Do you enjoy watching the current offering of gardening programmes on TV at present? Which type do you prefer, the back to basics type (simple advice) or the showy type (elaborate garden designs). I have always enjoyed the Alan Titchmarsh (UK) programmes for instance but always found the Diarmuid Gavin (Ireland) programmmes to be pretentious and not very enjoyable to watch. I mean who needs all those elaborate, non-functional pieces in their garden anyway.
When our PBS station deems it important to show Victory Garden, I really enjoy it. Before it went to cable only(we don't have cable), I really enjoyed Rebecca's Garden, I got the idea for my upside down stacked flower pot bird bath from her program. The only one I can find shown locally is P.Allen Smith gardening.....he doesn't do the basics, he creates garden rooms and very formal looks in gardens, not my style.
I like the HGTV landscape programs. But the pond building ones are so off, I think they are just staged for the show. And that makes me wonder if the rest of it is as well. Who, me, cynical?
I watch and tape any garden show I come across. I very much like P. Allen. I am an equal opportunity garden idea thief. 8)
I watch Alan Titchmarsh whenever he's on but sadly he seems to do very few gardening programmes these days. The one gardening series I really can't stand is the Beechgrove garden.
I don't know too many names of the shows I happen to catch, but I love any I can catch on the BBC. I lived for years just getting one, semilocal station, so happy I can get BBC now! Seems like they are SO much more practical and not so over-the-top as the American decorating & gardening shows.
I agree with you about the ponds. It drives me nuts, especially when they throw the pond together in a day, then throw fish in it the same day. They always make it appear so easy....
Hey, pianolady, welcome back!!! Great to see you. Actually it is possible to put a pond together in one day and throw fish it it assuming you add dechlor to the water. It's the shoddy way they build the ponds that bugs me. All that liner showing, everything just thrown together so you know it won't last a week.
Do you, I enjoy watching TV gardening programmes? Apologies for the late reply. Internet must be running a bit slow I have only just found this thread. So! No I don't enjoy gardening programmes. To attend a lecture or to give instruction, YES. IMO. Usually the whole thing becomes a joke. Perhaps joke one. Alan Titchmarsh. OK he's got a Kew diploma. He's also got the gift of the gab. In many TV appearances, I have seen A.T leaning on a rake or hoe and waffling on. Say no more. Then in general. A new boy/girl arrives on the block. Perhaps they have a good financial background. They like plants, so the BBC or whoever make them a star. I really did feel sorry for Sarah Raven. She appeared on Gardeners World. Her task was to repair a lawn. Her tools included.......a pitch fork. I do hope she gave the producer a good thumping. Now. Sarah, thanks much to Daddy is owner of a very productive garden center. IMo. Those selected to play the star roles, always prance about and play to the camera. Be honest. YOU in your garden large or small. Do you play-act? Then there is or are the plants. Pop down to the local garden center and lash out. I find a very big problem with TV and broadcasting. Programmes are not organised and directed by professional gardeners/horticulturist.