the image of gardening

Gardens and gardening have always evolved and always will. That sounds trite and simplistic, but cliches are only cliches because they are true.

I really don't know who Gardener's World is aimed at. If it's aimed at the grey brigade of experienced gardeners, then its Blue Peter/kindergarten style is woefully adrift. If its aimed at younger people taking on their first gardens, then they might pick up a few tips before they are bored to death. Much as an ancient like myself, might deplore the trendy garden designer, barbecue and decking styles, I have to concede that they may be right for the tiny little gardens that are squeezed into modern executive style housing estates.

Garden styles endlessly cycle through repetitive changes. They have gone from small plots of land that our peasant ancestors were allowed to grow food on when they weren't grafting for the Big House. Then formal gardens with straight rows and regimented bedding plans were the done thing. Everything had to be manicured. Robinson changed all that and promoted wild gardening and the picturesque. Second World war and "Dig for Victory" saw a return to veggies and allotments. Then there was a brief fad for allotments to be called "Leisure Gardens" - guess that was an image issue. Gardening for wildlife rode the eco/conservation bandwagon and then we had the awful designer garden rooms with concrete, steel, decking and purple fences.

Young people are image conscious and it seems obligatory to have the latest phone and daftest ring tone etc - but they'll grow up and learn to do their own thing in their own way. Gardening is a lifelong learning experience and as I've only been at it for 50 years, I reckon I've still got a lot to learn, but I don't give a damnn about image.

 

Loving the grey brigade, in fact I am cultivating some grey in my stubble! :eek:

My point was agreement with sparkle over lazy programming, the assuption of the BBC in Gardeners World and the like, about what the over 50/60's like to see in a gardening programme. I realise that when you adopt an interest such as gardening you are frequenting yourself with the more mature but this is a good thing, and on balance beneficial for both old and young to share openly their knowledge. Some of the best books I have on gardening are written over many years by officiandos of the grey brigade

 

I don't reckon age has got much to do with it - I got hooked when I was 12.

The big change in gardening attitude has come about through container grown plants and instant gardening. TV makeover programmes that transform neglected plots in three days are to blame as well. I often wonder what they look like after three years! Digging holes and plonking garden centre packaged plants is never going to deliver a sustainable garden. Trouble is that gardening takes time and effort and a lot of both. I see grey oldies as well as young trendies falling for the same con ie "You too can have a labour saving instant garden" - "Buy our ready grown, maintenance free hybrids and all you need from our shelves and shelves of chemical death."

Bah,humbug etc etc

 

It is vital to get children interested in gardening at a young age if they are to become the next gardeners. In Cornwall many schools have gardening clubs which involve infant and junior age children, it's keeping the interest going that's the problem. My teenage daughter likes alpines and has an alpine trough but my son won't venture into the garden, mostly due to the fact that he is allergic to just about every pollen grain there is! He does like pruning trees though!
As far as gardening programmes go you can't beat Geoff Hamilton, he always showed you what to do and how to do it, Alan Titchmarsh isn't a bad second though.

 

I have the same feelings as Hornbeam as regards the tv idea of gardening. I have never watched a "makeover" programme or come to that a gardening programme for years, too many self styled gardeners and inflated egos. Geof Hamilton was watchable but since then? :(

 

I learned a lot about plants when I was in my teens, listening to my Dad and my boss (who was a clematis fanatic) and held onto that info till I was at a stage in my life to use it ie when I got interested in gardening (2 years ago) A friend once told me when you hit 50 you either take up religion or gardening.....where's my spade
I think progs like GW are aimed at people like me - I find them quite informative but I agree with BM -bring back Titchmarsh

 

Not sure that I like the term 'grey brigade' - are TV programmes really aimed at the 'over60's'?

As one of mature years I too dislike the 'dumbing down' of the GW programmes which has been progressive for some years now - is Monty Don really a gardener. And where do they get all that wonderful soil? I would love to see how they are really managing without water.

Less of the ageism please

'Grumpy Old Man'

 

Shiney, I just want some hair, I don't care what colour it is!

Chobart, agree about the soil, I have always assumed that they just bulldoze the site and import a load of fresh topsoil so that they don't get the typical problems that everyone else has?

 

I'm with you there, Chobart "grey brigade" is unpleasant and I regret using it.

 

I think it is all about a sense of achievement, at a pace that we were meant to work at, and in a healthy working environment! Also there is always something different happening everyday, every week, every month and every season, what more could you want?

 

ive been a spiritual person all my life and (without getting heavy on you)i know Jesus is inside me and all around me.lift the stone and you shall find me etc.thinking back it seems gardening was always on the cards for me.ive always had a sense of cause and effect and that used to blow me away.to make a long story short gardening has helped me to apreciate time.made me realise we cant control all things and that thought calms me inside.

 

Gardening is my therapy.