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WE WANT YOUR IDEAS
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Message 1.Â
Posted by GW Muse (U13883906) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Dear MessageBoarders,
Hopefully this is one topic you should all quite enjoy. I'm part of the GW team and currently working on a 1hr 'Special' called 'For the Love of Gardening'; based on an idea first spotted here on the message boards.
It will be a gentle look at the nation's obsession with gardening, a nod towards 'Grumpy Old Men' and 'Grumpy Old Women'. A heated and informed debate about all things horticultural - gardening, gardeners, designers, gardens...
I've already got a list of potential subjects to cover - including show gardens (inspirational or just too damn artificial/impractical?), organics vs chemicals, a look at historical grumps (e.g. the famously tetchy 19th century garden writer William Robinson), TV's obsession with youth….
Forgive the "meeja" speak - we're looking to make a warm and amusing film, contrasting critics with obsessives; no agenda, just listen and let the viewers make their own minds up.
So - rant away! Let us know what and who you think we should include. This is NOT a vicious programme, we're not out to be horrid to anyone - although gentle mickey taking definitely is definitely on the menu! -
Message 2
Posted by Jenks812 (U5452843) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Didn't I see this programme last night on Ö÷²¥´óÐã4?
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Message 3
Posted by toonia (U4760062) on Monday, 30th March 2009
If you do read the message boards you will have read that most of us want a gardening programme which is full of practical and seasonal information.
Not a low budget talking heads type programme of people moaning. -
Message 4
Posted by phyll_ostachys (U12011174) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Hi GW Muse - welcome to the boards. Interesting subject for a special. I'm guessing this will be shown when the weekly show from Greenacre is off air later in the year?
Is variegation on your list? That always seems to divide gardeners. Me, I don't mind silver-green variegation (why is it that it feels more natural somehow?), but gold-green is definitely a no-no in my garden. The garden inspirations board also tends to offer lots of loves/hates... Best Phyll -
Message 5
Posted by holidayjojo (U9985821) on Monday, 30th March 2009
People who just do it. No plan, just plonk things in and see if it looks right. Mistakes eg forget-me-nots looking wonderful until they take over the garden. People who dig up a piece of lawn to grow veg, complete with a bay tree and a few herbs and don't have raised beds, or the obligatory plank that tv gardeners always seem to have lying around.
Waiting to see what comes up because you have put so much in you can't remember, no themes, just gardening. -
Message 6
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Although like many others, I'm suffering from complainer fatigue, I'll certainly willingly provide a short list of those areas which have been causing me concern over the last few years.
1) Abysmal camera work. Flash / Blur/ Zip/ Swirl - all this on programmes which are supposed to be about representing the beauty of nature. It really is hellish when a person has to look away from the screen on a gardening programme. When we buy a gardening book, we wouldn't expect to have blurry photographs within, so why the hell do we have to suffer them on a TV programme. I would estimate that the equivalent of an entire programme is lost every year in 'fuzz'.
2) Presenters who always require to emphasise how 'passionate' they are about the subject. We're all passionate about gardening, but have no need to bore the pants of others by going on and on about it. If they're good enough, this aspect will shine through.
3) Presenters who constantly flap their hands about as if sending a semiphore message (stand up Carol Klein) or repeatedly punch the air in mock excitement.
4) Flower Shows. The regular coverage of the major shows is in effect a chance to bore the pants of the majority of viewers by showing us silly little gardens that cost a fortune and are given equally silly names for the occasion. With decades of gardening experience behind me, I can say honestly that I've never seen anything in a show garden that has ever been of interest to me. The normal accompanying discussion by the 'experts' tends to be sick-inducing.
5) The current trend to invent any which way to get family members into a programme. I'm certainly not interested in their families, and would just wish to see a sensible programme about all aspects of gardening.
6) TV Garden Designers in general. These people could put the 'King's New Clothes' in the shade when it comes to pulling the wool over many people's eyes, and giving the whole profession a bad name. It would seem that these 'personality' designers look to see what everyone else is doing - and then do the opposite. Everything comes around again eventually, and I've yet to see a designer that wasn't completely 'up himself'.
7) The obsession with change. Recently the theme tune for Gardeners' World was changed. In all the years I've been contributing to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Messageboard, I can't recall one complaint being made about the theme tune, but out it went for no reason other than someone wanted to seperate the new programme from the past. Regular viewers would have told them that it didn't need new music to emphasise the deterioration in quality.
