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Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Friday, 31st July 2009
I enjoyed it, broad based something for everyone plus lovely day and coverage of Wisley.
Together with no, or little , silly camera work & angles made for an enjoyable, watchable and informative hour. Much improved.
Me too. Lots to enjoy, everyone seems to have settled down. What banter there was, was supportive and funny compared to the uncomfortably barbed stuff of earlier programmes.
OK - some somewhat off the wall stuff with exotics and bamboo screens out of the reach/accidental-hand-out range of most people, but the ideas were adaptable to suit materials to hand, clear ways and means with propagation and pergola wiring and most, most importantly Toby at ease with himself, softening into the self-deprecation this pivotal role in UK gardening so badly needs. Yippee....(or is that relief - can't tell the difference any more)
Someone said in an earlier post all the moaners will be back.
I like to think of myself as a critic trying hard to get a more rounded programme.
Well tonight we got it as if all the things we said were wrong were suddenly righted.
I love Dahlia's as much as Carol and she had good advice for those who do not know.
I found out I do not need or want Bamboo in my garden (have been tempted).
Joe showed other allotments which was good and the pergola advice was needed if you want plants to grow up them.
Alys was relaxed and sowing some late salad now is a good idea. Plus the carrots of course.
Toby as Trillium said was it seems more in his element apart from that 30 minute thingee? what was that all about?
A good show and I never closed my eye's once.
Frank.
Won't comment on most of it, but have to say I loved the Bamboo guy at Rosemoor, he was fab!
Yes - one of the best so far .... interesting garden with the tree ferns - liked her candid frank account. In fact all seemed more relaxed tonight
I couldn't make out what the woman was saying about protecting tree-ferns with wool. I bought one in the spring and am anxious to overwinter it, so if straw isn't so good...
Not a bad episode overall...Carol's piece is always worth enduring the rubbish for.
I do wish they would give up on the '30 minute' (or was it 50) farce.
I've never tried it, but I'm not convinced by using cloches to kill weeds.....Gawd!
Wrapping stuff up in black polythene for pond bases....Don't they know that those items will naturally match their surroundings perfectly in a couple of weeks?
I wouldn’t like to be picking up the bill for the hardware Joe used on the pergola.
The young man who used cloches to kill weeds is just starting to grow things. He will soon realise that it is a daft idea.
Using black bin liners in a pond meant Toby doesn't endorse the idea of being patient and let the nature do her work. Its only a matter of few weeks and does it matter if the pots show for a while?
Clearly, Joe has not heard of or experienced the credit cruch. Who in right mind would fork out so much for a pergola these days? Not to mention paying for the plants?
I am glad they run out of time for 'What's hot and what's not!' slot. OR may be they read this board and decided to cool it.
A very enjoyable program for a wet evening. Not a bad balance, particularly enjoyed seeing Wisley.
Liked the feature on bamboo and dahlias.
>I wouldn’t like to be picking up the bill for the hardware Joe used on the pergola<
If you pay the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú license tax, then you are!
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Saturday, 1st August 2009
JJ
I did comment to the OH that if I was doing that it would all have been stainless steel. So I think the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú got off on the cheap!
This was the best programme since the Alan T days. Loved all of the bits with Toby and I even managed to put up with Carol's OTT presentating style. Time to get rid of Joe's allotment though.
And the T-Rex at the end! Hurray - now watch that monster grow!
More on exotics, especially drought tolerate plants like yuccas, aloes, etc. please!!
Re the pergola, I don't know, but I think it unlikely that the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú paid for it - much more likely the couple agreed a budget for the garden that they were willing to pay and got Joe's advice and tv coverage into the bargain.
a good show, loved the wisley section. did not watch the 30 minute farce.
Agree with most of you - probably the best so far. It was only spoilt by the ever more ridiculous 30-minute-fix! Leave that out and put a slot in "What to do now" and most of us would be quite happy I think.
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by green-buddha (U11615833) on Saturday, 1st August 2009
Hear Hear!
I loved the programme
Must say that I enjoyed last night's programme. Even though it stuck to a theme there was plenty of variety to enjoy.
dwarfbean
Me too, I also enjoyed it. But tell me, is it me? Before I transplant a potted plant, I always soak the compost first. That way, a few minutes later, when the pot is emptied, the dust dry compost doesn't fall to the ground. It happened twice during this episode.
But all in all an enjoyable hour.
Paul,
i too noticed that but it was starting to rain and I think they did a rush job before getting soaked themselves.
Frank.
Before I transplant a potted plant, I always soak the compost first.Â
I was equally surprised but my grandmother's gardener tells me that if you have more than one plant per pot, it's easier to have the compost dryish, as the roots separate more easily and do not suffer too many traumas!
Perhaps??
