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Gardeners' World 24th October
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Lonicera (U12312494) on Friday, 24th October 2008
Hello Everyone,
Here's a link to the Gardeners' World preview clip:
The show is full of seasonal tips for Autumn.
Come back after the show to share your views and don't forget you can also post comments on the blog:
Lx -
Message 2
Posted by MsSeahorse (U11657392) on Friday, 24th October 2008
Message boards are message boards, and blogs are blogs and never the twain shall meet. Just speaking from experience.
I can't understand the frustration at the beeb about blogs. If people are using messageboards then great! What a fantastic resource for production teams and researchers, and everyone really.
And we viewers enjoy reading the blogs of presenters, producers etc. Just that we might not want to comment. There might not be anything to comment about, which is okay I feel. There's still two-way traffic going on. -
Message 3
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Friday, 24th October 2008
So how many of us have any use for Joe's spot on bullrushes in a huge pond. Less than 1% I'll bet.
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Message 4
Posted by paperwhite (U6380063) on Friday, 24th October 2008
Apart from Toby's visit to Barnesdale the programe was VERY BORING! Showing us the wonderful friut trees was an ideal opportunity to show us how to prune trees like these but no, another fine opportunity missed.
I have to admit that I even considered whether I would watch the programe this week, I decided I would give it another go but can't say it was worth it. Even my 77 year old Mother said how poor it has become,saying 'it's just not the same,'
Alys needs to go and Joe more on design or go.
Ö÷²¥´óÐã pull this together or let hand it over to someone who knows what they are doing! -
Message 5
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Friday, 24th October 2008
I was looking forward to the visit to Barnsdale. How much shorter could it have been? What a rubbish program. One glimpse of Geoff what was the point of the pear picking. Please give us back a gardening program. Not a selection of 2 minutes clippings.
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Message 6
Posted by MsSeahorse (U11657392) on Friday, 24th October 2008
Oh guys it wasn't that bad! Though I did chuckle at making poor Alys attempt rosehip syrup kneeling down over a camping stove. I made a batch of this last year, and can tell you it is a tad more labour-intensive than a picnic in the garden! Well worth making it though, the flavour is superb.
I wonder how long before Joe tires of the new hippified GW. I love it but am guessing he doesn't. -
Message 7
Posted by paperwhite (U6380063) on Friday, 24th October 2008
How do I get onto this blogging item. I am so disgusted with tonights Gardeners World programe and I would like to 'air' my feelings. The worst one to date, dull boring etc!
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Message 8
Posted by michelle78 (U7007319) on Friday, 24th October 2008
Oh thank god. I thought because I am apparently the only one in the world not growing my own I would be the only one who found tonight's programme utterly useless.
Toby pruned a tree, incorrectly.
Jo did some pond maintenance. I don't have a pond.
Toby planted a liquidambar. I wish I had room for another tree, let alone one that reaches 30ft (metric anyone?!).
Alys made some rose hip syrup. Lovely - but I can't be bothered to make my own fruit jam let alone forage for rosehips and spend hours making it. Lovely to know it can be done though.
They dug up some sweet potatoes that hadn't done very well, and Jo and the production team couldn't be bothered to make sure they got the varietal names right. I don't have a veg plot.
Carol was for once the saving grace, doing something practical well, and giving timely and correct advice.
Oh sorry I forgot - you can mow up the fallen leaves. Top tip. Thanks. Wouldn't have thought of that.
Glad I cancelled my GW mag sub.
Grumpy Mich -
Message 9
Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Friday, 24th October 2008
I made some great rose hip and crab apple jelly (very PINK!) last week so it was nice to see the syrup version. But leave some hips for the birds, everyone, in winter, they need them too.
Otherwise, thought it was dull... please bring back Monty with another Fork to Fork type programme — looks like we're going to need him with the economy. -
Message 10
Posted by darren p (U8518743) on Friday, 24th October 2008
hey , grumpy michelle 78 . the show sucks big time BUT! the magazine is essential... you do sound peeved, i know ow you feel .