8) Lack of all-year coverage. Any decent gardener can tell you that there is always something that could be getting done throughout the year, but GW goes into hibernation - and the length of hibernation seems to be getting longer every year. Perhaps the principal presenters have their fingers in too many pies, and can only give so much of their time to GW. If this is the case, then there are plenty of other qualified people (some on this board) who could surely be called upon to offer some seasonal advice during the winter months.
9) A wonderful opportunity to extol the virtues of an allotment was completely lost this year, when they placed a novice (numpty) in an allotment, and permitted him to make every mistake in the book. It might have been advisable to buy Joe Swift a gardening book before sending him to the allotment. To make bad worse, somebody thought it would be a good idea to have Joe constantly talking to some mysterious person lurking at the side of the camera - which is both farcical and off-putting.
10) I've no problem with Alys Fowler, but I'm sick and tired of seeing her bike and dog. It would seem that everyone has to have gimmick these days, and while I appreciate that it may market the girl in some people's eyes, to me it simply fritters away another few seconds of precious gardening time every week.
11) Theatrical 'grunting' when digging a little hole. I'm no spring chicken or Mr Universe, but I do seem to be in better shape than any TV gardener.
12) Unusual gardening clothes. In the case of Sarah Raven and Carol Klein, I can't believe that their choice of 'individual' clothing is no more than a marketing ploy for themselves. Perhaps everything Sarah does is no more than a marketing ploy - smart woman.
I really that feel I could go on for ever, but I'd better get out and get a bit done myself (without any audible grunting). -
Message 7
Posted by keanegardener (U2963540) on Monday, 30th March 2009
When I see a gardening prog I want to remember the content not the presenters.
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Message 8
Posted by Dame Wombat (U2332024) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Excellent Ken! I think you've passed the audition to present the new programme.
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Message 9
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I'm glad I read Ken's post before it get's moderated ;-D
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Message 10
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I would like to see a slot where message boarders either grump or enthuse in public - raise the profile of the message boards as well.
Definitely need Trillium, Giantrowel and Crouchee to do some stuff as well, as long as you are willing folks?
You'd be great. -
Message 11
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Hello GW Muse. I take it you have just jumped in headlong without ever reading anything on these boards about what gardeners and viewers of GW would like to see.
My television serves neither as wallpaper nor a tranquiliser. I expect the programmes I watch to entertain and/or inform and/or inspire me. The kind of programme you are planning sounds about as scintillating as anaglypta or artex.
After the last 4 weeks I would happily never watch another GW special in my life. What I want on a Friday night is what I can or ought to be doing in my gardening, the former being plants, techniques and materials I could be using and the latter being seasonal jobs. There is scope to do this every single week of the year with the possible exception of Christmas and New Year weeks. Gardening is far too important an activity carried out by far too many of the population, willingly or otherwise, to be restricted to 23 programmes and shunted off air for sports and summer hols.
Plants people, peat debates, grumpy old gardeners, even design shows should all be kept for a separate slot and could happily replace one of the ubiquitous reality TV shows or an antiques/car booty show.
PS - Well said Ken. -
Message 12
Posted by GW Muse (U13883906) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Hi Nooj - that's an interesting idea - we'll certainly look into it. Phyll's variegated plants could be quite a divisive issue and give some lively debates. Thanks everyone, please keep them coming!
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Message 13
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Monday, 30th March 2009
No problem with a WINTER special on horticultural topics of debate. Sure, why not. No harm done.
But as I said on the intro to GOTD and several people have commented upon favourably since, gardening is essentially not a competitive, 'oh-yes-it-is, oh-no-it-isn't' zero-sum game subject.
It's a collaborative, shared knowledge, surplus swapping, win-win subject. And a garden should be an argument-free zone.
So please don't make it a horticultural ding-dong like the Today Programme. I shall have to walk off into the garden otherwise... -
Message 14
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Welcome GW Muse. I wonder if you are the noo producer. I'm feel rather dim, I can't seem to get what it is you want. And sorry Phyll, but is liking or disliking variegated plants really an interesting issue to give 'lively debate'? I couldn't give a fig about it, I'm afraid.
Organic v chemical, yes, people who try to tame nature and are utterly selfish about the impact their gardening has on the envirnoment versus people who work with nature, gardening for wildlife as well as themselves. I really haven't grasped what it is we are talking about here, I'm just rambling, so I'll ramble off... -
Message 15
Posted by queenolliebee (U13886911) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Hi GW, it would also be good to see progs about gardening in difficult sites, how ordinary gardeners cope with evil weather, a multitude of pests and the like. Ideas on coping with gales, drought, flood and how to stop flocks of pheasants, herds of deer, ravaging badgers or even just the neighbours cat from destroying vegetables and flowers - what's good to plant in these circumstances. Doesn't seem to matter where you live, there is always weather to cope with, I don't mean dealing with global warming either, just the normal everyday seasonal weather.
