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Hampton Court
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Tuesday, 5th July 2011
I've just watched the recording of last night's coverage of the Hampton Court Flower Show, and saw Monty Don commenting on the 'Edible Garden'. Part of it went " .............. A lavender field with olives, this is saying 'Perhaps this is what we could be doing in our gardens, with climate change".
During the past 3 years we've experienced some of the worst winters in years - the last one being the worst on record. Along with virtually every gardener in the country, I lost an incredible number of plants, from small 'hardy' osteospermums, my entire collection of penstemons, through to 4 very large hebes (which I've had for years) and many others inbetween.
I cannot believe he is still going on about 'Climate Change, and what we should be growing now. What planet is he on.
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Message 2
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Tuesday, 5th July 2011
happytobyfan
I watched it last night and about fell of my chair when he said that - planet Monty
Sunday we visited Wolds Way Lavender in Yorkshire, they had lost about 25,000 Lavender plants last winter and that's on ground that was virtually well drained sand.
I will post some pictures in due course
A very interesting article - on global warming - err cooling - from today
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Message 3
Posted by ladynovicegardener (U5368058) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
It was a good show but I could'nt believe what he said about growing olives and lavender. More thursday and friday.
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Message 4
Posted by everhopeful (U11289037) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
It was a good show but I could'nt believe what he said about growing olives and lavender. More thursday and friday.Ìý Actually I grow lavender and also have 2 olive trees For my pleasure tho not anything to do with climate change. If I can manage to post some pics I will let u see how good they look.
EH -
Message 5
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Typical Monty Don, why can't we have presenters who know their subject?
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Message 6
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
I actually feel quite sad for him, he has been quite open about his struggles with depression and sun light deficiency, he loves figs and lemon trees, olives and lavender. He did a whole series on Italian gardens and his own garden shows that he loves that formal style. He obviously longs to live in Italy.
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Message 7
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Typical Monty Don, why can't we have presenters who know their subject?Ìý
Or at least live on the same planet as us. Maybe God protected his 'little corner of the earth' - but he sure as hell didn't give us, here in the north west, any protection
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Message 8
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
He obviously longs to live in Italy.Ìý
He obviously thinks he, and the rest of us, do.
I also love many Mediterranean plants, but I'm not kidding myself that I can grow them (and keep them outside throughout the winter) here. I even lost many of my plants, which were in the greenhouse, last year. -
Message 9
Posted by Sue Hall (U13984403) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
ummmmm.............climate change is measured over millenia, whilst weather patterns and trends (as in our dreadful recent winters) are monitored over a much smaller time scale (around 30 years).
What I am trying to say is that today's/last winter's weather is not an indicator of climate change patterns. Monty may be right - in east Anglia this year's drought may mean that olives and lavender could be robust enough for the dry conditions.
And I am not banging on any climate change drum here, it's just that climate change is a complex science and two bad winters don't necessarily indicate future trends. -
Message 10
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
I often watch the repeats of old GWs and last week in 2005 they visited a man who only grew tropical plants, I wonder how he fared over the last few years.
I would of thought that a large part of sustainable gardening would be about plants that like our variable climate. -
Message 11
Posted by garyhobson (U11055016) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Monty covered the subject of lavender on GW a couple of months ago. Monty clearly explained that lavender absolutely has to have good drainage. Monty planted up some pots in his own garden. He didn't attempt to grow it in the soil.
According to this American website, provided it has good drainage, English lavender is hardy to 'zone 5', that is -25C:
And this is a specialist lavender grower in Michigan, USA (zone 5):
Back to the post topic... Hampton Court...
What impressed me the most on that show was Chris Beardshaw's garden. Very naturalistic. Though I wasn't too keen on the green roof, which I felt was out of place, a concept that was too modern for that garden, IMO. -
Message 12
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
The Monty-Bashers are still at it, I see. Who am I to second guess what such an eloquent man has said but to my mind 'climate change' means a gradual alteration in our climate. Nobody can disagree that our weather is becoming more extreme these days - the coldest winter, the hottest summer, the longest drought, floods, and so on. Each month the weather people tell us that last months records exceeded expectations.
Mention was made of that chap up in Norwich who has a semi-tropical garden. Sorry I have forgotten his name but he's written books on the subject. I do know he builds great big timber structures to surround his Banana Trees then wraps them in hessian sacking filled with straw. He therefore goes to quite extremes to get his semi-tropical plants to survive. My Banana wrapped in layers and layers of fleece plus a waterproof topping failed to survive last winter. -
Message 13
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Ah, got it! It's Will Giles.
