Gardeners World

I read in the todays paper that Gardeners World is being reformatted because of a drop in viewers after Monty Don's enforced departure. Last year's GC was aimed at new gardeners and the loyal viewers who had previously tuned in regularly were turning off in their droves because of the "dumbing down" of the programme.

I think the producers tried to bundle too much into the allocated time. Much of the format was too basic for the experienced gardener. The chat in the potting shed was dropped after a few weeks because of complaints.

I wonder what the new format will be like? There was talk of getting Alan Titchmarsh back (a desperate measure). I think that would be a retrograde step. Apparently Toby Buckland is remaining, the time is reduced to 30 minutes, and I understand Carole and Alys have been given shows of their own. I don't know what Joe will be up to next. I rather warmed to him but none of the presenters have strong enough personalities to encourage new viewers to stay on board. Someone young and sexy may be the answer but presenting and gardening do not usually go hand in hand (unless you're Monty Don but he was a "one off").

I certainly don't advocate going back to the old format - we do need to encourage more young people into what can become a life enhancing interest. How the producers of the programme go about getting the viewer figures up is going to be challenging.

 

the last series was poor ...those five minute fixes....what a lot of s*?!( that was. Nothing against any of the presenters poor content was the problem. Intersted to see carols programme her enthusiasm is great.

 

I agree, I like Carol too.

 

Never watched it at all last year. Too boring :(

 

I started a thread on Digital Spy, when I read about this.

I suggested the only thing missing from the awful "re-vamp" were "plant-offs" and "phone votes."

 

I remember the thread that was made when the new series first aired. My opinion is exactly the same, if not harsher. Like Woo, I think no-one could equal the affable and above all genuine Geoff Hamilton. I hesitate to ever disagree with Woo, but it does matter to me who the presenters are. I wouldn't eat haute cuisine presented on a dirty plate-I certainly wouldn't accept dodgy food on one. And that is, in my opinion, exactly what we were being asked to accept.


I say nothing about Joe Swift, he gave us what we have come to expect of him-and he never failed us, but that time with Buckland and Fowler and the grow-bags left me disgusted. They both made a pig's breakfast of it, and instead of stopping and showing the viewers exactly how to cut one correctly they just laughed it off as if it didn't matter! How exactly is that supposed to enlighten novice gardeners? How have they delivered on their brief?

And the converted ice-cream van. That was a telling metaphor, if ever I have seen one. Highly patronising.


Alys Fowler's thrift by using empty beans cans as pots whilst stood inside a bespoke luxury greenhouse said it all. In the opening programme Toby Buckland clearly stated they were returning to a more modest type of gardening, one we could all afford. This opening premise was disengenuous. Less than a few minutes later he was planting out two huge and very expensive magnolias! Come on Toby give me a break! I know their price and it ain't modest! It was pure lip-service to a global recession.

I know it began to improve near the end, but it was too late for me-and it appears thousands of others (judging by the ratings).

I would personally love to see Sarah Raven as a guest presenter on the show again. And like others have said, Carol is the queenshe should have been the chief presenter, her experience and ingenuousness, I do respect. She and she alone showed us how to do it right and on a shoestring. Something Geoff would have been proud of.

 

Geofry Smith from Harlow carr gardens was my absolute favourite.If the programme planners are clueless ( I think they are) they should look at his old programmes.Maybe we could all see them again.

 

The BBC are very often guilty of trying to pitch a programme so it appeals to the widest possible audience, in their constant chase for ratings.
It's one of the reasons why people of my age accuse them of often; "dumbing down" programmes.
As I see it they are guilty of trying to include elements in many programmes in a pathetic attempt to attract viewers who wouldn't normally be interested in the topic anyway. This antagonises their "core viewers" and they fail to "engage" (their word) their target demographic who I'd suggest, would rather be out with their mates down the pub, than be stuck at home watching telly.

 

I agree that some young people would rather be out with their mates than stuck at home watching telly. Young couples setting up home are unlikely to have enough money left over to splash out on buying plants (if they are lucky enough to have a garden) and those with young children have are more focussed on bringing up the family. New shoes for the kids come before a new plant for the garden however much we would like them (I know I've been there!!) I built my gardening knowledge by trial and error. I learnt a lot from GW, also by joining a horticultural club and taking cuttings and growing plants from seed. I didn't know then what an investment for the future I was making.

Instant gardening is something usually undertaken by people with a good amount of disposable income who don't mind spending their money on expensive plants like magnolias. There is a market out there for people who used to watch GW to see what was new and didn't mind the cost but a "fits all" approach is hard to achieve in a half hour programme.

By splitting the progammes and letting Alys have a Thrifty Gardener programme of her own it will (hopefully) get those with less money to spend on board. I find her approach to gardening refreshing and entertaining. She's totally unglamourous, lacks vanity and is not afraid to make friends with the earth (literally) It makes such a change from some of the presenters who lay on the slap with a trowel!

 

I really liked the new format. The 30 minute fixes, the chats at the end. You came away with new ideas you could adapt and run with most weeks - planting up a box on a shed roof or cobbling together a coldframe from scrap etc.

I didn't like Carol's "Strictly Come Planting" at the start of the series, though that was quickly dropped.

I think some of the old-timers who complained simply wanted detailed gardening instructions and couldn't deal with the whooshy new appearance. Which is a shame, because there was lots of content and excellent, useful tips in there too.

I hope they find a middle ground. The Geoff Hamilton approach, excellent gardener as he was, is really dated now. Not many people want to watch TV for a half hour lecture on correct pruning techniques - you read a book or go to college for that.

People want some entertainment and inspiration and new ideas too, especially new gardeners. No-one apart from a seasoned gardener would be inspired by the dreary old format, and wouldn't bother watching.

 

I too watched "dreary old formats" and was both inspired and informed. I also embrace new formats and new ways of gardening. I did pick up a few tips from the 30 minute fixes but they were padding to fill up the 60 minute slot. A bit too much like Blue Peter for my liking.
I find the videos on the BBC website are really informative and inspirational on both the basics of gardening and for more advanced garden projects i.e. raised beds. OK so its Monty Don again but he can come and dig my patch anytime.

 

I'm not too bothered about the presenters, what I'm looking for is inspiration. I long for programmes that show real gardens and planting schemes - the sort of thing that Monty Don did in Around the World in 80 Gardens, but set in the UK. It doesn't need to be fronted by anyone famous, just someone who knows about plants guiding us around. And it needn't be fancy gardens (though those would be welcome).

I don't know if anyone else agrees that half an hour a week for half the year is woefully inadequate for what must be one of the most popular hobbies in the UK. If cooking or sport is your thing, then you're spoilt for choice!