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Message 16
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Though come to think of it, I do have a problem with small lawns. I really don't see the point. All that palaver, time and expense with a lawnmower, getting rid of the clippings, edging, fretting about moss and dandelions. And they usually don't work practially or aesthetically either.
(Dives behind parapet with earlier post trailing behind, shredded in the wind...) -
Message 17
Posted by nocturnowl (U8510811) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I want to see a program about real people's gardens - small and medium urban ones - designed and loved by their owners. Not RHS Harlow Carr etc etc where they have professional gardeners and huge budgets.
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Message 18
Posted by mcspanna (U7544489) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Aspi...don't think I get it either - read the original post about an hour ago but was too confused to reply
surely if GW Muse spotted the original idea on here then they would know that varigated foliage will not cut it (sorry Phyll).
I broadly agree with the posts by Ken, obelixx and trillium so won't bother to repeat - nooj's idea is interesting but being cynical, I suspect it would get toned down sufficiently to make it pointless (if not then great).
GW Muse - it really is very difficult to give constructive feedback to a question like this when so many of us are disillusioned with the state of gardening programme provision (not just GW) at the moment. Particularly in a time of recession when increasing numbers of people are trying to grow their own etc, I would much prefer the money for the programme to go towards another edition of GW proper rather than a special...unless of course it is to be shown at christmas when real gardeners will be taking a week or so off? -
Message 19
Posted by tulipmania (U3090145) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Very brave request GW Muse! Good luck with with your quest!
Personally I watch all the gardening programmes, some I love and some are less interesting to me. However I feel adult enough to realise that the Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not there to satisfy only my viewing preferences!
Greetings Tulip
(Please include all the regular presenters......!) -
Message 20
Posted by toonia (U4760062) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I agree with Ken except I like the coverage from the RHS shows. Only if it is left in the hands of AT and other specialists rather than the daytime TV crew.
I also have difficulty grasping the concept of the programme suggested by GW Muse (who seems to be as unknown to Phyll as the rest of us) -
Message 21
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I'm glad I read Ken's post before it get's moderated ;-DÂ
You're just teasing me, Paul - aren't you? -
Message 22
Posted by greensusie (U12155832) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Why does there have to be a special programme to discuss 'issues'? If they're important enough why can't they be included in the weekly programme? If they're not important why would you want to fill an hour with them when it could be given over to something more instructive.
If you want to make specials to fill the gap why not provide something like - a step by step guide to improving soil, or basic design guidelines, or new plants coming up, or like the programme about peat ways to garden more greenly (excuse the pun) or cheaply. Experienced gardeners might know all this but there are always new ones watching, and who knows we might all pick up a new idea.
Too much television is given over to light entertainment, what about knowledge?? -
Message 23
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Well done Ken. On the nail!!
And please, let's have it mid winter, and not when we need timely advice on pressing gardening matters. -
Message 24
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Hello Muse. I think the previous posts have covered what lots of people feel is lacking as far as current programmes go - Ken S has said it all really!
However, if what you're wanting is ideas for a quirky one-off "special" how about the following: (some of the ideas have already been mentioned)
Gardeners who are obsessive about one particular aspect, e.g. The Perfect Lawn.
People who grow everything from seed.
Topiary specialists.
People whose gardens present a real challenge in the sense of "geography" e.g. seaside & windswept, precipitous slopes etc.
Gardens full of ornaments/furniture/gizmos etc.
Water features.
People who delight in encouraging the sort of "pests" which other gardeners try to deter, e.g. rabbits, deer, foxes, badgers, cats.
Allotments, and other ways of growing your own food.
Gardens which are planted out like municipal flower beds.
People who collect and plant things from only a very limited number of species.
People who plan obsessively and/or have colour themed gardens.
Gardens where the plants have taken over to the extent that you can't actually see the house.
Gardens where the owner has tried to replicate a famous garden and succeeded - or not...
Gardens where the owners will only have native species, and/or those where exotics are the only things they grow.
Gardeners who "grow for show". e.g. massive marrows, pumpkins, leeks etc. as well as the usual vegetable classes.
