tv inspiration

just wondered if there was a tv program or tv gardener that has inspired you over the years.

 

All have given me ideas that I use - but inspire, no, I don't think so. Tend to get inspiration from gardens that I see rather than TV programmes.

 

Geoffrey Smith who used to be a TV gardener. I thought he was so enthusiastic about his plants and he was keen on the environment and wild plants before it became fashionable. But it was his writing that enthused me. When I was a kid he used to write about the primulas he was growing at harlow Carr in Harrogate and I remember him writing about Barnhavenh Primroses and how good they were. I was a teenager on a grotty council estate in Manchester and I used to dream of what i would grow when I had my own house.
Well I moved down to Shropshire and started growing and collecting primulas. On my honeymoon in the Lakes 25 years ago I spotted Brigsteer which was where Barnhaven primroses were located then and called in. Since then i won't grow any other type of polyanthus, they just don't hold a candle to the colours in Barnhavens.

 

I was a big fan of Geoffrey Smith too. What happened to him? Also much inspired by "Botanic Man" David Bellamy. Can't stand today's trendy TV garden "designers"

 

Geoff Hamilton was the main man for me. No fussy gadgets or expensive kit.If he needed something for the garden,he made it.

 

Geoffrey must be getting on a bit now. I think he still writes the gardening column for the 'Lady' magazine - my mother in law gets it. Still in the style of when he used to write in 'Popular Gardening' all those years ago.I stll have the two books ' Geoffrey Smith's World Of Flowers' , based on his TV series where he travelled all round the world. Now that was a good series.
He is one of the old fashioned gardeners who learnt his craft the traditional way. Percy Thrower was another one of the old school. I am not so keen on the new ones who are chosen for their presentational skills rather than knowledge as gardeners.
I liked Geoff Hamilton, but then he came to TV relatively late after a career in horticulture.
I also like David Bellamy - what they all have in common is a genuine passion for what they are doing. They talk about what they think is the important thing in their lives, its not just an excuse to get a job on the telly.

 

sorry forgot to put my own favorite Geoff Hamilton was a personal favourite of mine and scottish favourite was Sid from the beach grove garden many years ago sorry can,t for the life of me remeber his second name? can anybody help?

 

Can only be Alan Titchmarsh for me. He is just so passionate about it He really inspires me.

Such a shame he's left Gardeners World. :(

 

TV Program has to be Banana Man :D

And I love the Titchmarsh !!!

 

Roy Lancaster enthusiastic really knows his stuff Geoff Smith, Geoff hamilton and Allan Titchmarsh all good gardeners

 

The person who inspired me most wasn't on tv - if he had been he'd have out-titchmarshed Titchmarsh!! All the ladies would have been swooning..... If he ever reads this, he'll know who he is. He has so much enthusiasm, and loves gardening so much - incredibly infectious! :D

 

Was it George Barron/Baron? I can't recollect a Sid on Beechgrove.
BTW Far prefer Carol Baxter to Charlies Dimocks Carol keeps my mind on gardening.

 

I will have to say Geoff Hamilton for me, i could sit and listen to him for hours.

 

I have to admit to not being a fan of Alan Titmarsh, I think it's a personality thing. I find Carol Klein quite inspiring at the moment.
What do you think of the soooo looovely sweeetie pair on Digging Deep?

 

I used to like watching Bob Flowerdew, the things that man did with an inside out tyre! My all time favourite though is Geoff Hamilton. He's still quoted in our house if there is a gardening problem "Ah well Geoff used to...."