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GW was my favourite programme....

• Message 1. 

  Posted by borderfork (U14408174) on Saturday, 3rd April 2010

  I have tried to give TB the benefit of the doubt for long enough now: GW is a shadow of its former colourful, entertaining and informative self. I never missed it, and as the start of a weekend after a tough working week it was peerless. To have to admit that the woeful Beechgrove Garden (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland) compares favourably, in terms of dealing with proper gardening issues and not underestimating its audience, is a huge disappointment. Geoff Hamilton and Monty Don were ace at conveying the fact that a garden is not simply a collection of plants. Both expressed the idea that technique is not everything but vision, feeling and a connection with earth, seasons and one's chosen plants make a real impact on our lives. Carol Klein was their natural successor, and manages to be authoritative and full of information and ideas without patronising or appearing insincere. Carol and Alys's contributions apart, GW continues to appear contrived, superficial and aimed solely at throwing quick-fixes to the beginner. I too want to enthuse those new to the joy of gardening: did not AT do a "how to be a gardener" series? I welcome the ditching of distracting camera work and some of the more obvious gimmicks, but this has not solved the fundamental difficulty for me: the main presenters lack charisma and presence, and they speak to only part of their potential audience through the choice of features. I am glad for those who are enjoying it, but sadly I am not.

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• Message 2

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  Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Saturday, 3rd April 2010

  To have to admit that the woeful Beechgrove Garden (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland) compares favourably, in terms of dealing with proper gardening issues and not underestimating its audience, is a huge disappointment. 
  Not quite sure if this is a criticism of BG, which I would disagree with, or a further disapproval of GW hence still a disappointment .
  Think BG is one of the best 30 minute gardening programmes going even compared to GW in its heyday of AT et al, and lets be fair there is not a lot of gardening competition being screened even if it was repeats.Only one snag with BG and that its 3-4 weeks behind for "topical" items in the South, but hey its made for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland so can't really complain.

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  Posted by 1stClassAlan (U2459016) on Sunday, 4th April 2010

  Hmm, anyone who has seen my previous posts will know that TB or for that matter JS and Alys would not be my preferred choices but personalities apart, I have to concede that GW is not aimed at professional gardeners such as myself - it's not even aimed at accomplished amateurs - it's for new folk who don't know much about gardening but are enthused enough to make a start and for them it's good to see a group of younger people talking ( dare I say ) down to earth. The modern audience would be completely put off by Percy Thower and his elitist approach - fine by me - I just wanted to go one better but there's not many folk out there who want to double dig trenches for 600 exhibition sweet peas, spend hours dressing Chyrsanthemums or push back the boundaries of science in the pursuit of a 5kilo onion!
  
  It's a new format that is still developing along with the new garden site - some of the skills ( or lack of ) and techniques make me cringe ( treading in for instance, on ground that looks like the glaciers have just left ) but I'm still going watch.
  
  
  

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  Posted by hdehoon (U2175617) on Monday, 5th April 2010

  I´m sure they are all doing their best but somehow GW looks a bit tired, as though the GW team isn´t sure if they want to go on with it...
  I know its no use always looking back at how Geoff Hamilton and Alan Titchmarsch did it, but after Alan it has been a struggle to find the right presentors.

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  Posted by garrigillgal (U14258845) on Monday, 5th April 2010

  Happy Easter Monday to you all
  
  - it's not even aimed at accomplished amateurs - it's for new folk who don't know much about gardening but are enthused enough to make a start  
  
  I like GW much better this season - even the camera work has calmed down - I consider myself to be a novice gardener but even I've noticed that the topics etc are as basic as 1stclassalan says and I can see that the majority of viewers (I include myself in this) will be bored - perhaps another more advanced programme would cater for those with skills and experience - Beechgrove seems to have got it right.
  
  I noticed the trampling down of an already sodden soil as well.....

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  Posted by monicaddavis (U14410596) on Monday, 5th April 2010

  I have got to say i agree. Maybe we have been gardening too long, & everything thas it said we have heard before.
  Somehow I do not think this is the case, as watching Beechgrove is a joy, just like watching the old GW.
  I'm afraid it has got to be the presenters, somehow they do not get it across to me, they seem wishy washy, apart from Carol Klein, who now she has calmed down a bit, has got to be the best of the bunch.
  
  What about pests & disease like we used to have with Pippa Greenwood, & how to improve soil etc.Not some stupid woodland garden in a little back yard.

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  Posted by Richard H (U14409998) on Tuesday, 6th April 2010

  Well said! I have to agree that the patronising way the presenters do their thing is tantamount to ex-nursery school teachers who seem to be scared whitless of possibly offending someone that their commentary could so easily be scripted - I find it insulting.
  
  The actual factual content of 30 minutes of each episode could easily be put into a 3cm pot with room to spare!
  
  Also agreed - forget all this supposed "fancy" camera work, less of the arty flare, more of the content, more tips & tricks, more on propatation techniques - especially at this time of year, more of gardening on a budget (BTW: it's all fair and well that they experiment at Greenacre, but how much would these things cost your average Joe Blogs?!?); the producers could do so much with GW to attract new-comers and to also keep long-standing fans but they seem to choose not to.
  
  A very big shame.

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  Posted by darren p (U8518743) on Tuesday, 6th April 2010

  push back the boundaries of science for a 5 kilo onion. BOUNDARIES??? SCIENCE????

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• Message 9

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  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Tuesday, 6th April 2010

  I'm in horticulture full time now, but am discovering things I didn't know in each episode of GW and finding it an enjoyable watch, overall.
  
  There are so many variations in horticultural practices, based on experience, different soils, local climate conditions etc. that you can rarely say that this or that is definitely wrong.
  
  It is so much better than last year - the gimmicks have gone and it's back to a core of solid gardening. I think it just needs to find more confidence (Joe's new back garden had a good dollop, whether or not your like it) and project more warmth.

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