If they sacrificed this useful forum - they should also let Monty go

Big Blue Sky · 17 March

I think now Monty Don really needs to retire and let Adam or another younger and more energetic presenter take over. Seriously, if even the forum (much much more useful than Monty’s patronising mumbling) is being shut down - why keep Monty? Just so he can make a few more millions on the back of the programme that wouldn’t survive a week if it wasn’t paid for by the forced subscription.

Fire · 17 March

The decision to cut the forum is nothing to do with the BBC or GW

Jacquimcmahon · 17 March

Yeh perhaps if they really were linked the forum would have lasted and contributed more to real feedback to the show. Without a real life link to the show it was named after it became clear that there was a disconnect between the gardener using the forum and those who really watch the show. To be honest it has been said many times that both the show and magazine have become repetitive and don’t cover real issues that matter to most gardeners, especially those who either don’t have Monty’s unlimited space and budget.

B3 · 17 March

I've been waiting for him to go so that I could give the programme another try

AnniD · 17 March

"Gardeners' World" and "Monty Don" are inextricably linked in the minds of most people. Every now and again there would be a question directed at him.
I can't help thinking of those who have found an interest in gardening (particularly over the last few years) watching the TV programme, getting out in their gardens and then finding they have a question.

Coming indoors, consulting a search engine and coming across the name "Gardeners' World". Surely the first thing they're going to think is that there is a resource that can be trusted.
How wrong can you be ?

I appreciate that the website is still there at least for the time being, but how much knowledge and information has been taken away from everyone ? Even the magazine used to reference the forum now and again.

B3 · 17 March

It's shame there isn't someone to do the job for gardening that Delia Smith did for cookery. No wheelbarrow pushing, no pets and no music. Just clear instruction, right from the beginning. Details and pictures of mature plants, followed by instruction in how to grow them from scratch. Similarly, carpentry, plumbing, needlework and simple construction programmes with simple projects from start to finish - Blue Peter for adults. Electricity or gas might be a step too far.

clematisdorset · 17 March

Electricity or gas might be a step too far.
🤣🤣🤣

Topbird · 17 March

I'm too young to remember ....😉
....but there used to be a programme (BBC probably) in the 50's showing people how to DIY. I've seen one clip which showed how to cover a beautiful 18C or 19C panelled door with a sheet of plywood to make a 'nice' smooth surface door without all those irritating 'dust trap mouldings'.
Similar one to cover up 'old fashioned' (ie period) fireplaces.
Fashions change!

Leave Monty alone - he's better than some of the other GW presenters we've had and his garden doesn't have 'unlimited' space - it's about an acre and was an empty plot turned into a family garden by him and his wife. Geoff Hamilton's garden was bigger.

Remember him moving to Barnsdale and starting to make the garden. One of the first things he did was to import and plant some huge, mature trees to give instant impact. Seen to remember a crane being involved. Now that is beyond the resources of many amateur gardeners.

Any presenter's garden needs to be of a certain size so they can show the development of different areas, schemes and projects.

amancalledgeorge · 17 March

Agree, Monty isn't the problem. I'm not a huge fan but he's affable and inoffensive and I appreciate him talking about sustainability more frequently than most. What the programme is missing is more coverage of house plants as that's a major growing area in horticulture and a lot of people won't have a garden let alone an acre. Currently they cover that gap with viewer submissions but they need to do more.

SN2008 · 17 March

Surprised to see some of the posts here. I really like Monty. Don't find him patronising in the slightest.

Fire · 17 March

These days "patronising" means "I don't like it".

If they sacrificed this useful forum - they should also let Monty go

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