Alwaya tape GW but based on what I have heard on here i will not bother watching it. I prefer when it is about what we can grow in our climate as that is what we have to expect.
Anyway, Beechcroft is a bit more grounded and goes back to basics, that what a gardening programme should be about
Oh give it a go Steve, don't be biased by others opinions.
Like Frank says, it's a nosey into other peoples gardens. A bit of escapism or inspiration, however you look at it. I'm never going to do tropical growing here in Manchester but it's nice to look at it in others gardens.
The practical stuff should be coming when the hour long episodes start up. In the meantime I'm picking the clever brains on the forum for advice
Yes, give it a go Steve. I can assure you that you will have widened your knowledge of tropical plants, lichen and much, much more by the end of the programme.
Thanks for sharing those wonderful lichen pictures Papi Jo. Lichen are fascinating, but most of the time we just walk past without casting an eye on the formations. Aren't they the oldest plant life on this planet?
Papi Jo, wonderful pictures, loved them, a look back over millions of years, not those plants of course their forbears, to a History Buff a long look into the past. The start of life on land and if you study them properly they have memory, destroy their enemies and out live us by eons.
The Peat free sermon is to please those people who in their innocence wrecked our Peat industry which was mainly Ireland anyway and moved it to Eastern Europe. Any one living near docks will know it is imported by the ton, most of the big seed companies still use it and many of the pots bought will contain some peat. If we really wish to go back to the glorious past for wild life we should ship all the people to a desert somewhere and let the UK become what it once was one huge forest with the seas around the coast as the main highways. You can still get imported peat bails if you know where to look.
Steve, how long would you be interested in watching a programme that every week told you how to plant a carrot how to grow a leek, the eatable ones from Wales not those monstrous un eatable things we grow for show in the NE, or how to chit a potato. I think interest would rapidly wane and audiences dwindle. It is a Garden Show not a tutorial on how to plant everyday things. It is a look over the garden fence at what other people are doing, mixed with a lesson in how to of probably one item. It is that mix which keeps the audience, try it, look at Paps Jo's pictures, the wonders of nature always intrigue.
I was morbidly fascinated by all the plasters on Monty's left hand (right as we looked at it) while he was sowing the tomato seeds. Was there any mention of what he did to need so many ? A fair bit of fast forwarding by me so I may have missed any explanation !
I found each of the items mildly interesting on its own, but, for me, it was the combination of them all that made the whole episode very boring. There just wasn't almost anything topical this week. (I really enjoyed the first two episodes, though!)
I'm really looking forward to watching Beechgrove again.
I love Beechgrove for it's "practicality" and I appreciate the difference between the two programmes. I can't help but feel that subjects like the visit to Barbados etc. would be better as part of a programme at that "dead" time of year around Christmas when we are all stuck indoors.At this time of year practical tips and inspiration for UK gardening is what I'm looking for.
Posts
Alwaya tape GW but based on what I have heard on here i will not bother watching it. I prefer when it is about what we can grow in our climate as that is what we have to expect.
Anyway, Beechcroft is a bit more grounded and goes back to basics, that what a gardening programme should be about
Oh give it a go Steve, don't be biased by others opinions.
Like Frank says, it's a nosey into other peoples gardens. A bit of escapism or inspiration, however you look at it. I'm never going to do tropical growing here in Manchester but it's nice to look at it in others gardens.
The practical stuff should be coming when the hour long episodes start up. In the meantime I'm picking the clever brains on the forum for advice
For the lichen lovers, a small selection from my collection of lichen photos. Enjoy!
Yes, give it a go Steve. I can assure you that you will have widened your knowledge of tropical plants, lichen and much, much more by the end of the programme.
Thanks for sharing those wonderful lichen pictures Papi Jo. Lichen are fascinating, but most of the time we just walk past without casting an eye on the formations. Aren't they the oldest plant life on this planet?
Just on a note of factual accuracy:
MD on tomato seeds :
" Any peat free compost will do"
I have to say , peat based composts are at least as good . Why does he insist on giving his personal preferences as hard and fast, rules?
How about :
" I don't like using peat based compost ( for reasons A, B and C )so I use peat free, but peat based compost are just as good"
Just a thought.
Papi Jo, wonderful pictures, loved them, a look back over millions of years, not those plants of course their forbears, to a History Buff a long look into the past. The start of life on land and if you study them properly they have memory, destroy their enemies and out live us by eons.
The Peat free sermon is to please those people who in their innocence wrecked our Peat industry which was mainly Ireland anyway and moved it to Eastern Europe. Any one living near docks will know it is imported by the ton, most of the big seed companies still use it and many of the pots bought will contain some peat. If we really wish to go back to the glorious past for wild life we should ship all the people to a desert somewhere and let the UK become what it once was one huge forest with the seas around the coast as the main highways. You can still get imported peat bails if you know where to look.
Steve, how long would you be interested in watching a programme that every week told you how to plant a carrot how to grow a leek, the eatable ones from Wales not those monstrous un eatable things we grow for show in the NE, or how to chit a potato. I think interest would rapidly wane and audiences dwindle. It is a Garden Show not a tutorial on how to plant everyday things. It is a look over the garden fence at what other people are doing, mixed with a lesson in how to of probably one item. It is that mix which keeps the audience, try it, look at Paps Jo's pictures, the wonders of nature always intrigue.
Frank.
Lovely lichen photos Papi Joe!
Today we visited Dawyck Botanic Gardens which has a large cryptogamic sanctuary. I've been there many times and it never disappoints.
I take a little field lens ... just 10x magnification .... but it makes such a difference to see the detail.
"Hats off" to GW for featuring lichens in the programme this week.
Bee
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I was morbidly fascinated by all the plasters on Monty's left hand (right as we looked at it) while he was sowing the tomato seeds. Was there any mention of what he did to need so many ? A fair bit of fast forwarding by me so I may have missed any explanation !
I found each of the items mildly interesting on its own, but, for me, it was the combination of them all that made the whole episode very boring. There just wasn't almost anything topical this week. (I really enjoyed the first two episodes, though!)
I'm really looking forward to watching Beechgrove again.
I love Beechgrove for it's "practicality" and I appreciate the difference between the two programmes. I can't help but feel that subjects like the visit to Barbados etc. would be better as part of a programme at that "dead" time of year around Christmas when we are all stuck indoors.At this time of year practical tips and inspiration for UK gardening is what I'm looking for.