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Message 11
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
It's not good, is it? And I did want it to succeed. Maybe we're all being a bit impatient after having it so good after so many years. What a wasted opportunity not to have a few minutes of Geoff at Barnsdale. I couldn't see what was supposed to be wrong with the tree pruning. Seemed OK to me. But the pears. Just an excuse for a chat. Too much silly chat IMO, and not enough instruction and demonstration. Still if the programme deteriorates much more, I shall have to fall back on my GH videos.
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Message 12
Posted by Olearia (U3796136) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
In yesterday's programme we were given the seasonal advice to cover our ponds with netting to keep out the falling leaves. This always puzzles me, as we are also told that a pond is the best resource for wildlife.
If I covered up my pond I would be denying my garden birds and hedgehogs access to water. -
Message 13
Posted by Holbert (U3994703) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
It was a bit disappointing tonight.
Perhaps it will improve in the spring, when its extended to a one hour programme again?
I don't think I learned anything new tonight, which is v unusual as I'm not an expert by any means. But it was all v basic.
Oooh hang on, Joe briefly talking about the marginal plants was quite interesting, but that was it. -
Message 14
Posted by farmerfewy (U13172836) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I have always enjoyed GW, remembering my childhood days watching GH giving good sound advice on planting, pruning sowing etc. And my dear old mum saying it was the best tv programme going! However, now I can no longer mutter this, this weeks was sooo boring, can we get back to basics and do some actual gardening? Instruct us, educate us, inspire us like the programme used to, we want to look forward to watching this programme again not cringe at it, wishing it was more, so much more, and praise it like we used to.
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Message 15
Posted by janerowena (U10782401) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
Olearia, it depends on whether you keep fish or not. The water is completely unsuitable for fish if it has a load of decomposing leaves in it, it will kill them. If you have a purely wildlife pond, then it's fine.
As for tree-pruning, I have been doing it for many years and it's a little bit too early for most areas. The fruit trees need to be dormant and their leaves to have fallen, so now is just a good time to get rid of any obviously dead branches in advance. November to February is the best time, although nowadays the end of January is probably the limit for many southern areas. -
Message 16
Posted by sparklingsnowleapord (U3848262) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I loved the visit to Barnsdale it could have been a tad longer.
But although i watched all the program i found the rest uninteresting.
I like to see Joe on his allotment though were was his friend. -
Message 17
Posted by little-ann (U12937473) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
my gran used to say do it well or not at all.
nobody would make rose hip syrup in the garden!
i still don't know much about sweet potatoes!
i don't care about joe's allotment its not real!
i would love to visit barnsdale one day but it will have to be longer than last night!
i don't know what else happened i lost interest and read the message boards -
Message 18
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
Hello. I'm still waiting (and hoping) for things to improve, and it's all too easy to shoot the messenger, as it were, when the basic production values are being criticised.
I wonder whether one of the major difficulties is that there are too many "personalities" for a half-hour programme. In the past, the emphasis was on the garden(s) and not the presenters. Presumably it's the programme editor/producer who has the final say as to what we see. I don't know anything about TV production, and don't know whether some programmes are seen as less prestigious than others as far as a career in TV is concerned - sometimes I wonder whether or not GW is a bit of a poisoned chalice in this respect. It would be interesting to know whether or not the presenters themselves are pleased with the end result each week. Cheers! Ma. -
Message 19
Posted by toonia (U4760062) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I still get the feeling that I should be sitting crosslegged on the floor while listening to Toby, and put my hand up if I want to say anything.
Did he really say "take yer plant out of its potty"???? there was some "tickling" going on too.
In the words of Craig Revel wotsit D.U.L.L.
JRo -you can scoop the leaves out with a pond net, which is what I do. -
Message 20
Posted by Gardenballet (U4233452) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
Let's look for the positive!
I enjoyed watching Toby planting the colourful winter displays in the old logs. I really want to try that. It may be an obvious idea, but I had not thought of it.
Carol's section was good, collecting seeds and sowing.
I missed the odd shot of Alys's little dog trotting around. I remember seeing a cat strolling around with Alan Titchmarsh.
Wish the programme was an hour long now - it does seem so short.
Cheer up everyone - it's Saturday!
