Gardeners' World

A bit of a thread drift - I take a weekly french gardening magazine Rustica and they have a regular 4 page article about specialist gardens. Often it's from the UK . And they often use photos of Alan and Carol Klein - I haven't seen one of Monty yet.

Gah! Can't stand Saint Alan of Gardening!

That makes 2 of us merlot I'm not fussed on him either.

I loved Geoff Hamilton. I am often aghast at how much Monty must spend - way beyond my reach. I too like Beechgrove - its back this week I believe.

I like the Beechgrove Garden as well.

Gah! Can't stand Saint Alan of Gardening!

Which book are you referring to, Sheilasue? Monty has written loads.

Never the same since Alan and his team left.Then in Alan's days'I was a regular visitor to the NEC Gardeners World, Not any more.
My favourite is now the Beechgrove Garden.

I only watch it to see Nigel and Nellie, his dogs. They are the highlight of the show. I'm a softie for animals.

Small jessycake? Its bloomin' massive !

I like the programme and Monty don but I do think his garden is rather small so year on year its similar

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Joe Swift at Tatton.

No no no! Love Monty Don, and wouldn't want another presenter. Thought the lichen insert very interesting. Lived in South Africa for many years, and plant life very similar to Caribbean. Monty very popular there too. Love Monty and his gorgeous dogs.

I love Monty too. I don't think there is anything wrong with his style, although I get that it wouldn't be for everyone. I agree that there isn't a lot going on in the programme yet, but there isn't a lot going on in our gardens is there? It's too soon for much more than tidying and planning, both of which (more planning) he focused upon. Also, for those who felt he was a bit 'slow' in his style, as another poster said, he does suffer from depression, which is worse in winter. We haven't had a great deal of sun yet. For me, he always seems so human and unpolished. I like that very much, and I love the dogs.

As for going over the same ground (pun intended), it's inevitable. If that didn't happen, the programme wouldn't be suitable for new gardeners.

Monty has mental health issues, I think he works really well in gardners world, having just read his book I am full of admiration for him. Love the dogs.
Having gd who has mental health issues re:anxiety attacks, panic attacks and also having to do her GCSEs this may-june. Quite understand some things can be difficult. If you haven't read his book do so, the BBC are at his house televising the programme for weeks don't think I could cope with that, especially when it's more than one take.

I didn't notice anything, I guess I expect the first few programmes to be different till they get into their stride. I think Monty is great, for his integrity as well as his knowledge and delivery. You won't catch him advertising dodgy payday loans. I quite like them covering the same seasonal things, it emphasises the rituals of gardening and lots of the audience will be new anyway, and I need constant reminding.

I love Monty, really enjoy the programme. I would certainly stop watching if Joe Swift or Carol Klein presented - can't stand either of them!

Ha Ha, gillybob. Reminds me of Jekka McVicar at Chelsea many years ago. I was really chuffed when she took time to chat to me about the herbs on her stand when she suddenly broke off and yelled, 'Put that down, don't you dare touch my plants' to a woman who was trying to break off a sprig of something.

It made me jump and people started pushing forward to see what the kerfuffle was about. I just hoped they didn't think it was me! Her last words before she stormed off was, 'Bloody cheek!'

Yes rubylady but isn't most gardening in real life like "groundhog day"? The seasons don't change (well a tiny bit they do) and we tend to do the same, or similar, things in the garden year after year. I spent almost all day in the garden yesterday wearing a tee shirt. It was heavenly. I got stacks of jobs done.

I am hopeless at links (took some photos) but we saw Joe Swift at Tatton Park Flower show last year and it took him about 5 or more, attempts to do a short piece to camera. Fluffed every one and then had a bit of a strop.

Must have been boring and slow. I fell asleep. Love the dogs but get the increasing feeling that the man himself is heavily scripted.

I agree about planting plans, whitewave. With today's technology it would be easy to show the layout of a border, shape and form of plants, correct positioning/orientation and eventual size. They could also do more on planting combinations which is what everyone makes a note of when you visit a well-known garden.

Joe Swift did a regular garden design feature in a past series but as usual it focussed on hard landscaping, furniture and the 'outdoor room' theme.

Even the dogs looked bored in last Friday's episode.

Thanks Tricia - I will watch Monty visiting the Japan garden later today on catch-up. Feet up, of course, because it's Mother's Day!

What I would like to learn is actual planting plans. So dimensions of beds, the plants, aspect, soil requirements and end result and season of interest. They could do things like herbaceous, water garden, shade, shrubbery, there is no end of stuff that would give a good clue.

I have an idea of what the end result should look like but there is always something not quite right and I am for ever moving stuff around.

Elrel - the Gardens around the World series is being repeated on BBC2. I watched the episode from Japan earlier this morning.
About 7-8am.

I have not seen this, prefer the radio to the tele. I like gardener's Question Time. I have no time for Monty Don in any way shape or form. I like to listen to Bob Flowerdew, and I like his ideas.

I like Monty too but I do find, after a few years now of watching him, that it's like groundhog day, the same things come up year after year. I want to learn something in my gardening, and I find I don't much with this programme. Also, I agree, ten minutes into the first programme this time (after being excited that Spring was here and it was back on), I switched it off, it was boring and same old, same old. I do wish there was a programme on which was more for beginners and taught us basics but different things.

I've put some wildflowers seeds in today and tomorrow, hopefully, health permitting, I want to get some seed potatoes in. I've bought some carrot seeds and an onion set too but they never seem to do these. Follow the instructions I suppose.

I love Monty Don..not though enjoying the new series and my feeling is...neither is he!!! maybe he's not being allowed enough 'say' in the production!!....