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Beechgrove Garden
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Tuesday, 19th July 2011
Another wonderful programme again this week. What a good team we've assembled here, and the chemistry seems just right. There always seems to be a good variety of subjects for the viewer, which makes the 30 minutes fly past. Professional gardening with a smile. Successes and failures are discussed in equal measure, and honest opinion is always given on personal likes/dislikes.
It seems quite clear that the problem with GW, is that the presenters all seem to have their fingers in too many pies, and their individual gravy trains just go on and on. Even the late unlamented Alys gets her own series, and has books on the shelves. Failure has been rewarded. The answer for GW is clear - keep Monty Don in his own garden, keep Carol Klein in her own garden, and start a small garden from scratch with a couple of real gardeners, who would be representative of the majority of the gardening fraternity in the country.
I would also suggest that an invitation should be extended to at least a couple of our Beechgrove presenters to front some of the many great British gardening shows throughout the year - instead of the usual suspects. -
Message 2
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Tuesday, 19th July 2011
Would it not make sense to have a Beechgrove South to run alongside it. If we can have 250 reality shows based on one theme surely the powers that be, see that a variation on this popular show would be welcomed .
Beechgrove could move to Ö÷²¥´óÐã2 on Monday.
Beechgrove South Ö÷²¥´óÐã2 on Wednesday
GW on Ö÷²¥´óÐã2 on Friday. -
Message 3
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Tuesday, 19th July 2011
Beechgrove has too much veg for me
Also, I hate watching things through the computer, so, if it's so good, why don't they broadcast it Nationwide? -
Message 4
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Tuesday, 19th July 2011
Lowena
I always record it, and fast forward through the veg, but I enjoy the rest of it. There's a lot more of interest to me in that, than in Gardeners' World - even with the 'new, improved' Monty
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Message 5
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Tuesday, 19th July 2011
Thanks HTF, I'll give it a go
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Message 6
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Another wonderful programme again this week. What a good team we've assembled here, and the chemistry seems just right. There always seems to be a good variety of subjects for the viewer, which makes the 30 minutes fly past. Professional gardening with a smile. Successes and failures are discussed in equal measure, and honest opinion is always given on personal likes/dislikes.
It seems quite clear that the problem with GW, is that the presenters all seem to have their fingers in too many pies, and their individual gravy trains just go on and on. Even the late unlamented Alys gets her own series, and has books on the shelves. Failure has been rewarded. The answer for GW is clear - keep Monty Don in his own garden, keep Carol Klein in her own garden, and start a small garden from scratch with a couple of real gardeners, who would be representative of the majority of the gardening fraternity in the country.
I would also suggest that an invitation should be extended to at least a couple of our Beechgrove presenters to front some of the many great British gardening shows throughout the year - instead of the usual suspects.
Ìý
Oh dear, Ken, aren't we being a little duplicitous here?
When suggestions have been made here previously about any linking Beechgrove with any south of the border gardening programmes, you have been dismissive of the idea and seemed protective towards maintaining its present & unique status.
Also, (unless I have misunderstood) you have made weekly visits to these boards since the reincarnation of Monty Don to approve of him and express satisfaction with the present format of Gardeners' World.
I would like to make it clear that along with most gardeners who have some grasp of their subject, I am a admirer of all aspects of Beechgrove. -
Message 7
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Leave it as it is- I do not want any big bbc machine to destroy this hidden gem- keep it as our little secret- even though I live far south of the border!!
Geoff -
Message 8
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Leave it as it is- I do not want any big bbc machine to destroy this hidden gem- keep it as our little secret- even though I live far south of the border!!
GeoffÌý
I think so too! -
Message 9
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Beechgrove is very good but, as someone else said, it has a tad too much veg for my liking so I whiz through some of those items. It's interesting to see the problems encountered by gardeners north of the border and, of course, I enjoy the beautiful countryside surrounding some of their gardens. I think the Ö÷²¥´óÐã are missing a trick and should make the programme more accessible to us soft southerners.
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Message 10
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
I like the Beechgrove format and presenters just as they are although I'm not keen on the community garden specials. It's certainly good enough for broadcasting across the Beeb regions.
It's produced by an independent company so I don't see why the Beeb shouldn't or couldn't also commission a version for England from the same team and wit a longer season. The same sorts of trials could be done in different parts of England and Wales to take account of regional variations in soils, rainfall and temperatures.
I'd love to see a programme dedicated to showing how to start a garden from scratch but it would have to cover the regions too. What works for moist, warm Devon won't do in the Yorkshire moors and they'd need to think about versions with acid, chalky and neutral soils to show the different ranges of suitable plants. A tall order but not impossible for a resourceful and professional gardening production team. -
Message 11
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Oh dear, Ken, aren't we being a little duplicitous here?Ìý
I honestly don't see how, David.
When suggestions have been made here previously about any linking Beechgrove with any south of the border gardening programmes, you have been dismissive of the idea and seemed protective towards maintaining its present & unique status.Ìý
I can't spot anything inconsistent between this particular posting and any previous postings on the subject. Any parochialism that I previously indicated, was probably borne out of a fear that should it be shown across the entire country, someone would conclude that it would have to be tweaked to accomodate a wider audience.
