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GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by Richardf77 (U2391775) on Monday, 18th April 2011
Many of us were unhappy with Greenacre and Toby.
Many of us are unhappy with Monty and Long Meadow.
So whats the solution to the problem that is todays Gardeners World? What format/presenters/garden(s) would you like to see on the show. What would make you start watching again or watch every week?
Sensible answers please.
Many hark back to the 'glory days of Alan and Geoff or even Percy and Arthur, but great though those times were and i am sure lessons could be learnt from them, i dont think turning back the clock is the answer. Times have changed in TV, gardening and society in general even since Alan's time. Time for a new approach or just doing what works better.
Personally i think there are 2 possible options as far as the on screen garden goes. Either you go down the Beechgrove route and this time do it properly, or you move away from the one base garden format and have say 3 presenters who all contribute from their own gardens, say in rotation to cover a broad a range of subjects as possible.
I also wonder if the show is too personality led, ie centered too much on the person presenting rather than the gardening. We have Monty because of who he is and the show is so much about him (much as i like him). Perhaps we should get away from that and choose presenters first and foremost for their gardening abilities not primariy for who they are first and gardening second. Again this is no dig at Monty, he is still a great gardener.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 2
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Message 3
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
Absolutely-I am getting bored with this now- we have to accept it as it is and hope it just gets better.
Can we just close this topic ( at least for a few weeks!! )Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 4
Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
I just can't belive that - in the middle of what has been the most glorious spring I can remember (at least in my part of the world) - AND the busiest period of the gardening year ANYONE is having the time or energy to whinge about ANY television programme.
Just get out there and get stuck in.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 5
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
I think they need 2 programmes, simple as that. One for the newbys and one for the oldies (gardens, not age)
People complain Toby was "gardening for idiots" which if you consider yourself a gardening idiot, as I did at the time is perfect! People complain that Monty "talks down to you" probably bacause he's pruning trees and that's incredibly basic. He probably thinks this is tedious (and pruning is!)
We need an educational programme for people with little knowledge and a love of learning and an inspiration programme for the more experienced with room to grow.
Simples!Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 6
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
I just can't belive that - in the middle of what has been the most glorious spring I can remember (at least in my part of the world) - AND the busiest period of the gardening year ANYONE is having the time or energy to whinge about ANY television programme.
Just get out there and get stuck in.Ìý Blimey-I'm off !!!Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 7
Posted by Richardf77 (U2391775) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
I just can't belive that - in the middle of what has been the most glorious spring I can remember (at least in my part of the world) - AND the busiest period of the gardening year ANYONE is having the time or energy to whinge about ANY television programme.
Just get out there and get stuck in.Ìý Who is whingeing? Not me or at least i didnt think i was! Compare my post to the real whingers in other topics and you will see the difference. All they were doing was saying they didnt like something, at least i was asking for sensible discussion on positive solutions to the GW question.
Perhaps i phrased things wrongly. Perhaps the topic should have been 'Fantasy Gardeners World' to perhaps let people know it wasnt just another whinge thread.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 8
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
I just can't belive that - in the middle of what has been the most glorious spring I can remember (at least in my part of the world) - AND the busiest period of the gardening year ANYONE is having the time or energy to whinge about ANY television programme.
Just get out there and get stuck in.Ìý Who is whingeing? Not me or at least i didnt think i was! Compare my post to the real whingers in other topics and you will see the difference. All they were doing was saying they didnt like something, at least i was asking for sensible discussion on positive solutions to the GW question.
Perhaps i phrased things wrongly. Perhaps the topic should have been 'Fantasy Gardeners World' to perhaps let people know it wasnt just another whinge thread.Ìý Please read all the other threads-this has been done to death- watch Beechgrove if you want an informative, entertaining 30 mins.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 9
Posted by kfgray (U14470933) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
Fantasy or whinge everyone has a right to say what they want on here as long as it is within the house rules , But it is a hard task for GW to serve all masters . And as spring is so hot the garden is out hand. I just spotted a Rubekia coming into flower in the boader so much for the gadening year
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Message 10
Posted by Banjo Longbody (U13864842) on Tuesday, 19th April 2011
The thing to remember is that we're all different. Our gardens are different, mine changes every year, our levels of experience are all different, and our ideas of what makes a perfect gardening show are all different. There will never be a wrong or a right, just what we think or prefer. You can please some of the people some of the time, but you'll never please all of the people all of the time.
