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GW NEW SERIES starts 9 March 2012
This discussion has been closed.
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Message 1.Â
Posted by drwalter (U1365507) on Saturday, 18th February 2012
GW NEW SERIES starts 9 March 2012 according to the RADIO TIMES.
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Message 2
Posted by Sir Plantalot (U11098143) on Monday, 20th February 2012
Great news, it's my birthday so a lovely present, ( just keep it all in focus and I'll be a very happy bunny)
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Message 3
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Tuesday, 21st February 2012
With good news like that - I know Spring is nearly here - yeah !
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Message 4
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Wednesday, 22nd February 2012
I hope they cover sweet-peas!
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Message 5
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Thursday, 23rd February 2012
And I'd love to know when and how to trim my box hedges
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Message 6
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Tuesday, 28th February 2012
Monty's tweeted that they start filming tomorrow. Lovely mild weather for it.
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Message 7
Posted by propergardener (U15164672) on Monday, 5th March 2012
Mid summer.
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Message 8
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 6th March 2012
What is in store
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Message 9
Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Tuesday, 6th March 2012
Yay Mr J Swift is still presenting.
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Message 10
Posted by Yakram (U2443370) on Friday, 9th March 2012
This 'old hand' enjoyed the first programme, and feels some optimism that a new start is a good start.
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Message 11
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
Personally, I felt that the program was out of synch with what's happening in my own garden.
Things in my garden are quite hectic now - sowing seeds, waking stored plants, potting up small plants, and some going outside, - all the things that were covered in the 90-second feature 'things to do this weekend', right at the end of the program. Surely Monty could have said a few more words about a lot of those activites, and many more topical activities. I suppose that some viewers would then have moaned that Monty was going over things that everyone should already know. The Buddlea pruning was topical and useful.
Many of the scenes seemed to have been filmed in Wintery sunlight, and I felt that the overall feel of this program was more like the end of Winter; rather than the start of Summer, which is what things actually feel like outside, right now.
The chunk of the program talking about styles of boundary fence was a waste of time. Joe Swift was of practical more use in a previous year, when he was put to work clearing out an elderly lady's filthy pond; rather than dreaming about his highly-anticipated Chelsea Gold Medal.
A couple of interesting points - from Carol, about stinging nettles providing just the right shade for Hellebores. And from Monty about the Victorian cultivation of blackberries.
I noticed that by 60 seconds into the new series, Carol had used the word magical. And later Monty talked about the magic in the soil, and how it makes him come alive. Actually, plants grow because of DNA and sunlight, and things like that. Not because of magic.
Well, I can't spend any more time writing this... got loads to do outside... and it's going to be a nice warm weekend... enjoy yourselves... -
Message 12
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
A good enough start to the new series, though it is clear that it is going to be 'more of the same'. I suppose I was hoping that there would be some 'freshening' that I would approve of, but we still have the same cast performing much the same roles.
I enjoyed the Monty segments. He's still weeks ahead of me in terms of weather opportunity, but at least it gets my mind into gear for the year ahead. I still can't get my head round Carol's inability to control the laughter, but always appreciate her knowledge, and pay attention to all advice proffered. Joe and Rachel are the big puzzles. Joe's pieces now seem to traditionally commence with him strolling past a succession of path ends (as though he were trying to find his way out of a maze). He's now being projected as the 'Designaa in residence', and somehow he just never seems to connect with me. I can't make up my mind whether it's Joe or his subject that I find the most boring. I realise the importance of thinking about what we're trying to achieve in the garden, but can't imagine over 1% of gardeners actually sitting down with paper and pencil and analysing things to this degree. In fact, I take some pleasure in changing things around on a regular basis, to freshen things up. It doesn't somehow matter whether the garden is slightly better or slightly worse - as long as it's slightly different and looks good to me.
I've never really taken to Rachel. I appreciate that she is (was) easy on the eye, but I can never actually accept that she knows any more about gardening than any regular on this board. There is simply nothing that lifts her out of the 'ordinary' category. Perhaps someone will tell me what I'm missing here.
Still, it's now official confirmation that winter is coming to an end, and we can all start to thinks about our garden plans once again. -
Message 13
Posted by drwalter (U1365507) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
GW NEW SERIES starts 9 March 2012 according to the RADIO TIMES. Nice to have the team back but I doubt what Monty said about being "we you throughout the growing season". They'll be gaps for summer hols or even the London Olympics.
Anyway, welcome back!