Have to agree with the positive comments so far. This was, IMHO, a good programme. Well rounded with a broad coverage of subjects on a theme. Carol with her class (a gem as always), Alys showing what to plant now and that beauty of a garden with the tree ferns were the high points for me but the allotments, the pergola and the pond coverage were very watchable also (the 30 minute fix is still a sore spot, but I don't want to be negative on this very positive thread). I got the impression that the presenters are settling into their stride now and the result is a much more comfortable experience for viewers.
Now, if they could just get the programme aired every week during the summer .......
i need gw in the spring mostly, summer i like to relax and see what happens......
I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks Gardeners World, well done to all.
Paperwhite
I am still not enjoying it as much as AT or MD. At least twice Toby referred to "old" things which clearly were quite new. Very irritating. I don't think he baby talked anything though which was a minor improvement. He is still as wooden as a raised bed. I don't think my opinion on him will change now.
Enjoyed Alys's bit (ordered some pak choi seeds), loved Carol's teachings, Joe's design slot was informative, and I liked the segment on the county organiser for Cumbria NGS's garden. There was too much emphasis on exotics for my liking, but as it was on the hard disc I could fast forward and you can't please everyone all the time. Perhaps next week I will get my favourite plant type featured.
Agree with Daz though - should have had more gardening in the spring and early summer - when there's lots to be done. Lets hope we get some good practical tips in the autumn too. And if nouns aren't referred to as "old" irrespective of their age, I may manage not to tut through a whole episode which would make my husband very happy.
mich
i agree with you,i found parts of programme,interesting and useful to me,and enjoyed the rest.much improved as you say
daffworld
i dont think the 30 minute timer thing is much good.the things done are good.the bamboo gate for instance.but not to have it timed.that seems silly.from daffworld
oh i dont agree,dont get rid of joes allotment,i find it quite interesting.and carols dalias,which i also grow.daff world
, in reply to message 28.
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Monday, 3rd August 2009
I'd like to add my support for GW this week. The programme has been gradually improving and is miles away from the antics we endured at the beginning of this series. Loved it all, but particularly the Cumbria garden and the bamboo parts. Regarding Dicksonia - mine live in a sheltered garden in the south east close to a north facing 6 foot high wall. I protect the emerging croziers by cutting off the spent fronds in the autumn and laying them across the top of the cordex. I was pretty anxious last winter but they came through just fine.
Loved the programme on Friday, it was a joy to watch. I do like the 30min fixes mainly to see which timer they will use, where do they get them from as I love them!
They are all settling into their roles really well and I love the banter between Toby and Alys. Well done GW, Fridays are back to normal again.
This is fascinating. Either:
- everyone has just followed the first couple of postings and agreed with the positive sentiment, sheeplike, or
- something has really changed and the majority of boarders really, genuinely enjoyed it.
Assuming we aren't sheep, the problem is that I really can't put my finger on what was different. I'm hoping that the production team consciously did something that we haven't picked up on. Otherwise, it was a happy accident - a 'don't know why, but that miserable MB bunch liked that one'. Which would be a shame.
Trillium
I sometime suspect that the program is better received depending on what the bottle of wine is on Friday night or if the rack is empty.
I will monitor the situation very carefully.
I agree with the above posters, I thought it was good as usual, I didn't notice to much of a noticeable change. Maybe it was the break?
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Tuesday, 4th August 2009
Trillium, I thought last weeks GW was the best of the series so far, which merely makes it OK.
I think what had changed was the absence of the excruciating faux banter. The presenters were mainly working on their own and addressing the audience rather than 'competing' with each other which made it more relaxed.
In the absence of an alternative, perhaps we’ve learned to tolerate mediocrity.
There was certainly (the now usual) list of misleading advice.
In the absence of an alternative, perhaps we’ve learned to tolerate mediocrity.Â
A possibility David although to me the programme on Friday had a feel good effect which previous ones did not.
Am I mellowing? are the producers listening? are the presenters settling in and more confident?
What ever it is I watched it warts and all, there is always something and enjoyed it.
Having knocked it in the past I will always say OK you got it right too, well nearly right.
Frank.
Am I mellowing? are the producers listening? are the presenters settling in and more confident?Â
Frank, I think you're just someone who is glad to have had a programme that you clearly enjoyed. By the law of averages, there has to be a programme that is satisfactory - it's just not possible to alienate everyone on every single occasion. You wonder if the Producers are listening. For them to concede this point, would also mean that they would have to concede that they were completely wrong in the first place, and considering that they're only there on the premise of changing GW from it's old 'stuffy' former self, to the new all-sparkly trendy 'yoof' programme, this would be tantamount to admitting failure. This is not very likely. I would also suggest that we seem to collectively give the presenters the benefit of the doubt on every occasion. It's as if they are simpletons who are incapable of thinking for themselves. It would be even more offensive to suggest that these well-paid presenters are doing things which are alien to them. If GW is indeed changing, then, I would suggest that the whole team needs to consider their positions very carefully - because they got it spectacularly wrong after enthusing about the 'new beginning'. I would imagine that the regular viewer is just so pleased to get something that appears to have been adult, that they forgive all the previous sins. While I'll continue to study board opinions on the matter, I think I'll follow the old 'one swallow' adage for a while yet, as I can't believe the present lot are now capable of supplying genuine quality.