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Message 14
Posted by Derek Pig (U14833635) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Here here Paul N. I just dont uinderstand the bitterness and bile directed towards such an affable easy going likeable guy. Its not like he's universally despicable or divisive or contentious like Jeremy Clarkson or Margaret Thatcher. Some people have got nothing to be angry about so theyre angry about nothing.
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Message 15
Posted by Pumpkin_Patch_Paul (U14565900) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
ummmmm.............climate change is measured over millenia, whilst weather patterns and trends (as in our dreadful recent winters) are monitored over a much smaller time scale (around 30 years).
What I am trying to say is that today's/last winter's weather is not an indicator of climate change patterns. Monty may be right - in east Anglia this year's drought may mean that olives and lavender could be robust enough for the dry conditions.
And I am not banging on any climate change drum here, it's just that climate change is a complex science and two bad winters don't necessarily indicate future trends.Ìý Trouble with climate change people is when its a mild winter its down to climate change but when its a bitter cold winter it's down to the weather,you can't have it both ways.
It is quite amazing how a scientist can get a big research grant if they tag the words "climate change" on the end of their grant applications...
PPP. -
Message 16
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Ah, got it! It's Will Giles.
Ìý Thanks for the link, I have read his blog for winter and early spring which I have to say was heartbreaking but convinced me that it is better to stay with a good mix of proper hardy plants and cheaper tender plants. -
Message 17
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
ummmmm.............climate change is measured over millenia, whilst weather patterns and trends (as in our dreadful recent winters) are monitored over a much smaller time scale (around 30 years).
What I am trying to say is that today's/last winter's weather is not an indicator of climate change patterns. Monty may be right - in east Anglia this year's drought may mean that olives and lavender could be robust enough for the dry conditions.
And I am not banging on any climate change drum here, it's just that climate change is a complex science and two bad winters don't necessarily indicate future trends.Ìý I agree. I'm still sitting on the fence as to how much human activity is responsible for climate change but clearly something is happening. Visits to the Rhone Glacier, the Mer de Glace in Chamonix and the Athabascar Glacier in Alberta Canada confirm that they are all in retreat - somewhat alarmingly. I was shocked at how much ice and snow had disappeared on Mont Blanc compared to a visit 30 years ago, both visits were in the summer months and I had to compare photos just to be sure I wasn't imagining it.
Hitchin Lavender plants in my neck of the woods are looking fantastic and temperatures here went down to -15 degrees C for 3 consecutive nights last winter. They are on a south facing slope in very well drained sandy soil. -
Message 18
Posted by Derek Pig (U14833635) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
its funny PPP that you cant find a reputable scientist who doesnt believe in climate change being a devastating and man made phenomena. There isnt one single peer reviewed paper from the scientific community saying it isnt. So, thats thousands of documents against none.
We are experienceing species loss at an unprecidented rate. we are losing valuable habitat at an unsustainable rate. No one argues with this.
its funny that you say about getting grants for climate change research. Are you really convinced that oil companies havent spent more money than you could shake your lavender at to try to prove the opposite. Where do you really think the money is piled up? really? really?
There is a diffreence betwen being cynical and careful and measured as opposed to being an idiot. Some people have spent that long reading poorly researched scientific fraud that they wouldnt accept climate change was happenning when it wakes them up with a big wallop in the chops to show them their little english castle burning to the ground -
Message 19
Posted by girlgardener (U14297749) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Monty's not wide of the mark - I live near some large lavender fields, which didn't suffer from this winter - it's more the wet that kills them rather than the cold. I also met the man with the olive tree groves at Malvern Show and he was telling me that there are more and more productive English olive groves being planted in the UK.
Climate change is happening, even though I don't believe it is man made, so why should he not suggest growing more mediterranean plants. For those in the south or with sheltered gardens, his suggestion is valid. I understand those in the north may not agree, but the south have to watch him doing gardening tasks we have already done due to the difference in climate! -
Message 20
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
Sunday we visited Wolds Way Lavender in Yorkshire, they had lost about 25,000 Lavender plants last winter and that's on ground that was virtually well drained sand.
I will post some pictures in due courseÌý
RowanCottage
When you put the pictures on, make sure they're accompanied by a warning for anyone of a nervous disposition. Making any comment about St Monty, that isn't saying how wonderful he is, seems to get a couple of people wired into the mains.
As I said, I, along with millions of other people in the UK lost a vast number of plants last year - and some of the scientists said earlier on this year that what we have experienced over the past 3 years could become the norm, certainly for the next 10 years.
