Most people who comment on this thread do love it, but it's a bit like Friends in that "I loved the one about... but not the one about.." Your garden sounds great, and like you, many people here have benefitted from GW advice over many years. It won't stop us having a moan now and again though.
moan moan moan moan moan. There that's much better. Not that I didn't say all along I still like and watch the show. Just a shame Monty is too aloof to share any real knowledge or think out a presentation. Maybe in away it makes me like him more...
It’s odd how people have such different perceptions ... I’ve never thought of MD as aloof ... far from it. I’ve thought Rachel dT a bit distant in the past, but she’s mellowed recently.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I would like to add that I really enjoy the experts and plant enthusiasts. They usually have very useful tips on growing their specific plant. The peony lady was interesting but I wish she had mentioned how to overcome cultural and pest problems of the plant. That's what I watch the program for: tips and ideas. I don't want to see basics over and over again but I do realise that new gardeners need these.
The only GW presenter that I've found annoying (in over 30 years of watching) was Toby Buckland. I'm sure he's a lovely chap but somehow I just didn't like his presenting style. I like to see lots of different experts and different gardens - sure they aren't all talking about things that I could do or grow here, but part of the point is to see those different things.
Reminders of basics are good in moderation, but I wish they would use clips of Geoff Hamilton doing them rather than from more recent years - he was the master.
But my favourite from recent weeks has to be Adam's cat, casually wandering into shot as if it's his show . I seem to recall he had two kittens last year - I hope the other one's just camera-shy.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
It’s odd how people have such different perceptions ... I’ve never thought of MD as aloof ... far from it. I’ve thought Rachel dT a bit distant in the past, but she’s mellowed recently.
I'ts interesting you say that. I think what is at the bottom of it all, is the show has matured with a lot of us. 30 years on I don't really need basic instruction either. MD certainly can come across as aloof to me (Rachel still does), though I don't mind it personally, if that makes sense. I imagine a new gardener and I've heard many say it, do find him that way. It is about being able to put oneself in other peoples shoes occasionally.
Far from the internet replacing the need for more informative practical gardening clips, for me it is the simple memory of how well presented television was in the past. (GH being the obvious example, where I always came away knowing something I really didn't before, or had new inspiration or a clever new way to do things)
There were presenters who could pass a lot of knowledge on in an easily digestible way. MD though I personally like him, falls so far short of that, to me at least it is glaringly obvious he can't really be all that bothered, because he certainly does not lack the knowledge.
Just give me a bit more Adam, I'll stop moaning. Also keep MD, the utter weirdness of his life at Longmeadow appeals to my depressive nature at times.
I think Monty's aloof and not a good people person unless he knows and likes you and he certainly lacks the "common touch". However, he is certainly articulate so when he does wax lyrical it's great but he isn't good at the bitty detail needed for beginner gardeners or people switching to growing veggies for the first time because they have the time and the need.
Nor is he good at empathy with viewers who have a small plot in a suburban setting with close neighbours and noise and privacy issues. The more experienced of us will know or work out how to adapt some of the plant choices and tips to their own garden but there really is nothing on GW at the mo for someone who finally has the time and motivation to do something with their outdoor space.
I also think that if you're a Brit, gardening in California, then MD and GW will be a welcome breath of fresh air compared to what I've seen of USA gardening TV and gardens but if you're over here and have been watching GW for nearly 40 years thru several incarnations then there's plenty on today's GW that could be improved.
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)."
I wonder how much old footage there is available to transmit. Wouldn't it be great if some enthusiastic editor managed a series of lockdown collections of bits from the past. I've even got the title sorted out: Come On! Vacuuming Is Dull! 19 ways to grow your own...... Food......Flowers.....weeds
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
@Obelixx totally, it is somewhat frustrating that simply discussing the current shortcomings is a green light to some to go into defensive mode. We know what the show use to be and what it could be today.
The prices may have changed, but the amount of information and the standard of presenting is a Gardeners World apart from the current show.
Knowledge, innovation and never afraid to admit when something failed. Mostly though, it is simply professional television presentation.
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Far from the internet replacing the need for more informative practical gardening clips, for me it is the simple memory of how well presented television was in the past. (GH being the obvious example, where I always came away knowing something I really didn't before, or had new inspiration or a clever new way to do things)
There were presenters who could pass a lot of knowledge on in an easily digestible way. MD though I personally like him, falls so far short of that, to me at least it is glaringly obvious he can't really be all that bothered, because he certainly does not lack the knowledge.
Just give me a bit more Adam, I'll stop moaning. Also keep MD, the utter weirdness of his life at Longmeadow appeals to my depressive nature at times.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Nor is he good at empathy with viewers who have a small plot in a suburban setting with close neighbours and noise and privacy issues. The more experienced of us will know or work out how to adapt some of the plant choices and tips to their own garden but there really is nothing on GW at the mo for someone who finally has the time and motivation to do something with their outdoor space.
I also think that if you're a Brit, gardening in California, then MD and GW will be a welcome breath of fresh air compared to what I've seen of USA gardening TV and gardens but if you're over here and have been watching GW for nearly 40 years thru several incarnations then there's plenty on today's GW that could be improved.
Come
On!
Vacuuming
Is
Dull!
19 ways to grow your own...... Food......Flowers.....weeds
The prices may have changed, but the amount of information and the standard of presenting is a Gardeners World apart from the current show.
Knowledge, innovation and never afraid to admit when something failed. Mostly though, it is simply professional television presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DIWrbdnSvc