Also, (unless I have misunderstood) you have made weekly visits to these boards since the reincarnation of Monty Don to approve of him and express satisfaction with the present format of Gardeners' World.Ìý
I have indeed given consistent praise to Monty Don, and emphasised the dramatic improvement between the current and the immediate past GW's. I have also been consistent (tiresome) in my dissatisfaction with Joe and Rachel, and my ambivalence towards Carol. It's surely not being greedy to seek improvement where there is clearly room for improvement, or to comment on the gravy train for which everyone connected with GW are issued with a supply of free tickets.
Just to clarify, Beechgrove is currently the best of the gardening programmes for me on TV, and Gardeners' World is now at least once again very watchable. -
Message 12
Posted by Pumpkin_Patch_Paul (U14565900) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Leave it as it is- I do not want any big bbc machine to destroy this hidden gem- keep it as our little secret- even though I live far south of the border!!
GeoffÌý
Yes I also agree totaly,also Kens post about GW is spot on as well.
Watched this weeks Beechgrove and it was simply excellent and I can't rate the presenters and the production team highly enough. -
Message 13
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Wednesday, 20th July 2011
Ken - I've always found your input to these boards interesting and well reasoned. However, I think the words of my previous post were correct (perhaps to my determent sometimes) I do have a very retentive memory.
Personally and as others have said, I think Beechgrove should retain its present status. Perish the thought that the presenters would ever develop such inflated celebrity egos as that of Mr Don.
I can understand why you think that the present GW is an improvement on the TB era, but to be honest (as I have pointed out several times) there are yawning gaps in MD's horticultural knowledge. -
Message 14
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 26th July 2011
Another great 30mins- I like the way there is a bit for everyone and even if you dont grow certain things it is still interesting and then you end up thinking I might try that............
How come they have got ripe tomatoes in Scotland and I havent in far south of England?-what is going on!!!
Geoff -
Message 15
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Tuesday, 26th July 2011
Another great 30minsÌý
It certainly was, Geoff. I like the way that they can seem to cover a whole range of topics in 30 minutes - and do them all justice. They are lucky too, to currently have an excellent pool of presenters, who all seem to blend in well with each other, and deliver quality information in a pleasing and light-hearted fashion. It's also reassuring to see that successes and failures seem to feature in equal number. Although the actual garden is now quite a size, the programme continues to be aimed at the 'normal' gardener who plods away on a fairly small scale. On a more pessimistic note, it can't be long until we get one of the 'community' editions, which I don't really care for. I know it's nice that they should get involved with these local projects, but it just doesn't have the same appeal for me. Never mind, for now we'll just enjoy what's being served up. -
Message 16
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
It's a bit old fashioned.Reinforcing the myth that all gardeners are boring old fogeys.....
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Message 17
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
It's a bit old fashioned.Reinforcing the myth that all gardeners are boring old fogeys.....Ìý less of the "old " -young lady!!
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Message 18
Posted by rini (U2365378) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
I live in the North East of England and enjoy Beechgrove very much. It deals with planting and problems us northern gardeners have. All other gardening shows an all channels are never set in the North. A Beechgrove South is definetely not
needed. -
Message 19
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
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Message 20
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Wednesday, 10th August 2011
Oh dear, a 'wasted' week with the tiresome communidee garden. What with no GW either until Friday, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã has let the nation's gardeners down (again).
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Message 21
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 10th August 2011
Agree-wish they would stick to the garden-never mind, we are all allowed an old fogey moment-back to normal next week
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Message 22
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 10th August 2011
At the risk of being selfish, I'm glad it was a community garden this week as I don't much care for those and we had a spot of bovver with our automatic recording set up. All fixed now tho. Fingers crossed it doesn't throw another wobbly when Beechgrove goes back to its usual excellent self next week.
I do think the community projects are an excellent inititiative but they can't be covered in any sensible depth in the weekly 30 minutes, especially with the inclusion of visits to local gardeners for a spot of troubleshooting.
Surely the community garden ethos and projects deserve a series of their own. Who knows? It may inspire others to try such projects and create a spirit of collective ownership, responsibility and achievement whilst getting to klnow each other, making new friends and having fun with long lasting benefits for all. -
Message 23
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Wednesday, 10th August 2011
Yes, I also can't be bothered with these 'specials', and switched off after about 10 minutes. I can only assume that there is some sort of obligation to promote these community projects, and while I'm full of admiration for all those involved in the various projects, they can be a bit of a bore for the viewer. I'm afraid the silliness of the presenters only serves to make bad worse on these occasions.
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Message 24
Posted by Braidman (U11753668) on Sunday, 14th August 2011
.
A real gardening programme for proper gardeners.
As for those who don't like vegetables being shown, give those who do some credit, let us watch the whole programme without the Victor Meldrews for a change! -
Message 25
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Thursday, 18th August 2011
A tip-top programme after the longueurs of the oxymoronic 'special'. So much information in 30 minutes!
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