The trouble is that people who don't know he's an amateur, albeit experienced, take him at his word which is not always a good idea. It wouldn't be that hard to do some research on else explain that he is trying something out. That is largely down to th eproduction team tho as AT and GH both managed to include caveats about doing things difefrently or not at all if soil and local climate didn't suit.
There are plenty of professional plantsmen and women out there who can and do present very well. I suspect Carol is the victim of "direction" as I'm told she doesn't talk like that in private conversations. I think it's great that GW has been an hour long for most of this season but could do without some of the fluff that has crept in. I suspect they're trying to gain a younger audience but doubt it will work in this format.
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)."
Don't know if I count as young (I'm 32) but have only been gardening a few years and only known the show with Monty Don. I love his garden and the ethos he has about gardening in general (try things out, do what you personally like as opposed to worrying about trends, be wildlife friendly, be organic, etc.). I've been enjoying Toby's visits to gardens around the country as well. Occasionally there's a segment I'm less interested in, but on the most part I absolutely love the show, and will certainly miss it!
I know that most gardens will have a reasonably sized lawn, but I'd argue it's a strength of Monty's garden that he doesn't have much of one, as it means he can cover more styles of gardening which hopefully means there's something useful for everyone over the year.
I don't know about mistakes, but my impression is he does generally say when he's unsure about something and just giving it a go. He's definitely mentioned things that have failed at least a couple of times this year. And even if he does make 'mistakes', I don't think anyone could say the garden isn't beautiful, so he must have a pretty good idea what he's doing!
I think the garden is far from beautiful. Hubby said the other night" is it just me or is his garden a total car crash. It's a total mess" I just find it very claustrophobic and the paths are all so narrow , 2 folk can't walk side by side. The nice worm lady the other week walked dutifully behind him. Yes we all make mistakes, and yes he does admit to them, but to assert , eg , that fennel gets to "10 or even 12 feet" high, or that liatris gets to " 5 or 6ft" is factually inaccurate. He seems a perfectly nice person and it's his garden so it doesn't really matter if any of us love it or loathe it, but my fear is folk might well waste a lot of money if they take what he says as gospel.
@AndyDean, from where l am, you're young enough ! It's interesting to hear it from a younger person's perspective. I don't know if you watch Beechgrove, but if so l would be interested to know your take on that. I have just caught up with last week's episode, and was struck by just how much practical advice it contained.
Anni - since B'grove went nationwide a few years ago, it's amazing how many folk south of the border now rate it far higher than G's World. It's largely due, I think, to the practical tips and advice which have always been a big feature of the prog. It can often be something very simple which takes 20 or 30 seconds to impart. I mentioned here recently that when MD was doing something, he could easily have enlarged on the subject. It would have taken that 20 or 30 seconds to do it, but there was nothing. A missed opportunity I'm afraid. I feel that's where G'sW has lost it's edge, and possibly lost it's way in recent years. It used to be the 'brand leader', but it's struggling to hang onto that title nowadays.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Me too Hosta. I itch to get a stonking strimmer or bulldozer to at least half of those hedges. I like a sense of space and light and don't want to be hemmed in.
AnniD - good, haven't watched last week's Beechgrove yet but it is amazing how much they pack in to just 30 inutes and without it feeling pressured. Lovely stuff.
I suspect Monty's GW is fine if it's all you know but it is definitely not the best there has been. He does have some lovely plants but he also has some I would never grow, even if I had his cold, wet clay and yes, he does nw own up to some mistakes these days but it's been a long time coming.
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)."
Anni - yes, I do watch Beechgrove and really enjoy it, although I find they’re a lot keener on bedding plants than I am! A lot of faff for little gain in my opinion... I think I want to be inspired by a garden, which Beechgrove doesn’t do for me, it’s often very informative but in terms of design I find it a bit lacking... I still really enjoy it though, don’t get me wrong!
Hostafan - I completely disagree, I’d love his garden. But we each have our own tastes! For example, I’m no fan of hostas And his fennel looks pretty darn tall to me... Mine is about 2 foot, but his looks at least 8! Admittedly, that’s not 10 or 12 I suppose. If I could grow some that tall I’d be very happy, I love it.
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When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
And thanks for explaining IMHO obvious in hindsight
There are plenty of professional plantsmen and women out there who can and do present very well. I suspect Carol is the victim of "direction" as I'm told she doesn't talk like that in private conversations. I think it's great that GW has been an hour long for most of this season but could do without some of the fluff that has crept in. I suspect they're trying to gain a younger audience but doubt it will work in this format.
I know that most gardens will have a reasonably sized lawn, but I'd argue it's a strength of Monty's garden that he doesn't have much of one, as it means he can cover more styles of gardening which hopefully means there's something useful for everyone over the year.
I don't know about mistakes, but my impression is he does generally say when he's unsure about something and just giving it a go. He's definitely mentioned things that have failed at least a couple of times this year. And even if he does make 'mistakes', I don't think anyone could say the garden isn't beautiful, so he must have a pretty good idea what he's doing!
Hubby said the other night" is it just me or is his garden a total car crash. It's a total mess"
I just find it very claustrophobic and the paths are all so narrow , 2 folk can't walk side by side.
The nice worm lady the other week walked dutifully behind him.
Yes we all make mistakes, and yes he does admit to them, but to assert , eg , that fennel gets to "10 or even 12 feet" high, or that liatris gets to " 5 or 6ft" is factually inaccurate.
He seems a perfectly nice person and it's his garden so it doesn't really matter if any of us love it or loathe it, but my fear is folk might well waste a lot of money if they take what he says as gospel.
It's largely due, I think, to the practical tips and advice which have always been a big feature of the prog. It can often be something very simple which takes 20 or 30 seconds to impart. I mentioned here recently that when MD was doing something, he could easily have enlarged on the subject. It would have taken that 20 or 30 seconds to do it, but there was nothing. A missed opportunity I'm afraid.
I feel that's where G'sW has lost it's edge, and possibly lost it's way in recent years. It used to be the 'brand leader', but it's struggling to hang onto that title nowadays.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
AnniD - good, haven't watched last week's Beechgrove yet but it is amazing how much they pack in to just 30 inutes and without it feeling pressured. Lovely stuff.
I suspect Monty's GW is fine if it's all you know but it is definitely not the best there has been. He does have some lovely plants but he also has some I would never grow, even if I had his cold, wet clay and yes, he does nw own up to some mistakes these days but it's been a long time coming.