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Message 21
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I have to confess that I quite enjoyed last nights offering. The fact that the half-hour passed without me suffering any irritations was something in itself. The camerawork was just fine, and that has always been my main bone of contention. The actual subjects chosen for this programme were of no immediate interest to me, but I nevertheless enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the 30 minutes. Toby seems to be dealing with the little projects that most 'ordinary' gardeners come up against - not adventurous, but very relevant. Alys is just fine as a garden companion (as long as she doesn't get equal billing), and Carol is in her element with propogation matters (and how much better she is when she cuts out the over-enthusiasm). However, I find it difficult to forgive Joe for dragging the programme down during his allotment horror show, and I note that he's getting the family involved in some halloween farce next week (ye gads). Someone really should find a new opening for Joe - the door marked 'Exit'. I would be quite happy if the programme continued in the current vein, but we've all been here before, and it never does to assume any standard will continue indefinitely.
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Message 22
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I think the viewers expectations of GW are high, and rightly so being the Ö÷²¥´óÐã flagship (and only
)gardening programme, but come on if its informative, watchable and that they are going in the right direction both in content and presenters then I for one will give them the benefit of the doubt 
.
Camera work is much better, Toby is good IMHO, Carol has been tempered and now realistic, Joe is getting to be the gardener he always was rather than one half of a comedy, wisecracking, double act and content is pertinent- come on you easy going, understanding, fore-bearing viewing gardeners chill out!!
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Message 23
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I have to say I don't rate Joe at all as a gardening expert, though he does seem to have a level of design expertise. He is nice enough, an engaging character, but I have always thought he came across as a part-knowldgeable amateur being given projects to see how he got on with them. And sometimes what he produced looked half baked. And his allotment efforts were a lot less informative than I could get from neighbours on my allotment. I felt that Monty and the others treated him like an enthusiastic helper who needed a bit of guidance and watching. In a half hour programme there is no time for this light hearted stuff, IMHO.
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Message 24
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I have to confess that I quite enjoyed last nights offering. The fact that the half-hour passed without me suffering any irritations was something in itself........Â
I often thought we had a empathy Ken and we must have been drafting & posting our contributions at the same time - how concerning is that?
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Message 25
Posted by Dancing Dragonflies (U11928307) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I've been enjoying the series since Toby took over but have to confess I found this weeks programe a little dull. Stilton sat on my lap and snored all the way through it and he usually likes keep up with what is going on.
They really should have showed more of Barnsdale, I went for the first time at the start of last month and loved it. I've posted my photo's on the garden visits thread for anyone who was hoping to see more of Geoffs beautiful gardens...
Rach
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Message 26
Posted by SingingRiver (U9202892) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
This was the first time I've watched GW for ages. The two bits I enjoyed were the visit to Barnsdale (esp seeing the fruit tunnel, great idea) and the rose-hip syrup making. Now I think about it, the seed-saving bit was good too because although I knew it theoretically, actually seeing it done did make me feel it was pretty easy and I should give it a try.
The main presenter is new to me; not exciting to watch but not irritating either.
To my taste, there were too many items; I'd rather have fewer, longer bits. -
Message 27
Posted by little-ann (U12937473) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
thank you rach how lovely i really must make an effort to go
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Message 28
Posted by mcspanna (U7544489) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I didn't find anything particularly offensive in last night's programme but I have to say there wasn't much in it that was relevant to me...the results of the sweet potatoes could've been better covered with a quick verbal update which would've left time for something more worthwhile. Enjoyed Carol's slot and agree that Joe would probably be best sticking to what he does best...design. Really liked the tree arch and thought that could've been covered in a bit more detail as it looks like a great way to get fruit trees into a small garden.
Here's hoping for a better show next week. -
Message 29
Posted by stainedsteel (U12904524) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
"I would be quite happy if the programme continued in the current vein"
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Does that mean you owe an apology to Ms Edwards, Ken? -
Message 30
Posted by marcia (U2338697) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
Regrettably, I agree with the general theme of this posting. GW is quite boring these days.