Just a thought; (1) Get a "throat lozenge company" to sponsor the show so Rachel get rid of that husky-throaty voice. Poor love. (2) When you attach a "tie-mic" to clothing could you make sure it will not interfere with the sound recording. Carol's padded-vinyl jacket made her sound, in places, like a plastic shopping bag rattling around in the wind.
Content comment: still too much wandering around and jump-edits (not a technical term but relates to chopping-and-changing the shots without concentrating on what is taking place; say, a pruning event or cutting taking). GW is not a "yoouf" television show (and never will be - you tried that in 2009-ish and there was a backlash) so s l o w down Mr. Director. Take your time, let the programme unfurl across the 28 minutes. It would have been nice to see an illustration of Monty's new pond so we could see the eventual 'look'.
Good luck in 2012.
BTW Where was the on-channel advertising for GW? Never saw any on Â鶹Éç 2 or Â鶹Éç 1? -
Message 14
Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
I really enjoyed this start to the season. I even liked Jo's bit and I am not his biggest fan usually. My only complaint was that it was too short. The hellebore segment was very interesting and I thought the tip about them naturally liking to grow with nettles was useful. Not that I am going to plant nettles in my garden! I will be thinking about less stingy alternatives.
I also do not believe that they will be showing this series without a break, despite what Monty said. It would be nice but won't happen. -
Message 15
Posted by Walewein (U15180711) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
New to this new board I used to be on the old message board. I do like Monty however I did think that this week his work in the garden was very scrappy. His supports for rasberries were far to tall you would need a ladder to pick the fruit.
his digging is ther messiest I have ever seen, you could see scraps of the green manure on the surface, it was was uneven and he left all the soil on the paths around. I wouldn't want him working in my gardens with shoddy work like that. If he wants a lesson in how to dig I am willing to teach him. If someone is showing what to do on tv then surely they should be doing it properly? As for his pond if he doesn't shorten the surrounding hedges then it will be in shade for most of the day. -
Message 16
Posted by ArtemisH (U14261033) on Saturday, 10th March 2012
I was truly looking forward to the new series and having just watched the first episode I can say that I'm not exactly disheartened but still remain disappointed that we continue to be treated to tiny little snatches of this or that.
We do not all suffer from ADD. We can concentrate for far longer than 4-5 minutes on any subject matter. Honest!
As to the endless parade of gardeners, I fail to comprehend its advantage. Is it, "let's give them a variety, so they might, hopefully, like at least one"?
AND, shouldn't Carol, our gardening treasure, play a proper role? -
Message 17
Posted by PenylanSue (U13901201) on Sunday, 11th March 2012
I am sorry to pick on a new poster but I have to pick you up on a couple of points. My raspberry supports are equally as tall which means that there is plenty of room for the net to go over the top and for me to get inside and pick without getting caught up. There are also many raspberries that grow tall.
As for the digging, he was digging in a green manure. It did not need to be dug in any better than that. It didn't matter than some was still showing as it is going to start rotting down soon. There is absolutely no need to dig it in any more than that. And as for sweepiing the path, I don't think we needed to see that!
Welcome to the board anyway, Sue -
Message 18
Posted by Walewein (U15180711) on Sunday, 11th March 2012
Much better to let a green manure rot down under the surface. I am maybe not so tall as you so have no problems with shorter fruit supports. I accept you'd points on the rasberry supports but the digging was dreadful and badly done and really should have been demonstrated a lot better, I hate scrappy work in a garden.I do have very high standards. However I do generally like Monty though so hopefully my comments will be nicer in weeks to come if his work improves!
I will add I grow raspberries (and other veg) commercially but am always willing to learn. -
Message 19
Posted by tiptonnic (U14496053) on Monday, 12th March 2012
I was just happy to have a weekly gardening programme back on the box, Beechgrove will be on shortly so something to look forward to each week
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Message 20
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Monday, 12th March 2012
A very good start and lots of topics covered. I would like to have heard a bit more detail about plant growing conditions and maintenance to help avoid failures. How many people will plant their witch hazel in chalk or sand and then wonder why it struggles? The Hellebore item was interesting and lovely to view but again, just a little more detail about how to look after them, when to remove stems etc. would have made the topic complete. I felt a little short changed here.
