Gardeners’ World & Alan Titchmarsh Gardening Club 2025

So I watched the first series of AT Gardening Club, apart from Alan Titchmarsh, it is a completely new line up, I enjoyed last years contributors, So i’m not sure what to make of this.

 

I've now watched GW, yesterday, while I did the ironing. Monty was planting a yew plant in his cottage garden. He's dug up a lot of the cottage garden and added yew balls to the yew pillars. He was pleased with the symmetrical look, yet he was still calling it the cottage garden. It is nothing like a cottage garden. Cottage gardens are not symmetrical, they are informal, charming, full of colourful plants, herbs and vegetables. I wonder if he will change its name.

 

@TattyMac Geoff H began his career with a diploma in horticulture and went on to open hisown garden centre and work as a designer. He was a very practical gardener and a good communicator and was very conscious of gardening with a budget. He bought Barnsdale for the specific purpose of turning it into a series of gardens for both GW and special series with something of interest for all skills levels and budgets. He also had many guest presenters including regulars for houseplants, pests and diseases and other specific plant groups. He was the first TV gardener to promote organic gardening and always showed failures as well as successes.

Monty D got a degree in English Lit from Cambridge, then, on going bankrupt in London, he and his wife retreated to deepest Herefordhsire where he turned his childhood gardening experience helping his mum to turning fields into a garden to feed his family and provide a refuge that became material for writing articles and later books. He needs the other presenters to fill the gaps in his knowledge. He doesn't often own up to mistakes or failures.

 

I think that's the kind of thing that puts me off, too much fiddling around and not enough good content.
I watched the Tichmarsh show the other day and it was fairly enjoyable, I kind of liked it as being down to earth presenters appearing to be interested and not gushingly over the top and whining about blue flowers clashing with the pink ones, if you get my meaning.

I definitely think GW needs a revamp, the format is boring and far too many garden designers and not enough plant people.

 

I haven't watched it since Geoff Hamilton was presenting it.

 

For anyone else whose recording system didn't pick up the new series starting last Friday, it will be repeated on Thursday morning. 8am (I think) on BBC2. My recording schedule is now up to date.

 

I guess I am the only Monty fan on here, oh full disclosure he is the only one I remember! Alan Titchmarsh I see him more as a tv presenter.

 

No mention of our favourite tv gardening program and thats BBC 2 / Scotlands BeechGrove ?

 

It hasn't started yet and no date announced but it's usually several weeks later than GW.

 

Garddio a Mwy is a fab programme too. I need the subtitles though

 

So what is the “mwy” that they add to the gardening?

 

I remember some willow weaving once!

 

8pm tonight.

"As spring surges forwards at Longmeadow, Monty makes the most of the longer days as he continues the rejuvenation of his Jewel Garden borders. Now is a great time to get shrubs in the ground, and dramatic dark- flowered hydrangeas take centre stage. He also makes a start on sowing some of his favourite flowers and harvests his first fresh stalks of rhubarb.

Joe Swift meets a group of neighbours championing their front gardens by showcasing an amazing variety of plants and building community spirit. And Sue Kent is in Carmarthenshire, comparing notes with a fellow veg grower who has learnt how to harness the Welsh weather to grow an impressive array of tasty produce.

There’s a doctor in Edinburgh who explains how ripping up her lawn transformed her back garden into a beautiful oasis. And in Somerset, the gates are thrown open to the only Grade 1 listed cottage garden in the country, whose gardener has been preserving its horticultural heritage."

 

I watched an episode of the Alan Titchmarsh programme yesterday. It was quite enjoyable, very light but sometimes that just the thing to relax in front of with a cup of tea. Looking forward to GW tonight. I enjoy the format of recent years with a mix of different presenters.

 

Just out of interest, did the part about Monty Don harvesting rhubarb consist of showing him cutting or pulling it? Or was there some practical advice about actually growing it? Just askin'