I didn't learn anything from the programme last night. Nothing shown was of any interest to me whatsoever; let alone inspirational. I am pretty weary of Carol K. collecting seeds every week too and enthusing quite so much. I'm sure we all love collecting free seeds, know how to do it (or can guess!) and get great joy from getting lots of freebies but personally I don't need it spelling out week after week after week. Yawn.
I probably won't watch the programme ever again. I've made myself quite sad now...
Still, I have got some echinecheas (sp?) and marguarites to go in, thought I'd go for a bit "daisy" theme for next summer's borders
I got them from Parkers with 10 free Queen of the Knight tulips - so at least my whole life is not ALL doom and gloom.
I don't even like the new arrangement of the theme toon for GW either. -
Message 31
Posted by DibDobDeb (U2527950) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I've found best way to watch GW these days is to record it, then just fast forward through the dull bits and watch the interesting items - this way I only waste 2 minutes of my life and not 30!!
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Message 32
Posted by Wild_Poppy (U12213290) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
I must be one of the few to enjoy last nights programme. I especially liked the log planters, I would really like to try it some time.
The seed collecting advice was useful even if most people seem to think they already know what to do.
I liked the rose hip syrup section, pond section and Barnsdale bit. Even though they were only short I think they worked well, too long and people might lose interest.
As for Toby I think hes doing a great job! -
Message 33
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
Does that mean you owe an apology to Ms Edwards, Ken?Â
Does it ----ery. Ms Edwards should apologise to viewers if she actually has completed a U-turn in the way the programme is filmed (only time will tell), for putting us through such visual misery for such a prolonged period. If things have changed, then she got it woefully wrong for a long long time, and was at the back of the queue when it came to realising a change of policy was urgently required. She was pandering to children, when the majority of gardening enthusiasts are adults. I would grudgingly accept that it does take a bit of courage to change direction when this is tantamount to an admission of previous failure - but there again, she never has accepted she was getting it wrong. Never mind, she has a 'blog' - so she must be someone awfully important. If she can just give us back our signature tune, I may just be more forgiving. In the meantime I would continue to suggest that she should be considering her position. -
Message 34
Posted by darren p (U8518743) on Saturday, 25th October 2008
i am sure that monty wanted the new tune....it is growing on me!
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Message 35
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
Like DDD I tape GW and watch it later. Apart from Carol, there was nothing this week that really grabbed me although I was pleased to see Toby planting his tree in a huge hole filled with nourishment as I am having an ongoing dispute with a "newly passed RHS exam" lady that this would be the best way to plant the trees in our school garden. It will only help if she tuned in too though. Its one thing reading, its another thing doing.
I sit down with a mug of tea to watch GW when the house has gone quiet and I can really enjoy it. At the moment its nearly becoming a "programme to iron to". Not good. -
Message 36
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
I watched this very late in Friday pm and found it so unmemorable I had to watch it again this morning. The only decent bit was Carol and her seeds.
The leaves are already off most of the trees here, OH and I have worked very hard in previous years to eradicate bullrushes form our natural pond. Why anyone would cultivate this thug in a lined pond is beyond me. Why waste Alys on rose hip syrup? The info on the fern in the stump was dodgy. The bit on sweet potatoes has left me no better informed about whether or not they are worth trying in my garden, how to care for them to get a decent crop nor which variety tastes best. I just hope the RHS trial gets written up in The Garden.
Finally, the visit to Barnsdale was such a wasted opportunity. We don't need to be shown how to pick pears but it would have been so interesting to see the how and why of that fruit arch again. I loved it when that was first planted and have often wondered how it prospered and still dream of having one. The ornamental kitchen garden would be worth a decent visit too. -
Message 37
Posted by Pete-Free (U7363826) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
It looks as if Mr Tickle and his team are in a tad of trouble.
The BARB summary of viewing figures also confirm the disappointing downward trend for GW.
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Message 38
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
I too taped it and watched it later - allowed me to fast forward through the bits I've seen a hundred times before - like planting bulbs in pots - but I'm not saying the prog shouldn't show things like that for beginners.
