I was a bit confused by the driveway planting as well @Tin pot. I know when Adam dug down where the gravel had been, he said the soil was clay but there was also silt ? He added compost to the existing flower beds under the window and along the side, but the other plants that went directly into the gravel area just seemed to go into holes into the clay/silt. Presumably it's well drained, but l did wonder how easy it would be for the roots to find their way into any soil, such as there was. It was a big improvement but as you say, l wondered how they would manage.
Not just me then!
I rewatched it this morning and I’m still wondering. They seemed to take up the gravel and the weed membrane, but at the end the gravel was still there with a few grasses and shrubs within it. It looked nicer though!
i think you’re right it was a bit rushed, but I did like it despite that. I like the concept of quick makeovers, it gets the ball rolling and sometimes gives me inspiring ideas. I could do with one myself, I look at my garden and despite the hundreds of hours I’ve put in it basically looks the same - a few extra people and a short timescale would kick me into action
I think we have to accept that GW is not really a programme for gardeners any more. It's a magazine programme for armchair gardeners who pop down to the garden centre on a sunny weekend to buy a few bedding plants for a pot by the door, mow the lawn and that's about it. It tries to encourage those who are fearful of trying to grow plants because they don't know anything about the process to go to RHS and NGS gardens and eat cake, admire what others have done and maybe try a slightly more adventurous bedding plant. Or a broad bean plant instead.
The sainted GH had a different TV audience. If you want to know how to build a garden trellis out of off-cuts of wood now, Google it. You'll find dozens and dozens of people doing it on Youtube. There is no point in scheduled TV trying to do what streaming services can provide far more conveniently - i.e. specific and to the point information at the time you think of it.
I agree that it would be good if plants were named on the screen (as they generally are on Beechgrove), but in the end if you want to know, best to just pop on here and ask nutcutlet.
Just as Countryfile was reinvented from a programme about and for people who live in the countryside to a stalwart replacement for the old 'celts in the countryside' Sunday evening slot (Hamish Macbeth, Ballykissangel et al), aimed at people living in towns, something nice and comfortable to watch so they get to know their own country without actually having to go there and get muddy. GW is a gentle weekend TV programme for people who like the idea of gardening more than its practice. And - sorry Hosta - those people prefer the dogs to the plants.
You could argue that that leaves a gap in programmes for those of us who are not armchair novices and are looking for genuine inspiration and information. But I think there are too few of us to support a prime time TV offer
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I think there’s a lot in what you say ... a large part of GW is about aspiration, another bit is about inspiration ... and a tiny bit is about perspiration 😉
I still enjoy watching it tho’
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
A person can have as many gold medals as they like but it doesn't necessarily make them a good presenter, because that's what they are doing:presenting.
On the whole I enjoy the programme but ff through annoying bits occasionally. I am tired of the BBC's obsession with being PC.
I feel that Adam is just a more 'accessible' version of Monty and his garden. It struck me that he is doing exactly the same things with his enormous garden as Monty has done.
That's very well put @raisingirl , I think you are right. I suppose it's just things like Adam's makeover - I picture people thinking "That's a good idea, we'll improve our front garden" and doing just what they saw on TV where plants were apparently planted in the gravel. Then the plants don't survive, they get disheartened and give up. Thank heavens for this forum and people who are willing to help and advise.
I think there’s a lot in what you say ... a large part of GW is about aspiration, another bit is about inspiration ... and a tiny bit is about perspiration 😉
I still enjoy watching it tho’
me too. If you aren't expecting to need to take notes - just let it wash over you - it's very enjoyable TV, compared to most of the misery and gloom that's on these days.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
sadly no one seems to want experts any more, that is why programmes appear dumbed down, for those of us that actually garden seriously. Having said that I still love the programme.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Raisin girl you have put it perfectly and hit the nail on the head! I will continue to watch it until Adam takes over and use books and this forum for any advice I need as I do now.
If you want to see how far GW has moved from its roots (excuse the pun) you just have to consider how rarely plant names are shown now, and as far as I know GW doesn't issue a plant list on the website each week, and that would be a great help.
The remit of the BBC is to inform,educate and entertain. Perhaps they have lost sight of the first two or have replaced them with to create jobs and to sell programmes abroad
Posts
I rewatched it this morning and I’m still wondering. They seemed to take up the gravel and the weed membrane, but at the end the gravel was still there with a few grasses and shrubs within it. It looked nicer though!
@Borderline
i think you’re right it was a bit rushed, but I did like it despite that. I like the concept of quick makeovers, it gets the ball rolling and sometimes gives me inspiring ideas. I could do with one myself, I look at my garden and despite the hundreds of hours I’ve put in it basically looks the same - a few extra people and a short timescale would kick me into action
The sainted GH had a different TV audience. If you want to know how to build a garden trellis out of off-cuts of wood now, Google it. You'll find dozens and dozens of people doing it on Youtube. There is no point in scheduled TV trying to do what streaming services can provide far more conveniently - i.e. specific and to the point information at the time you think of it.
I agree that it would be good if plants were named on the screen (as they generally are on Beechgrove), but in the end if you want to know, best to just pop on here and ask nutcutlet.
Just as Countryfile was reinvented from a programme about and for people who live in the countryside to a stalwart replacement for the old 'celts in the countryside' Sunday evening slot (Hamish Macbeth, Ballykissangel et al), aimed at people living in towns, something nice and comfortable to watch so they get to know their own country without actually having to go there and get muddy. GW is a gentle weekend TV programme for people who like the idea of gardening more than its practice. And - sorry Hosta - those people prefer the dogs to the plants.
You could argue that that leaves a gap in programmes for those of us who are not armchair novices and are looking for genuine inspiration and information. But I think there are too few of us to support a prime time TV offer
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I still enjoy watching it tho’
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
On the whole I enjoy the programme but ff through annoying bits occasionally. I am tired of the BBC's obsession with being PC.
I feel that Adam is just a more 'accessible' version of Monty and his garden. It struck me that he is doing exactly the same things with his enormous garden as Monty has done.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Having said that I still love the programme.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border