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Message 11
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Thursday, 21st April 2011
Apparently the Donster has a Key Gardens alumni helping him now at Long Meadow now and she may be appearing in future GW
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Message 12
Posted by Peter (U14849377) on Friday, 22nd April 2011
I agree with many of the comments made. It was stated that there were many complaints that Toby had 'dumbed down' GW. I always found Toby to be informative and relevant. I no longer look forward to Friday evening for half an hour (never long enough) of gardening programme. We have a similar format as before but concentrating on Monty's garden rather than being instructive for our own. Perhaps more of the problems that we gardeners face would bring the excitement back. There must be many new gardeners (we are constantly encouraged to 'grow your own') that experience problems. Perhaps these should be covered in more detail.
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Message 13
Posted by RoootH (U14849692) on Friday, 22nd April 2011
I am SO pleased to see Monty Don back who, as well as being very informative, is a pleasure to listen & watch - unlike Toby B who completely 'turned me off' Gardener's World. Well done Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú !
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Message 14
Posted by figrat (U3054696) on Tuesday, 26th April 2011
I must admit I haven't watched GW for ages. But I was completely inspired by the Alys Fowler short series 'The Edible Garden', so am busy trying to put it into practice. (climbing French beans going out when I've finished this post!)
I found GW invaluable when I first started gardening, but got bored with it as I didn't think I was learning anything new. I think there is certainly a case for a general gardening programme, but maybe more 'specalised' mini-series like the Alys Fowler one might be a possibility.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 15
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Message 16
Posted by Mycowaz (U14848091) on Tuesday, 26th April 2011
I too am not a happy camper folks.....no sireee
I really don't know what the answer is??
I agree with others that the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú does not listen to genuine viewer concern.
perhaps we need to go at this tricky issue from another angle....
any ideas fellow posters?
zamLink to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 17
Posted by Derek Pig (U14833635) on Wednesday, 27th April 2011
I don't see whats wrong with harping back to the past or the good old days of alan and geoff- after all, this weekend we're celebrating a medieval pagentry that takes us back to the times of princes, princesses, dragons, beheadings, thatcher... the list goes on and there is enormous enthusiasm for it; just not in my street
with the gardening year being what it is, rather than watching some red faced tubby fellow rake the lawn every autumn on gw, just show re runs of geoff hamilton- every week, every year, for ever, as the garden advice part of the show. the more magazine parts of the show- looking at new plants or interesting gardens or meeting interesting growers and gardeners- well get some one else to do that.
problem solved! and in doing re runs of Geoff, it would save money. no one could whine about it because no one wants to speak ill of the dead, especially not a universally admired and popular man as geoff hamilton was.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 18
Posted by Mycowaz (U14848091) on Wednesday, 27th April 2011
Hey Joey, I'm liking the cut of your jib!
I too am a big Geoff/Alan fan and yean for the good old days when you turned onto to GW and actually learnt something....
Obviously these guys cant make a return to the screen for obvious reasons, so perhaps we could suggest a replacement to MD that could do the job properly...
over to you guys.....
ZamLink to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 19
Posted by 1stClassAlan (U14795082) on Friday, 29th April 2011
The big problem with making a Gardening programme - is the audience!
There will alway be a hardcore of avid gardeners who want to see comforting reminders about the regular jobs to do ( which some would find boring an repetitous ) - then there is the huge wodge of marginally interested folk who want to do some instant gardening a couple of times a year when the sun comes out.
So you really need a blend of old Geoff and even Percy repeats and our Rachel doing a sort of Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú version of what's in the garden centre this week.Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 20
Posted by Mycowaz (U14848091) on Friday, 29th April 2011
If you don't mind me saying Al....your sitting on the fence a bit here mate.
I want names....suggestions.......!
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Message 21
Posted by chelley (U14811195) on Monday, 2nd May 2011
I am really unhappy with the monty show. i liked the format they had before. I feel that most of the programme is taken up with flowers and less with vegetables. ok we have the odd show where its all vegis but there are 28 episodes over the summer. It also has a very south of the border perspective and never has mentioned scotland. Beechgrove has changed its format recently and has my vote now rather than gardners world. I have recently been turned on to gardening and now grow many of my own vegetables and the monty show is a definate turn off.
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Message 22
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Tuesday, 3rd May 2011
MD is really into growing vegetables, all sorts of vegetables, and lots of fruit too. Indeed he wrote a book on it 'from fork to fork' I think it was called.
However, when he goes into it too much, he gets 100% slated here by those who only wish to see ornamental flower gardens.
It's a tad unfair to throw in the towel just yet as we've only had a few shows this season and with the programme now coming from his own garden, I have a feeling that we'll be seeing quite a bit in the way of veggies and soft fruits during the rest of the growing season.
Also a tad unfair your comment about 'a very south of the border perspective and never has mentioned Scotland' ... Scotland has its very own programme, and a wonderful one it is too. That aside, looking at the stages of growth in MD's frosty garden, it looks to me that he's more in line with what's happening in Scotland's gardens than he is with the rest of England and Wales.