, in reply to message 37.
Posted by Its_my_Pightle (U14025370) on Tuesday, 4th August 2009
Did anyone else suspect that Alys had been starving her tomatoes on purpose?...I can't think how she mananged to raise such poor specimens when they were only planted a few weeks ago.
I also get a slight feeling that the couple with the pergola aren't actually too enamoured with their new garden, they don't exactly ooze enthusiasm do they!
I think you're just someone who is glad to have had a programme that you clearly enjoyed. By the law of averages, there has to be a programme that is satisfactory Â
You could be right Ken, on the other hand it has improved a little week by week and this week was a giant leap for Garden kind, if I may be allowed to steal the phrase.
As with anything it is a learning curve, they came in to put some oomph into what they considered a dull programme and make it more amenable for the young set.
I do not think the presenters stupid though I would question how much input they are allowed.
Making an episode on a lowish budget and only a modest time allowance owing to other commitments must be hectic. I would bet they are virtually told what to do by the planners.
Friday for some reason it all came together, being fair minded I said so on these boards, after all I have panned them often enough.
If it goes back downhill I will let them know my thoughts.
Meanwhile well done all I did enjoy it all apart from the earwig high rise they called a bamboo gate.
Frank.
, in reply to message 39.
Posted by wondroustallulah (U14093934) on Thursday, 6th August 2009
I am a relatively new viewer of GW and to gardening and I really enjoy the programme. The 30 min fix makes me laugh; the bamboo thing was hideous.
I would like more features though for people like me who have steep slopes in some areas of the garden, which is also chalky - not everyone has a lovely flat garden!
wondroustallulah,
Hello and welcome, banks and chalk? you have some work to do. I think it would be terraces and imported top soil if it was mine.
There are plenty of plants that do grow on chalk though.
The 30 minute thing was at first a laugh then became tedious, I did fall about laughing with the 30 minute shed roof garden, the shed was falling down as they built the top frame and I was so busy looking to see how they had propped it up I forgot to watch the planting.
A very big improvement on the first few shows though.
Frank.
GW - Damned by faint praise?
Rubbish with some bits that aren't as bad. I feel sorry for the tomatoes and Toby's clients, both looked exasperated. The bamboo botch was a hideous display of all that is wrong with the program, poorly researched, droning presenter showing clearly how not to do it.
This is not a low budget production, it just looks like one.
Anyway, I'm off to the Garden Inspiration board for a dose of flower therapy from real gardeners
Do we take it you where not too impressed then.
Frank.
I am not at all impressed.
Maybe we should add up what the tomatoes cost?
Purlion a rugby pitch in Edgebaston.
Fence all the way round the outside.
Knock down a glasshouse for parking.
Build a bespoke glasshouse from a drawing done with childrens' crayons.
Build 10ft walls to 'hang the garden off'
Build a large shed and put a settee in it, mowers etc stored presumably elsewhere. Stick Sneeboer tools on doors.
Do all this without planning permission so no one can object and site is kept secret whilst using public funds.
Show the poor old viewers how to beat the credit crunch using the most ill conceived, dangerous and ridiculous projects.
It's an embarrassment to watch.
Ah yes, but apart from all that, it is getting better...........isn't it?
I am not at all impressed.Â
"Hmmmmm" I do see your point!
"Hang on though"
Is that not what we gardeners do when presented with new greenfield houses.
Of course we pay for that but we are paying for the GW garden anyway.
Of course I do think that is money better spent than on some brain dead Exodus factor thingee.
I have removed "Ye ancient greenhouse and shed" when moving into older property and built new and did start from scratch in this then brand spanking new bungalow we live in now, "err" 25 years ago.
I would assume they did have something like this in mind at the start only a bad old depression went and got in the way.
After time out for weeks of tennis and hour upon hour of golf they came back refreshed, "Thank goodness" I say.
Still we are all allowed our opinions.
Frank.
Well said Frank,
I wonder what other people think the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú should have done. Maybe some old allotments somewhere?
In that case, what about the logisitcs of film crews etc on site. I think they did what they had to do and they have to build a framework to work on.
I thought the gardens looked really well after the break and so a pat on the back to the gardeners on the site. I hope that no-one is naive enough to expect the presenters to be doing it. AT and GH did because they were their own gardens but they also had gardeners to help.
Relax fellow gardeners the sun is out, the vegetables are cropping and the weeds need weeding.
GW is on tonight so hope the pluses we perceive in our different ways are maintained.
'I hope that no-one is naive enough to expect the presenters to be doing it.'
Although the presenters are naive enough to pretend to be doing it.
Will try taking more muscle relaxant before watching this time. Sorry.
Don't apologise WheatP. You are not alone in your opinions of GW.
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