Gardens where the planting is designed to supply flowers etc for cutting, and what the gardeners/flower arrangers do with what they grow.
How about that for a start? There'd be lots of "characters" who'd emerge, if that's what you're wanting. Cheers! Ma. -
Message 25
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Garden centres and DIY chains putting huge trolleys of tender plants out on good days in March, in Cheshire, with no obvious mention of the fact that they'll probably die unless they are kept under cover until May.
It's a complete waste of money for most of the targeted impulse-buy customers and a waste of plants, peat (usually), heat and transport to grow the things and get them there. I feel like picketing the shops and sending customers back in for a refund.... -
Message 26
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Monday, 30th March 2009
And garden centres selling monocarpic meconopsis betonica without telling you that the plants are notoriusly difficult, and almost always die once they have flowered, and selling berrying female pernettyas or aucubas without telling you they will never berry again without a male (which they never offer for sale either). Caveat emptor is their motto.
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Message 27
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Monday, 30th March 2009
'Caveat emptor'? More like 'Empty your wallet here'...
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Message 28
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Please may I make a bid for a gardening series about Community Parks and Gardens? Ö÷²¥´óÐã licence fees and Council Taxes get prized from our muddy fingers so let's have a look at how our local authorities spend in in our regions.
I'm sure this would give us enough 'characters' to engage with; examples of gardening excellence; appalling failures and potential denied by some councils; inspirational designs and the changes over time; how difficult and challenging sites (and neighbourhoods) and weather issues are addressed; volunteers and school projects; budget differences by postcode; nominated best roundabouts or planted verges and the most litter strewn wastes; information on how to get involved with community gardening or local club info. Seasonal inspiration and preparations etc etc etc...
I believe a certain GW presenter started his career in Community Gardens and Parks and may even have a tale or two to share.
Well, that's what I would dearly love to see on TV GW Muse, any risk?
MLx -
Message 29
Posted by U8969255 (U8969255) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Phyll - Variegated foliage? Variegated foliage! WTFlip! Did you advise Monty "I've got a new book out and boy will you all know it" Don on how to lose 60%+ of the GW viewing audience?
What the viewing public surely needs is for the proposed programme is to visit show gardens. Obviously this country will be pants this year, as there are currently only about 6 sponsors so far at Chelsea. The big charities are still well represented (as they don't live in the real world), but the Merryl Lynch garden is now sponsored by the US Treasury, whilst the RBS marquee has been usurped by sponsorship from Jobcentre Plus. BTW I've always wondered what the "Plus" is? "Plus I've been ignoring you for half an hour you idle scum. What do you mean you've worked 60 hours a week for 30 years?" approach?
No. The shows you should indulge upon should be in more exotic locations, say in Tahiti, Bali, Baghdad and Kabul. It won't add much to my Friday evenings, but I'm sure you'll agree it would be a splendid use of our licence fee money and would possibly bring much needed whinging and consequently this Board back to life?
To add to this why not take some serious gardening celebs along? I don't mean the likes of Anne "You're the Weakest Link" Wareham, or Wesley "I can wear speedos if required" Kerr, but someone of serious gravitas. Obviously Jade is now not an option, as I also suspect Jacqui Smith's husband is unavailable (unless you decide to visit the fleshpots of Bangkok?), but Terry Cristian and that bloke who played Curly "Forty" Watts in Corrie can always be turned to as safe bets. Michaela Strachan could be added if you wish to appeal to the intelligentsia. For added spice, I understand cuddly Sir Fred Godwin is at a bit of £500 bn loss of what to do at the mo.
On the other hand if you want to go down the "Grumpy Old Men" route why not save money make it a 3 part special and just get Ken Smart's TV Board Circus in?
You could even show it without warning when it persists it down at Wimbledon at 8pm Friday, just to wind both the tennis fans up.
HRT -
Message 30
Posted by mummyduckegg (U8437139) on Monday, 30th March 2009
I somehow feel GW Muse won't be after our ideas much longer, very funny post Harrytweed, but not all that constructive? Ma, yours has definitely been the most interesting so far - I can see the sort of stuff they're aiming for. -
Message 31
Posted by Petalina (U13862206) on Monday, 30th March 2009
Great suggestions Ma
Harry Tweed - I think you are a programme commissioner and you've given away next season's schedule
I also agree with Ken - except I like the flower shows, and I hadn't noticed a lot of difference between the new theme tune and the old one
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Message 32
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
It will be a gentle look at the nation's obsession with gardening, a nod towards 'Grumpy Old Men' and 'Grumpy Old Women'Â
. . .and "gentle mickey taking will definitely be on the menu"?
