At the beginning of each programme,I am terrified when I see the angle Charlie is trying to saw that pole, with the saw going towards her, hope its just a mock up!
I know,I too used to love him,but he seems to have got a bit above himself.I'm not keen on the way he speaks to his team either,though I think he's trying to be funny. Garden rescue is quite a different matter,but sometimes I wonder where the two,three or four thousand pounds has gone. A year ago my garden was the pits,a tumbling down dry stone wall,dangerous rotting decking,no plants except for hostas and a hardy fuchsia,it certainly hasn't cost thousands to pull down the decking,replace with a smaller slabbed terrace,rebuild the wall ourselves,put up a cheap arch,plant up new beds with some well chosen perennials.A few hundred,but not thousands.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
VG - they do say how much the plants and materials cost and they do big plants that make an instant statement whereas we gardeners are more likely to buy smaller trees and shrubs which will establish faster and cost a lot less. I prefer not to think about how much I have spent on plants, seeds, materials, equipment. Frightening, but not all at once and I don't go clubbing, boozing or to the opera/ballet/theatre so a plant habit is affordable.
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)."
You are so right @Obelixx we don't go for the large statement plants,and I would've loved a beautiful wooden arch,hubby said no.......I'll make you one! I wouldn't let him buy a cheap cheap bench though! False economy!Over the years I've got to know what I can reliably take cuttings and seeds from,also to buy a big perennial and split it! This being the first year here we have spent a bit on height,various climbers etc,but next summer I won't need anything.Even more clued up after all the advice on this great forum. No,I've got nothing I spend a lot on,not into fancy clothes,fags or drugs!😁 Maybe a few canvases and paints!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
I hadn't watched this series - didn't know about it - but I watched one last week which I thought was lovely. A woman who's husband and mother had died and she just had a little paved yard with virtually nothing in it. Thought the transformation was excellent, and she will get loads of enjoyment from it. As Obelixx says - they're often putting in mature plants which cost a fortune, and decent paving or decking isn't cheap. Just installing some fencing or a pergola costs a bit for the concrete footings alone. All these things soon add up. I know what it cost me to do my boundary fence - but it would have been thousands to get people in to do it. It's also important to remember that these shows are also designed as entertainment. The people taking part surely understand that there might be things they won't like, but for a few grand, they're getting a ready made garden to replace something neglected or in a state where they don't know where to start. Pretty fair really.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I think one cost that perhaps gets overlooked is skip hire. Charlie did say in one programme that they were on their 4th one. And they certainly aren't cheap where I live, about £90 just for the mini size which is probably only 2 wheelie bins worth! And they don't seem to mention the cost of painting a fence sometimes. It all does add up quickly.
I actually do like aspects of this program - If you are much more knowledgeable about plants, I expect you might find it tedious to watch, but a beginner like me - you do get lots of tips about certain plants, and its nice to see befores and afters! (even if you don't like what it looks like)
I do prefer the Rich brothers styles of planting, as I prefer a more structured look.
A happy medium would be with aspects of both of them - however, I really don't like the itty bitty stuff Charlie does in some of her designs.
We can all learn something from it, even if it's only what we don't like when we see it done. I usually find Charlie's designs are more about the people and the Rich brothers are more about style . Both have their plus points.
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)."
Posts
Garden rescue is quite a different matter,but sometimes I wonder where the two,three or four thousand pounds has gone.
A year ago my garden was the pits,a tumbling down dry stone wall,dangerous rotting decking,no plants except for hostas and a hardy fuchsia,it certainly hasn't cost thousands to pull down the decking,replace with a smaller slabbed terrace,rebuild the wall ourselves,put up a cheap arch,plant up new beds with some well chosen perennials.A few hundred,but not thousands.
No,I've got nothing I spend a lot on,not into fancy clothes,fags or drugs!😁
Maybe a few canvases and paints!
As Obelixx says - they're often putting in mature plants which cost a fortune, and decent paving or decking isn't cheap. Just installing some fencing or a pergola costs a bit for the concrete footings alone. All these things soon add up. I know what it cost me to do my boundary fence - but it would have been thousands to get people in to do it.
It's also important to remember that these shows are also designed as entertainment. The people taking part surely understand that there might be things they won't like, but for a few grand, they're getting a ready made garden to replace something neglected or in a state where they don't know where to start. Pretty fair really.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I do prefer the Rich brothers styles of planting, as I prefer a more structured look.
A happy medium would be with aspects of both of them - however, I really don't like the itty bitty stuff Charlie does in some of her designs.