Some things have improved - the camerawork is much steadier - (apart, alas from the Barnsdale bit, where it felt as if I was being wheeled on a fast shopping trolley through the arch. Like many others, I would have appreciated a bit about how to make a fruit arch, not just someone walking quickly through it going ooh and aah) - and the programme makers have been much better at flagging up plant names, often said by the presenters with Latin and common name, and shown in text too.
Outdoor cook and eat sessions - thumbs up. Even if it was cook and drink. Rosehip syrup good for starters - lets have some of that seasonal veg cooked on site too. (I don't think this will happen, as it's catering for a minority taste - but if we can have someone making an ice-bowl with flowers . . ..)
Won't the agapanthus seeds take years and years to turn into actual flowers??
And Toby was right re planting a tree - there's a lot of conflicting advice about whether or not to put extra nourishment into the planting hole; if the programme was a bit longer . . . he might have been able to explain the different schools of thought; some experts say putting nourishment around the root ball stops the tree roots from searching further down into the ground for food, and so slows new root production.
Why put a cyclamen sideways into a tree stump? Its thickish stems will struggle to get vertical again - much easier for slender-stemmed plants, eg winter pansies, campanulas, ferns, aubretias -whatever. -
Message 39
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
Agapanthus should take about 3 years to flower from seed.
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Message 40
Posted by bookhimdano (U10771514) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
another great programme. good to see everything coming together. its getting better every week.
Perhaps it might be helpful to say when you talk to someone while they are talking do you move forward or back or circle around them? No. So a camera shouldn't either while someone is talking. A steady camera helps the older viewers to concentrate on what is being said. The fact people still tape the show rather than use i player shows the demographic? For some people watching gardening is therapy.
if you have more material than can fit in the show why not put it up on the website? Gardeners have greater attention spans so one can take time to tell the 'gardening story'. Its the way forward. Its how programming will be in 10 years.
Good show. well done. -
Message 41
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
Good idea about extended items on the web but not on iPlayer as this is only available to UK residents. There's a large audience in Eire and on teh continent who cannot get iPlayer.
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Message 42
Posted by Eastyman (U6799887) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
One man's meat is another man's gravy I suppose. I thought it was far from a great programme and that there was danger of slipping back into the old camera bad habits. They still can't resist moving the camera round and round and in and out and therefore missing what the presenter is demoing. How difficult would it have been to found a branch that Toby could cut on the same side as facing the camera to talk. There were a couple in the log planting as well. My other half remarked it was as though they use trainee directors on the show
It's a shame as this used to be a must see in my house, I can't be bothered now. Others have posted that much of the direction is to create mood and make it compelling. Well it put me in a bad mood and compelled me to go and do something else instead!
I watched a rerun of an old GW with AT the other day - they knew how to frame a shot in those days. -
Message 43
Posted by bookhimdano (U10771514) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
...here's a large audience in Eire..
not paying a licence fee?
i think i player is for shown programmes rather than extras so one suspects it would be on the website. it still might be uk only which is only fair. alternatively they could put it up on the bbc ytube site? -
Message 44
Posted by bookhimdano (U10771514) on Sunday, 26th October 2008
give Claire's Allotment on ytube a go. start at part 1 and work through.
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Message 45
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Monday, 27th October 2008
This week's programme (in every sense) boring, character-less, lifeless, flat (except for CK, of course).
I for one am counting the weeks until Spring and the return of Beechgrove. -
Message 46
Posted by little-ann (U12937473) on Monday, 27th October 2008
what is beechgrove please
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Message 47
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 27th October 2008
It's the gardening progamme from Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland and goes out mid week from about April to September. It's practical, informative, well organised and gives regular reports on trials of plants and methods amongst other good stuff.
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Message 48
Posted by Dancing Dragonflies (U11928307) on Monday, 27th October 2008
Beechgrove is a Gardening programme on the Scottish Ö÷²¥´óÐã that is quite frankly much better than GW. It is usally available on i-player when it is running. I believe there are some radio shows associated with it too.
You need to ask Amazing when she's about -
Message 49
Posted by little-ann (U12937473) on Monday, 27th October 2008
thanks A R if thats who you are
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Message 50
Posted by little-ann (U12937473) on Monday, 27th October 2008
thanks again i followed the link it looks good but i dont have time to look at it all now
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