I despair.
I really do. I had to check the date to see that GWMuse hadn't posted on 1 April. If the Ö÷²¥´óÐã thinks that what gardeners want the TV gardening budget spent on is programmes that think gardeners are grumpy old men and women and let's poke fun at them, then . . . oh deary me.
Hi, Ken. think Paul N was joking. -
Message 33
Posted by groovygran (U2934690) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
No mention of debating herbicides/pesticides, and the 'damage' they can do to wildlife. It's all part of gardening!
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Message 34
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
I think it Muse has chemicals covered:
"I've already got a list of potential subjects to cover - including show gardens (inspirational or just too damn artificial/impractical?), organics vs chemicals,"
Though I expect that most 'grumpies' will be asking for a more pragmatic view than the usual diet of 100% organic dogma that we get fed. -
Message 35
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Sorry GW Muse, but all most viewers want is a programme showing GARDENERS GARDENING.
If you've been reading these boards, this should be obvious, but it looks after reading your post that the GW team still has not understood this.
So, in the voice of one very handsome and well-dressed meerkat, I too say "tsimples!" -
Message 36
Posted by Toadspawn (U2334298) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
If you want something special/different why not consider this as a topic.
The majority fruit/veg we grow to eat or flowers to look at are produced as a result of pollination. This is mostly done by honeybees. There is a big problem with the honey bee population in the UK declining so why not have a programme devoted to or including the value of the honeybee to UK gardeners/growers. -
Message 37
Posted by groovygran (U2934690) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Toadspawn-I heartily agree!
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Message 38
Posted by U13894574 (U13894574) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
poppyred the Ö÷²¥´óÐã did big documentary on the bee subject a year or too ago.
How about a special giant veg. -
Message 39
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Although like many others, I'm suffering from complainer fatigue, I'll certainly willingly provide a short........... Â
Ken you just took the words out of my mouth.....
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Message 40
Posted by Sparky (U6716422) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
No - we don't want our gardening budget (if there is such a thing) spent on trendy 'specials' - we want real gardening for gardeners and in a timely fashion. Once again - well done Ken!.
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Message 41
Posted by flumpetstrumpet (U2598678) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Oh dear. Auntie Beeb really doesn't have a clue about what gardeners want, does she?
PLEASE stop dumbing down our programme and give us some real gardening.
I was going to write a nice long post full of constructive suggestions, but you know what? I don't believe anyone will actually listen (after all, they haven't so far). Call me cynical, but I suspect this thread will just enable someone to tick a box labelled "consultation" then go off and do whatever they originally planned anyway.
One point I just have to make though before I go - variegation? Please. Do you really think anyone cares? I'm sorry Phyll, but if you're going to "host" a gardening discussion board you really should be able to do better than that. -
Message 42
Posted by Yakram (U2443370) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
I would like to see - step by step -
(1)gardens that have been lovingly restored to their former glory from a place of unloved neglect, and for the people who undertook such a project to explain why they did so, and their "adventures" along the way.
(2)I would also like to see "behind the scenes" for
(i) plant production,
(ii) seed packaging,
(iii)compost making,
(iv) life in a proper plant nursery over a year, (v) life in a /preservation/conservation project over a year
(vi) what to do in a small garden or an allotment each week, as a timely reminder, with the week number, e.g. this week is Week 14.
(vii) In depth coverage of a particular technique: eg how to split perennials with two forks, how to separate the good bits from the bad bits and the correct time to do it. Then how to prepare the ground the good bits are to be planted in.
In essence, as other boarders have already said, we all want proper, in-depth, hands-on gardening advice without frills, and for a minimum of one hour a week for 52 weeks a year.
Real gardeners (which describes the vast majority of boarders) do not hibernate in the winter, but get on with the essential maintenance, repair and planning jobs, and work in their gardens for several hours 52 weeks a year. -
Message 43
Posted by dwarfbean (U13754109) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
What a list of points, I don't think that I can add anything useful to this discussion as I feel that GW Muse has enough material to make programmes for a couple of years or more.
Only one thing is missing. Why has Tibshelf not asked for a programme on the problems of using loo rolls in planting.
dwarfbean -
Message 44
Posted by tibshelf (U6540832) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
If only you would realise how much like a lot of bickering children you all are - but it's worth reading the posts to see that the general public have no idea about infection control.