So don't thow Monty out with the bathwater just yet ... there'll be lots of veggies and fruits to be seen during the rest of the season, or I'll eat my hat
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Message 23
Posted by Derek Pig (U14833635) on Wednesday, 4th May 2011
i agree. there isn't a gardening programme for yorkshire either - thankfully- and lest face it, i bet the majority of GW viewers live in the south east of england- and not just because thats where most of the people in thius country live.
i hope everyone will give monty a chance- really, coming on a message board and slagging him off seems just unpleasant.
Give him a chance to get settled- good to see Monty back!Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 24
Posted by Plot06 (U14852489) on Thursday, 5th May 2011
Hm, I'm not a great MD fan, but I will say he knows veg and how to grow them. I suppose I do get a bit bored when he in the ornamental garden mainly because I too prefer to grow veg. I think what is needed is a balance and as stated we are only 3 or 4 programmes into the season and whilst MD's garden is well established it is not a well established TV garden. I am of the mind that we give both MD and his Garden a chance . I do think it is a bit shrub and hedge heavy but that's personal opinion.
I have watched a couple of Beechgrove recently and yes it is a decent programme, and that is because they have achieved the balance which is important to an ongoing series .
Let's give MD a chance for the rest of the season
Plot06Link to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 25
Posted by caerdeon (U14862354) on Friday, 6th May 2011
I agree with many of the comments made. It was stated that there were many complaints that Toby had 'dumbed down' GW. I always found Toby to be informative and relevant. I no longer look forward to Friday evening for half an hour (never long enough) of gardening programme. We have a similar format as before but concentrating on Monty's garden rather than being instructive for our own. Perhaps more of the problems that we gardeners face would bring the excitement back. There must be many new gardeners (we are constantly encouraged to 'grow your own') that experience problems. Perhaps these should be covered in more detail.Ìý Couldn't agree more. Have just watched GW for the last time. Monty Don looking at weeds, pulling up weeds, showing photos of a flooded garden, digging holes and planting, digging up dead plants, cutting down dead plants, watering, earthing up potatoes...riveting stuff? No! Then Rachel de Thame, very posh, showing us round a posh garden with its posh owner..yawn. And Carol Klein with a whole section on birds and insects. What happened to the gardening? These guys are very nice, but sadly past their sell-by dates. It was so much better with the younger presenters. Come back Toby and company. You gave us common-sense gardening tips and showed us stuff like how to grow vegetables and take cuttings. You were both informative and relevant. Today's programme was so dull, patronising and boring and had very little to do with gardening.
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Message 26
Posted by Charlie (U14870724) on Friday, 8th July 2011
I agree with many of the comments made. It was stated that there were many complaints that Toby had 'dumbed down' GW. I always found Toby to be informative and relevant. I no longer look forward to Friday evening for half an hour (never long enough) of gardening programme. We have a similar format as before but concentrating on Monty's garden rather than being instructive for our own. Perhaps more of the problems that we gardeners face would bring the excitement back. There must be many new gardeners (we are constantly encouraged to 'grow your own') that experience problems. Perhaps these should be covered in more detail.Ìý Couldn't agree more. Have just watched GW for the last time. Monty Don looking at weeds, pulling up weeds, showing photos of a flooded garden, digging holes and planting, digging up dead plants, cutting down dead plants, watering, earthing up potatoes...riveting stuff? No! Then Rachel de Thame, very posh, showing us round a posh garden with its posh owner..yawn. And Carol Klein with a whole section on birds and insects. What happened to the gardening? These guys are very nice, but sadly past their sell-by dates. It was so much better with the younger presenters. Come back Toby and company. You gave us common-sense gardening tips and showed us stuff like how to grow vegetables and take cuttings. You were both informative and relevant. Today's programme was so dull, patronising and boring and had very little to do with gardening.
Ìý Ido agree bring back Toby Alys Joe move on Monty Carol Rachel and of course AT. The only good piont i found with Hamptom \court wasa the fact that Mr \Titchmarsh wasnt in it hurry
At the moment I'm not watching GW half as much with Monty at the helm for me hes working his own garden and it's not insperational just as it was when we where in AT's garden
If Monty & Carol cannt inspirer an old gardener how is he going to get new ones up and digging
Come on beeb let them go get back to the new faces for GWLink to this forum: GW - What's the solution to the problem?
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Message 27
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Friday, 8th July 2011
Come on Beeb - let's not.
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Message 28
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Friday, 8th July 2011
I can't see what the problem is? Perhaps there is no problem. I'm currently watching another terrific GW with Hampton Court before it and AT's programme videod. Me? I'm pretty happy thanks.
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