either a bit too full of himself) has done some shows and there was "I want a garden "(another makeover) but we need a good basic informative show without any silly gimmicks. Gardens grow and develop and are ever changing, Quick fixes are no use if there is no knowledge there to maintain them Anyway thats my opinion for what it is worth. y the way I do enjoy the Irish Garden Mag, Very good,
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I agree wholeheartedly with you, Brenda.
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I absolutely agree with Brenda, it is high time we had an Irish gardening programme. I really enjoyed the series a few years ago (presented by Helen something?). While BBC Gardener's World is enjoyable, the climatic conditions in the English midlands where it seems to be filmed are quite different from our damp rainy environment. I would much prefer an Irish gardening programme focussed on local tastes and climate. Love listening to Gerry on the radio but it is not the same as actually seeing what is going on!! Enjoy the good weather, happy growing
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I'm out of the loop in this discussion, although I've had the opportunity to see Monty's "Round the world in 80 gardens" here in Canada. Terrific concept with some memorable moments in particular the old lady's garden in Australia. She and her garden were a great story. Yet, I agree with Brenda that Monty was way to manic and over the top. Could have done better given the opportunity this theme allowed. Brilliant concept though. Should have a "Round Ireland in 80 Gardens" even throw in a bit of humour like in the great book by Tony Hawke "Round Ireland with a Fridge".
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To bonniecat - that was probably Helen Dillon - you should see her garden in Dublin (Ranelagh) - worth a visit!
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