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Message 45
Posted by Rumex_acetosa (U13871046) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
I don't want a programme about personalities and gardening. I don't care if Tom likes varigated plants, Dick likes green plants or Harry likes sky blue pink plants. Gardening is not about competing ideas. It is about growing plants well, and planning and learning and hoping and dreaming.
I don't want to be 'entertained' by gentle botanical humour. I don't want silly and artificial competitions such as flowers -v- veg. Neither is right. I grow some veg and a lot of flowers. So what. If I had a larger plot, and more mouths to feed I might grow more veg. What I do is right for me. The current silly cover story on the GW magazine is typical of this sort of silly "Who will win in the battle of...." froth.
The premise of the show that is being discussed belongs to light entertainment, not gardening. Can't you give the idea to Wossy. Let him have a great old time debating if carrots or parsnips are more rude, with lots of hints that S. Fry likes his cucumbers upright and throbbing. Ha Ha Ha. Brilliant. Award winning stuff. Just not for 8.00 on Fridays.
I can only agree with the overwhelming majority of ideas expressed previously more lucidly than I can manage. I want programmes with simple camera work, where the focus (in both senses) is on the plants. I don't want "personalities," however old and giggly, or silly and ignorant about allotment gardening, or a bit drippy with cats and a bicycle, or overweight with expensive clothes and a penchant for growing flowers for cutting.
Strangely the important thing is the plants, the propagation of the plants not the camerawork; the selection of plants not the music; the nurture of plants not the scarves that dangle everywhere; the problems with plant pests not just a silly grin; above all the sheer joy of growing plants. Never the people who present plants.
I want to be stimulated, challenged and encouraged to do my gardening better. I do not want to sit through a snigger show, to determine the winners and loosers of some fatuous plant challenge.
Oh and incidentally can any one suggest a way in which we can get the meeja brats that are currently running the Beeb's main gardening show to justify their work.
Is there some forum where they could be asked to justify their choices. I guess that they are quite bright people (in their own terms at least.) So why are they producing such sub standard trivia? Is there really an audience for such low grade twaddle? Do they actually know anything about gardening? or more importantly care? Is GW simply a stepping stone to higher meeja things? Is there some dictat from Aunty on high that all 'factual' programmes must operate on a 'fake battle' model with the eventual humiliation or elimination of the looser; or of "Specials" in which a director and a personality play about, but with interesting camera angles?
More importantly does any one know of any other TV programmes (from other sources perhaps?) that might serve to stimulate, encourage and help a struggling gardener? Or has anyone got any videos of programmes with real people like Geoff Hamilton or of GW shows of old?
Cheer up - the days are getting longer, it won't be long before I can do some interesting gardening at 8.00 on a Friday. -
Message 46
Posted by keanegardener (U2963540) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
I agree Nocturnowl.......something we can relate to......good idea!
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Message 47
Posted by keanegardener (U2963540) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Would it be interesting to have a section of a gardening programme dedicated to the cost of plants...
....a 'comparison' piece showing the variances in price for a same/size/type plant across the country/countries...
...perhaps this section could identify good service quality in garden centres......services provided and not provided like...e.g. plants of obvious second class quality still being sold at 'first quality' price!
Maybe it could include a mystery shopper feature?
Perhaps it could test garden centres on the advice, or lack of it given to customers....or indeed were the advice is self serving and sales orientated?
Im getting to like this idea as I type this....!!! -
Message 48
Posted by tibshelf (U6540832) on Tuesday, 31st March 2009
This is probably the most sensible of all the answers given. Straightforward gardening programmes without personalities, as they used to be.
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Message 49
Posted by beejay (U2219592) on Wednesday, 1st April 2009
I strongly suspect that if we were given a sensible, straightforward, informative on a number of levels & most importantly regular all-year-round Gardeners World then we might be more supportive of this type of programme. In other words lets get the basics right first!
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Message 50
Posted by Eladekralc (U3040105) on Wednesday, 1st April 2009
I would say ignore these boards and go and talk to normal people in the street and the garden clubs or the allotment societies and see what is the real issues surrounding gardening.
Boards can be overtaken my certain characters who think they are talking for others and always feel because they do not like it that everyone else does not also.
Generally if you do not like someone thats your prerogative but to constantly have personal goes on a public message board is not correct way to have an informed correspondence anywhere.
As for my personal preference I would like to see a more joined media gardening experience, more gardening news with a proper debate about issues i.e Allotment Waiting lists, the change in Garden centres etc and to stop trying to make celebrities out of everyone.
Try the Countryfile formula that seems to work very well.
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