TV and Radio permalink
Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Â
Posted by Killimor (U12115352) on Wednesday, 28th May 2008
I was really looking forward to the present series of Gardeners World when it was announced that they would be doing an allotment from scratch as I am in a similar position and was hoping to learn from this.
But then, unaccountably, the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú put Joe Swift in charge of this!!
First off, he hires a JCB to skim off all the surface grass and weeds. Well, how practical is that for most allotmenteers? I can barely get a wheelbarrow to my plot!!
Then he goes ahead and rotavates the whole place, chopping up and multiplying all the perennial weed roots. Is that good practice?
Next he lays out triangular , and other odd-shaped, raised beds!! Where is the sense in that? Regular oblong or square shaped beds must make for easier sowing of crops in a straight line and for subsequent hoeing? And how do you rotate crops if your beds are all of a different size?
And then it comes to planting out his onion sets!! And Joe Swift doesn't know what to do and has to phone Monty Don on the mobile for advice!! I thought Joe Swift should know how to do this?
I am utterly disappointed with this whole allotment thing. I am getting no real practical advice from Joe Swift when I was expecting an expert vegetable grower to be fronting this part of the program.
It seems to me that the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Gardeners World are just cashing in on the current 'grow your own' theme at the moment without offering any real help at all. Joe Swift is just the front guy. It's becoming like all those cookery programs whose aim is to promote the Chef without actually teaching anyone how to cook.
So does Joe Swift really know his onions? Has he lost the plot? Has he gone to seed? Or is he simply a wannabe celebrity?
From now on, I won't worry a bit if I miss Gardeners World.
I think I can get proper expert advice from my fellow allomenteers who've got years of experience and are real gardeners.
KillimorLink to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 2
Posted by -paulo (U2329115) on Wednesday, 28th May 2008
Bring back Medwyn Williams...
:DLink to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 3
Posted by peatysandy (U3087116) on Wednesday, 28th May 2008
Killimore, a point very well made and i totally agree with you. I understand your frustration as i have also posted up one or two threads concerning such issues. Unfortunately though this is not the done thing to do on here. It appears that any form of crticism irrespective of how well founded seems to be frowned upon. Either the people on here fail to see the whole practicality of the subject or they are just too nicey nice and don't want to upset anybody.
Regarding your point Joe Swift is a fine frontman but when it comes down to the actual gardening aspect he is next to useless, as are most of the others. The whole GW programme needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom or they should scrap it all together. Basically it does not deliver what people want or what they expect.
Your best bet, as you suggest is to speak to other allotment users, they will know a whole heap more than the people on the tv.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 4
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Wednesday, 28th May 2008
Joe was put on the allotment because he has no experience growing veg. This is probably an attempt to hook people in to give it a go.
Everyone would agree with his error in dealing with the weeds, even he would now as he is constantly pulling them up. However, watching him or a laccy, digging for 3 weeks would definatley not make good telly. How may people would have logged on to say 'Good ol' Joe, still digging away at that weed? Great programme'. He has mares tail and if he waited until he cleared that we may never see a vegetable from his plot for many years to come!
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 5
Posted by Lurganspade (U10706116) on Wednesday, 28th May 2008
With me it is his attitude, towards good advice offered by those who have been in the trenches.
If you were watching the first time he was filmed,he actually LAUGHED at his fellow allotment holder when he queeried the shape of his raised beds. To compound his disrespect, he LAUGHED staring into the camera when the other chap had gone away.
Then at Chelsea, when presented with Adam the Gardeners half crown book, he dismissively tossed it onto the table in front of him.
He did not even thumb through any of the pages,he may not have liked being given it, but he should have had the good grace to have accepted in the spirit it was given.
He showed a complete lack of respect for others on both occasions.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 6
Posted by TallyHo (U2364821) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
I thought he looked a bit insincere, almost dismissively so, when he wished Monty a full recovery at Chelsea... hmmm.
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 7
Posted by pootles magnet (U11709665) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
I simply can't understand why people go on and on and on about Joe's weeds. He said on the first allotment programme that he wouldn't rotovate the land because it would chop up the weeds - he made clear to viewers what the problem was with rotovating. Then he decided that in this case it was worth the sacrifice of digging the weeds up for getting his heavy soil in shape and ready to use sooner rather than later. Surely that's his decision to make? We, the viewers, were warned of the consequences of his choice - I can't see how that is any less informative or educational on the matter than if he'd said "I'm going to dig these out slowly, by hand."