Many of the scenes seemed to have been filmed in Wintery sunlight, and I felt that the overall feel of this program was more like the end of Winter; rather than the start of Summer, which is what things actually feel like outside, right now.Â
I enjoyed the Monty segments. He's still weeks ahead of me in terms of weather opportunity, but at least it gets my mind into gear for the year ahead.Â
Interestingly, these quotes from Gary and Ken sum up in a nutshell the problem GW faces about which there have been many complaints in the past and will undoubtedly be in the future – how Monty's garden appears out of sync with other parts of the country - too slow for Gary, too fast for Ken. Herefordshire is where it is and we should be pragmatic and go at the speed nature dictates in our own back yard. It’s worth noting that they filmed Monty’s garden several days before the programme was transmitted. -
Message 21
Posted by Euphorbia (U14279694) on Tuesday, 13th March 2012
Not surprising Monty appears out of sync with other gardeners when they record the programme 10 days in advance!
Today they filmed the programme which will go out on 23rd. When and why did they start that nonsense? -
Message 22
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Wednesday, 14th March 2012
I also felt that Monty's project to construct a new huge pond [with hosepipe bans looming] was another example of being out of touch with reality.
I expect that we will get some more rain, possibly even a wet Summer, and not all parts of the country are affected, but it still seemed an unfortunate choice of project. -
Message 23
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 14th March 2012
Not surprising Monty appears out of sync with other gardeners when they record the programme 10 days in advance!
Today they filmed the programme which will go out on 23rd. When and why did they start that nonsense? Nonsense?
This has gone from a few days in advance to 10 days in one move-it is usually filmed on the previous Friday so one week ahead and in gardening terms that is nothing to get het up about-it has always been the same going back to AT,GH,TB-the advice is current. -
Message 24
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 14th March 2012
I also felt that Monty's project to construct a new huge pond [with hosepipe bans looming] was another example of being out of touch with reality.
I expect that we will get some more rain, possibly even a wet Summer, and not all parts of the country are affected, but it still seemed an unfortunate choice of project. Good point Gary-it will be interesting to see how this is handled-and a lot of the hard work has been done-it will be a long old wait if he expects it to fill from the skies. -
Message 25
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Wednesday, 14th March 2012
I'll have a ban on 5th April but it'll be an interesting project and still relevant to half the country. Out of touch with reality is a bit harsh when Monty was tweeting about the project several weeks ago before the water crisis became so widespread. I go back to my point earlier about varying conditions around the country. GW can't tip toe around for fear of upsetting some region or another.
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Message 26
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Wednesday, 14th March 2012
Parts of Monty's garden flood every winter, so creating a pond in one of these areas seems an obvious move for him.
Like me and 20 million or so others, he's in the western half of the country which rarely goes badly short of rain. (Touches wood...) -
Message 27
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Sunday, 18th March 2012
Joe's bit is like 'star in a car' on Top Gear, a great chance to pop out and brew a cuppa!
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Message 28
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 19th March 2012
Most of Top Gear is like that these days. It's getting more and more stupid.
I wasn't too impressed with this week's offering from Joe either but I did like the bits from Monty and Carol and the rose growers. However I can't help feeling it's all a bit dull and plodding and that much more could be done in the 30 minutes. Still too many long, lingering shots rather than close ups, activities and useful info. -
Message 29
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
The 23rd March show was just dull. I'm rushing about my garden as everything is coming up and enjoying the fruits of last years planning and planting. My only recollection of GW was long, long minutes watching water come out a hose pipe!
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Message 30
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
I don't agree with you, Colin. I accept it was slow-paced, but this was no doubt intended to reinforce the notion that gardening should be undertaken at a reasonably leisurely pace (when practical). The pond has no great interest for me, but I nevertheless found it a worthwhile inclusion for those thinking about it, and the chummyness between Monty and Joe seemed quite genuine. I enjoyed Carol's segment very much, and thought that the lady interviewed by Rachel was an interesting speaker. I actually enjoyed the programme.
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Message 31
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
And Monty's comment about the pool turning into a paddling pool for Nigel was so 'normal'
He's probably right to worry a little.......
Wet dogs draped with pondweed are no fun... -
Message 32
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
Just looked back 12 months ago as this board was buzzing with discussions on Gardeners World-lots of comments good, bad, some hypercritical some just vitriol
One year later and there is virtually nothing-that is either down to lack of posters,nobody is watching-unlikely-or nothing much to comment about.
Sorry to say it is all rather bland and it seems so slow-last week we spent what seemed like ages on planting roses,this week on filling up a pond.
I am not saying that the information is wrong it just the programme seems to have no direction,there is no drive,can't really pinpoint what but if you missed it you missed nothing.
