He has no formal training or qualifications and that leads him to make mistakes both in his own garden - which anyone can do - but also when giving advice on TV and that is a worry.
It is his weakness but I think it's also a strength as far as presenting GW is concerned. His predecessor on the programme, who does have formal horticultural training (and likes to tell everyone about it at every opportunity), sometimes gave off an air of 'if you've not been properly trained you shouldn't attempt this', whereas MD comes across as 'what the hey give it a go - whats the worst that can happen?'. That's not terribly helpful if you're looking for information, but if your aim is to motivate novices to jump in and try, it's more accessible as a style of presenting.
They do try to balance enthusiastic amateur with people who actually know what they are talking about and I know there's a few on here that think they get that wrong. But I wouldn't criticise them for trying to have some amateurism in this type of programme. And he isn't ALWAYS wrong - quite often he is right, at least for a garden in central England on a flat site with clay soil and established hedges. Even Chris Beardshaw on Beechgrove, of whom I've not yet heard it said 'he doesn't know what he's talking about', gives advice now and then that I would dispute (taking cuttings from bearded iris, for example). And Adam Frost (dealing with bindweed). And if you're going to argue about MD's lapses into nonsensical hyperbole, Ms Klein is frequently even more ridiculous.
If MD's relaxed style and dopey dogs encourage more people to watch and maybe try growing a few runner beans or petunias, then that's a Good Thing generally, surely?
ETA I'm completely with you on the banana though Obs
Last edited: 22 September 2017 16:14:24
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I suspect you're right RG and he does maybe make it accessible for beginners. My problem is that I'm an amateur who learned masses from watching GH and AT both on GW and their special winter series which seemed to me to be well considered, planned and filmed with accessible info for many kinds of gardener.
I am very conscious that I haven't learned anything of significance from MD himself in all the years he's been presenting GW and I find his winter series - 80 gardens, French gardens, Italian gardens - badly planned. Who, in their right mind, plans to film an imperial summer garden in the depths of winter? It's like planning to film the red deer rutting in April!
Better than TB tho, over whom I shall quietly gloss but he does still set my teeth on edge whenever they wheel him out at Chelsea.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
All TV Programmes follow the same lines these days and that is to entertain those who have little knowledge of what they are watching, SCD is one of those which went from correct forms of dancing to light, (very light) entertainment. I have watched gardening programmes from the gardener being in his best suit collar and tie wielding a spade to Monty. Those old time gardeners had learned from their fathers as i learned from mine it was essential to provide food for the family, lawns were to play bowls on at the club the ground could be used more efficiently. I have by watching Monty and reading his books learned things I did not know as I have off other presenters of GW, probably more so because dad's motto was "if you cannot eat it or sell it do not grow it" at that time that was the attitude of all gardeners.
As an Engineer I had a technical library for reference that gave me every bolt and washer of any machine I worked on, the same with gardening I get my many RHS books out if I need to know a procedure in gardening not seen before, as I suspect many writing on here do, and why not it is why we have those books in the first place. For correct information get the books out, to nose into other peoples gardens watch GW, it is not rocket science.
Posts
It is his weakness but I think it's also a strength as far as presenting GW is concerned. His predecessor on the programme, who does have formal horticultural training (and likes to tell everyone about it at every opportunity), sometimes gave off an air of 'if you've not been properly trained you shouldn't attempt this', whereas MD comes across as 'what the hey give it a go - whats the worst that can happen?'. That's not terribly helpful if you're looking for information, but if your aim is to motivate novices to jump in and try, it's more accessible as a style of presenting.
They do try to balance enthusiastic amateur with people who actually know what they are talking about and I know there's a few on here that think they get that wrong. But I wouldn't criticise them for trying to have some amateurism in this type of programme. And he isn't ALWAYS wrong - quite often he is right, at least for a garden in central England on a flat site with clay soil and established hedges. Even Chris Beardshaw on Beechgrove, of whom I've not yet heard it said 'he doesn't know what he's talking about', gives advice now and then that I would dispute (taking cuttings from bearded iris, for example). And Adam Frost (dealing with bindweed). And if you're going to argue about MD's lapses into nonsensical hyperbole, Ms Klein is frequently even more ridiculous.
If MD's relaxed style and dopey dogs encourage more people to watch and maybe try growing a few runner beans or petunias, then that's a Good Thing generally, surely?
ETA I'm completely with you on the banana though Obs
Last edited: 22 September 2017 16:14:24
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I suspect you're right RG and he does maybe make it accessible for beginners. My problem is that I'm an amateur who learned masses from watching GH and AT both on GW and their special winter series which seemed to me to be well considered, planned and filmed with accessible info for many kinds of gardener.
I am very conscious that I haven't learned anything of significance from MD himself in all the years he's been presenting GW and I find his winter series - 80 gardens, French gardens, Italian gardens - badly planned. Who, in their right mind, plans to film an imperial summer garden in the depths of winter? It's like planning to film the red deer rutting in April!
Better than TB tho, over whom I shall quietly gloss but he does still set my teeth on edge whenever they wheel him out at Chelsea.
All TV Programmes follow the same lines these days and that is to entertain those who have little knowledge of what they are watching, SCD is one of those which went from correct forms of dancing to light, (very light) entertainment. I have watched gardening programmes from the gardener being in his best suit collar and tie wielding a spade to Monty. Those old time gardeners had learned from their fathers as i learned from mine it was essential to provide food for the family, lawns were to play bowls on at the club the ground could be used more efficiently. I have by watching Monty and reading his books learned things I did not know as I have off other presenters of GW, probably more so because dad's motto was "if you cannot eat it or sell it do not grow it" at that time that was the attitude of all gardeners.
As an Engineer I had a technical library for reference that gave me every bolt and washer of any machine I worked on, the same with gardening I get my many RHS books out if I need to know a procedure in gardening not seen before, as I suspect many writing on here do, and why not it is why we have those books in the first place. For correct information get the books out, to nose into other peoples gardens watch GW, it is not rocket science.
Frank.
I wonder what he would be like presenting a cookery programme , Nigel and Nellie could help in the kitchen ?
I have his book called The Home Cookbook. It's a very nice book with plain simple recipes that anyone would like to cook and eat.