I find his approach very encouraging - so many gardeners love to tell you the 'right way' to do everything and - as is clear from the responses to Joe's allotment - sneer at anyone who dares to do differently.
Triangular beds are hardly anarchy - they're not going to bring gardening to its knees!
Allotmenteering is supposed to be a leisure pursuit isn't it? He's not running a market garding business! If trianglular beds give him and his family pleasure - why shouldn't he do triangular beds. If they mean his yields are marginally less than someone toeing the line with poker straight lines of veg, does it matter?
And as for the other messages - well I think you see what you want to see, sometimes.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 8
Posted by LondonStone (U10845856) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
Is it just me, or have the Beeb not shown anything of Joe's new plot for weeks? I've only seen him plant spuds, artichokes, onions and some exotic goji bush. It's now almost June, surely he's planted more than that on a plot the size of a football pitch.
As a new plot owner myself, I was delighted to hear G.W. would be taking on an allotment too. I think it's good to show the viewing public just how fun it is to grow your own veg. A wholesome family activity.
Just wish they would get someone who knew a thing or two to steer Joe, and the viewers (and me!) in the right direction.
Seeing Joe struggle or fail will hardly encourage viewers to give it a go. Lets have someone knowledgeable and charismatic on there, like the wonderful Terry Walton who was featured at Chelsea. If you want to pick up tips on allotments, you must hear his podcasts! He already does a regular Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú radio show and has humour and enthusiasm in droves.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 9
Posted by Sparky (U6716422) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
No, of course we don't want to see weeks of Joe painstakingly digging over his plot - but surely this could have been done earlier on and the points made about having to start off properly! It must be better to show people the 'right' way to do things rather than watch Joe 'do it his way' and ignore all kinds of advice. Joe's expertise is in garden design - why not use him for that and bring back someone like Pippa Greenwood for the allotment?
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 10
Posted by swisscrimson (U12043815) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
few pages back in this forum there are about 5 threads for or against Joes action on the allotment.
You could also can comment on his blog if you think he needs direction.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 11
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
Gardener's World is like a pantomine now. Joe is a garden designer but never shows us that aspect of gardening. Carol has lots of expertise but goes over the top. I think Alys would be the best presenter as she is actually there all the time and does do the work. The program it all about pretence now. Its not even worth missing. As for Monty i am sorry he had had a minor stroke and i am sure he will recover fully. However when you spread yourself that thin and never say no to work you risk your health suffering. We seem to live in world now were misleading people and getting paid top money for doing it is acceptable.
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 12
Posted by virtualEmily23 (U6164214) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
Instead of gardeners world, they could do more series of 'The Allotment'. They were all good at giving advice to the old and new gardener.
I loved that programme and learned a great deal.!!Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 13
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
I think Alys would be the best presenter as she is actually there all the time and does do the work.Â
This is a recurring theme. I'm sure she's a nice gel - but - let's be honest - most of the people on this board have forgotten more than Alys will have learned in her short career. By all means let her stick around (it may even encourage a younger set to engage with the programme), but gardening is something that requires a lot of experience, and Alys's best days are ahead of her. We all have to learn about failures before we can preach about successes.
Its not even worth missing. Â
I wish I'd said that (even though I don't know if it makes sense).Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 14
Posted by poppycat (U12044707) on Thursday, 29th May 2008
Joe Swift a good front guy - you must be joking
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 15
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Friday, 30th May 2008
Gardeners' World used to be about showing us the best or easiest or latest way to garden using new and old tecniques and plants. It was entertaining whilst being informative.
These days it seems mainly aimed at entertainment for the short attention span generation. Joe's allotment was not billed as "Joe gets an allotment and doe sit all in his own quirky fashion with no regard to tried and trusted techniques" so most of us were expecting a well structured approach to tackling an allotment, preparing it for growing, rotating crops etc. This hasn't happened and we are rightly disappointed.
I wonder how many people will actually learn anything of use for their own vegetable plot or allotment. I haven't yet and I'm no expert. I wonder how many novices will do as Joe has done and rotavate and then give up in the face of never ending weed invasions.
The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is blessed with all sorts of fancy cameras and technology. It would have been perfectly possible to film in advance and show edited highlights as a summary of clearing and digging and soil preparation to the point of being ready to sow or plant, just as it will be able to show the transition from seed to seedling to plant and then harvest later on.