(And it has been 3 hours since the last posting) -
Message 33
Posted by Caradonna (U14447374) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
Watching the pond fill was as exciting as watching paint dry. Maybe that's why we had to have the Brokeback bromance section.
It would have been more educational to have seen it being marked out and dug and be able to follow the whole process from the beginning. Up to where Nigel dives in and all the marginals end up in the bottom of course..
Carol's segment was interesting but she swerved the knotty problem of watering in new plants on a bank, I was looking forward to that! -
Message 34
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
.... I'm rushing about my garden as everything is coming up .... That's how I felt about the first program - that I'm rushing about, but Monty and Joe seemed quite laid back, and unhurried
TBH, I didn't actually watch last night. Too busy.
... the programme seems to have no direction,there is no drive....Â
My feeling was that program lacked a sense of focus and direction.
Thinking back to the days of Geoff Hamilton - there was a man with a mission - to introduce organic gardening (which was novel at the time) with a strong emphasis on grow-your-own. Personally I disagree with a lot of his ideas. But he had a missinonary zeal for his cause. He had a cause and focus.
I wouldn't say that Monty or Joe are men on a mission; unless it's a lesson on being laid back, and showing us how to take things a bit easy. Which is actually a very important lesson for us all.
Tomorrow, I think I'll watch the dandelions grow.... -
Message 35
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
"Just looked back 12 months ago as this board was buzzing with discussions on Gardeners World-lots of comments good, bad, some hypercritical some just vitriol
One year later and there is virtually nothing-that is either down to lack of posters,nobody is watching-unlikely-or nothing much to comment about."
Last year the context was so very different because of all the cr-p that had gone before.
This year .... perhaps the viewers are happy and content, as I am. So no need to come onto the board. I'm just happy enjoying the programme which is, at last, a relaxed and informative programme about gardening. No hype, no clowning, no hassle viewing.
I do find the criticism about Monty's pond far fetched - he has the rainwater tank filled and a damp garden. We can't expect him (or indeed any gardener) not to put his plan into action just because part of the country is experiencing or may experience a drought.
As for the comment "the programme seems to have no direction,there is no drive" - it's Spring for heaven's sake - what more direction or drive do you want? Monty (and the rest of us gardeners) are in our gardens, working in them, planning in them, enjoying them. Surely that's what gardening is all about?
Those wanting 'direction and drive' should perhaps be looking at an instant makeover programme where everything's done from A to Z in 2 or 3 weeks.
I don't mean in any way to be nasty, but I find these criticisms very niggly. -
Message 36
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
Maybe Monty is going retro and adopting the 'old skool' presenting style of Harry Dodson and Jack Hargreaves?
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Message 37
Posted by pjgolf (U2469936) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
I remember watching Jack Hargreaves when I was a nipper.
I`m not advocating pipe smoking here but I dont recall ever seeing a gent smoking a pipe who could be described as anything but "chilled"
Maybe Joe and Monty sneak off round the back of the shed for a sneaky "puff" between takes !!!
PJ -
Message 38
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
I'm quite enjoying it but it does feel slow and rather too laid back. It's OK for the more experienced gardener but newer gardeners need more hints and tips on jobs to do now before the weeds and seeds run away with us all.
I also think we should have seen sequences on how to tackle digging a pond and getting levels, depths and margins right. There's lots of timely pruning of roses and clems to be done plus cutting back of old growth on perennials and getting weeds out before they take over one's own gardening world. It's important for people with limited time available to have more focus and list of must do's.
I bet Beechgrove packs in loads more info next Thursday but still manages to be comfy and friendly and relaxed. -
Message 39
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Saturday, 24th March 2012
Slightly delayed reply, Nooj, but
'He's only making ponds for Nigel' -
Message 40
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
lovely!
I actually welcomed the slow pace anyway - all too often, especially at this time of year it can all seem a bit overwhelming.
More like a frantic list of jobs than a pleasure....
it was good to be planting spuds yesterday in the sun and watching the cats run up and down apple trees just for the pure pleasure of sunshine and Spring.
Turning out bags of leafmould......
Why is housework in the garden so much nicer than housework in the house?
Discuss. -
Message 41
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
It is a pleasure to watch GW and MONTY!
It so refreshing to watch something presented by someone who doesn't speak as if paid by the word (some American shows seem to be caffeine or amphetamine fuelled and the Teen-speak trend is appearing here). The clear, measured and dulcet tones of Monty's standard English is also a refreshing change. (I am also bored with 'mockney' or the regional dialects that only those that live within a twenty mile radius can effortlessly follow). If I need to broaden my horizons and to be immersed in rich regional, "customer-friendly" and yet often unintelligible dialect I can dial a call centre.