I think what we need most is a complete change of production and editing team to people who know about gardening and thinks it's fun and sexy and enjoyable and rewarding in its own right and not in need of gimmicks or dumbing down.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 16
Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Friday, 30th May 2008
I think what we need most is a complete change of production and editing team to people who know about gardening and thinks it's fun and sexy and enjoyable and rewarding in its own right and not in need of gimmicks or dumbing down.Â
I'll second that.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 17
Posted by Sparky (U6716422) on Friday, 30th May 2008
So will I!
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 18
Posted by Killimor (U12115352) on Friday, 30th May 2008
Or, maybe, Terry Wogan!!
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 19
Posted by Killimor (U12115352) on Friday, 30th May 2008
It is heartbreaking that Joe Swift and GW are simply jumping aboard the 'grow your own' theme that is very current in the UK. But they do not spell out the reality of taking on an allotment. It is real hard work in the first year to clear a plot properly and get it anywheres near ready for cultivation in the second year. (It actually takes even longer.) But they don't tell that to newbies; they pretend that most regular allotment holders can simply clear their sites in just 6 weeks and are ready to go. It is shocking to mislead people, with such high hopes, in the way that they are doing.
I think Joe Swift should be retired, without delay, from being allotment frontman. Better to have one of his more experienced neighbours explain the process. Then maybe we all learn how to do it properly, including Joe.
And does anyone think Joe Swift will still be tending his allotment after the current series of GW is finished?Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 20
Posted by Killimor (U12115352) on Friday, 30th May 2008
" Joe was put on the allotment because he has no experience growing veg. "
Well, should we replace Cristiano Ronaldo with someone who knows nothing about playing football? Or Sir David Attenborough with someone who knows nothing about wildlife? Or Sir Patrick Moore with someone who knows nothing about astronomy?
From Gardeners' World, I am looking for experts in the field.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 21
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Friday, 30th May 2008
I am sure he won't be tending it after this season. He does not tend it now. Even his family who are meant to be part of it we never see but are told they have been down during the week. Once the rain has go going and all those chopped up pieces of couch grass and bindweed come shooting through we will not see the crops for weeds. Its a farce but without any good jokes apart from Joe that is.
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 22
Posted by Lurganspade (U10706116) on Friday, 30th May 2008
With about three exceptions the rest of the posters on this thread show more common sence than the crew that run and present GW.
I look at GW for enjoyment of beautiful things and to see plants which otherways I would never encounter, AND TO LEARN NEW WAYS.
Do I ever learn anything new , sadly no!Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 23
Posted by Yakram (U2443370) on Saturday, 31st May 2008
Do you think he is making all these mistakes deliberately?
He'll have a bedful of Comfrey by the end of the season. Perhaps he's planted it to combat the horsetail and couch grass.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 24
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Sunday, 1st June 2008
"I think what we need most is a complete change of production and editing team to people who know about gardening and thinks it's fun and sexy and enjoyable and rewarding in its own right and not in need of gimmicks or dumbing down".
I'll fourth that!
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 25
Posted by swisscrimson (U12043815) on Sunday, 1st June 2008
To bad it is so hard to find anyone with great veg gardening experience that is worthy of the post.
Though just because someone wrote a gardening book or newspaper column does not mean there the type person for the slot either.Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 26
Posted by saintmissfluffy (U12195645) on Thursday, 5th June 2008
I watch Gardeners world on replay so I can FF bits that dont interest me, I fastforwarded Joe until I realised he had Marestail on his plot, now I watch with interest waiting for the week he realises he made a huge mistake breaking it up and making it angry!
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 27
Posted by Pip (U2800217) on Thursday, 5th June 2008
"I think what we need most is a complete change of production and editing team to people who know about gardening and thinks it's fun and sexy and enjoyable and rewarding in its own right and not in need of gimmicks or dumbing down".
Why don't the whole Beechgrove Garden team stage a coup?
"I watch with interest waiting for the week he realises he made a huge mistake breaking it up and making it angry!"
I'm waiting for his comfrey to rise up too, saintmissfluffy - my Bocking clones are almost indecently prolific (I grassed around them, and mow to keep them in check). But I think we'll both have a long wait. Such is the miracle of creative editing!Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
-
Message 28
Posted by BigDibberUK (U10156605) on Thursday, 5th June 2008
Killimoor, the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú did replace Sir David Attenborough with someone who knows nothing about wildlife or natural history. His name is Alan Titchmarsh.
Link to this forum: Gardeners World. Allotments and Joe Swift
About this Board
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú iD
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú navigation
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú links
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú © 2014 The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.