Monty's Italian Gardens even has Italian gardeners with clearer spoken English than some presenters we have foisted on us in the UK.
For sumptuous gardening photography, for information sharing and for the endangered species that is standard English and a pace to sip wine to - thank you GW,
(I know....not PC, even outdated but a personal opinion with my personal thanks nonetheless)
MLx -
Message 42
Posted by Pumpkin_Patch_Paul (U14565900) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
There's nothing better then turning on the TV to watch GW and being transported back to 1973 and watch the slow death of GW,how this will ever attract anybody new to the world of gatdening I dont know.
The Â鶹Éç botteld it with Greenacres which was for everybody in the land and went back to the slow plodding GW that is aimed at the estate owners.
I do have one piont of intrest in last fridays dull offering...Is Monty playing around with hair dye?
PPP -
Message 43
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
I have been reading MD's newspaper column over the last 3 weeks and in that his spring garden is a hive of activity, I wonder why that does not come across on the TV.
I would also have liked to have seen some of the planning that went into the pond rather than the filling of it.
The thought of him playing with hair dye tickles me -
Message 44
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
It'll be muck in his hair - can't garden without gettiing mucky.....
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Message 45
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
Greenacres was a rugby field (122m by 68m is the average rugby field) and was not embraced by some viewers as it was seen as a site rather than a gardener's garden.
Monty's garden is two acres or 100m by 100m. Hardly an 'estate' of rolling hills and dales, and probably just big enough to have the project spaces for an entire series.
For those who cynically sneer that viewers paid for his garden from licence fees ....well perhaps he, and his wife, worked hard at their earlier jewellery business, wrote bestseller books and gave lectures and television appearances to fund their family home. Then they worked for twenty years gardening the plot from scratch.
Their love for it shows.
MLx -
Message 46
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
Nooj - honestly. Course he's been playing and it's time he went for a softer shade of brown.
As for the estate, they've been there 20 years so long before his GW days and yes, it's bigger than the average suburban garden but that's doable and at a reasonable price if you get off the main beaten track. We've done it. Whether or not the layout of his garden lends itself to comparison, and therefor erelevance, to the average suburban plo is another matter.
I quite like it but it has nothing to do with the average semi laid out to lawn and borders and needing to cater for the needs of families, pets and gardeners who have day jobs and other demands on their time and funds. -
Message 47
Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
Obelixx - which is exactly why a 'Viewer's Garden' spot each week would be just the ticket. A chance to see the creativity, imagination and talent at play in back gardens up and down the country. I know it would be hugely popular.
But it's too difficult, apparently. Though the Â鶹Éç can manage to organise a complex trip around Italy and send an overtired Monty tramping around the entire planet for 80 gardens, it can't solve the tricky problem of actually engaging directly with the UK's gardening public. -
Message 48
Posted by marinelilium (U8293024) on Sunday, 25th March 2012
I have loved GH's Barnsdale five acre garden and cherry-picked favourite ideas; I loved aspects of AT's ample Hampshire hillside garden and I loved some of the new projects at Greenacres and Berryfields. Knowledge and inspiration gleaned from them all in turn.
Sharing Alys Fowler's suburban garden was fun and inspired me to try mixed vegetable and fruit planting in a square- foot grid. Her garden was a modest plot.
Upshot - size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it
.
MLx -
Message 49
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Monday, 26th March 2012
Obs - really?
I'm such an innocent......
when i went to Barnsdale i was so surpised at the size of the little demonstration gardens - tiny!
But everything full of birds, insects and butterfies, and a wonderful compost area -
Message 50
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 26th March 2012
Trillium. I think GW's production team must lack the will cos there's surely a way. Carol did it in previous series when she adopted gardeners and helped them change and improve their plot. AT did it in his recent series on ITV by focussing on different styles of successful garden but also helping the owners improve a small problem. Even Rachel has done it in previous GW incarnations.
Helen Yemm did it in her old series where she adopted a town gardener, a young couple and a family all wanting to improve their garden space and pleasure. It's also been done for small town gardens and small front gardens with Gay Search.
Just takes a bit of research among local horticultural groups - easy enough given all the contacts with GQT - and then organise a schedule and find a decent presenter. Easy peasy for the Beeb, surely?
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