So, all things considered, I really don't care what name the change in our winters are called - the bottom line is, I will not be considering growing any plants which need 'Global Warming' conditions. -
Message 21
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Wednesday, 6th July 2011
happytobyfan
I have a very very long memory - and am very aware of the Don's past.
Anyway the pictures are on this thread
The damage to the lavender fields at Wolds Way is evident in the background
These were established plants -and well cared for
I have very little faith in any climate model until you can see it predicting the actual temperature at given site for a period of lets say 10 years. In other words statistically they have not got a 3+1ing clue. One big volcanic eruption and its winter for 5 years.
The NASA and our govt agencies cannot even agree on the same data which was the hottest year in the last 10 , so what hope do we have.
It made me laugh the other day when they are now blaming the REDUCTION in temperature on the Chinese burning coal. I thought that this was one of the things they were trying to stop because the CO2 caused warming. But that seems an inconvenient truth now.
Burn more coal to ward of global warming - you could not write this stuff.
Jolly Hockey sticks away - as they say to all the warmists
If its not a registered religion it should be
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Message 22
Posted by happytobyfan (U13663471) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
Hi Rowan
I'd just seen the photos on the Garden Inspiration Board. I, and every other gardener I've spoken to, was gutted at the number of plants lost last year. However, I cannnot begin to image what the people who own these lavender fields must have felt like. I would say devastation doesn't even begin to describe it.
Like you, I don't have any faith in the so-called Global Warming 'experts' - for the very reasons you've stated.
Sue Hall (Message9) wrote .............climate change is measured over millenia, whilst weather patterns and trends (as in our dreadful recent winters) are monitored over a much smaller time scale (around 30 years).Ìý .
I wouldn't argue with this, and, as a gardener who does not expect to live for hundreds of years, it is the weather patterns that I'm interested in. I read a little while ago that what we've experienced over the past 3 years may well go on for the next 10 years or so.
Over the years I have wasted so much money on plants that I've then lost, mainly through lack of knowledge. I hope, if anyone takes 'The Don's advice and starts buying plants which need Global Warming temperatures, that they are still around in the number of years it will take (if the 'experts are right
) for the earth to warm up enough here, for these plants to survive.
I certainly wont be dashing out any time soon, to buy more plants that I know I'm going to lose. Instead I will be taking as many cuttings as possible, to prevent a repeat of last year.
HTF -
Message 23
Posted by Derek Pig (U14833635) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
happytobyfan
i dont want to have a go but comments like that cant be left unanswered.
"So Called Global warming Experts" are scientists, the entire scientific community, not one exeption with any peer reviewed paper to the contrary. thats all them so called experts versus you, Clarkson and some weird view that youre being conned.
As for your agreemnet with Sue, the graphs used to show climate change is taking place and the world is heating up isnt a 30 year model.Its much older than that. It also looks at CO2 concentration in the stmosphere. Paleobotanists look at co2 levels in the atmosphere to predict when plants developed lignin etc. To arguie against this is flat earthist, religiously creationist or just plain blind.
Climate change is unpredictable. I wouldnt rush out and buy any cacti just yet. i would buy bland generalists that will tolerate weather extremes, if i was unadventurous. Climatologists predict extremes, extremes based upon the undenyable link between co2 and temperature. Unless someone is a weirdo antiscientific cretionist, a denyer of common sense or a worshipper at the alter of Clarkson, there is NO REASONABLE doubt about it.
Again, i'd ask you to spend one minute thinking. Where is the money...? Eh, oil? Thats right. Who has the money...? Eh, oil barons who rely on the burning of fossil fuel? Correct! Now, ask yourself, why do so many people, in the face of scientific agreement, in the face of unprecidented species loss and habitat degradation, why do so many people think that climate change is just scientists trying to get more money for grants or governments trying to tax them more? Now who would have the money to put that idea into our susceptable unquestioning but simple and unscientific heads? -
Message 24
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
Hampton Court on TV tonight? Terrific! I loved (almost) every minute of it.
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Message 25
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
Hampton Court on TV tonight? Terrific! I loved (almost) every minute of it.Ìý
Well that’s alright then! -
Message 26
Posted by honestGreengrass (U11104227) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
Did anyone else spot the Beepol bumblebee hive in the heather garden?!! Chris Beardshaw nearly sat on it so I hope there wasn't any live bumblebees inside
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Message 27
Posted by mysteryletterboxs (U1950653) on Thursday, 7th July 2011
Good to see Alys managed to get an hour off from her 1940's factory work. Must have filmed it during her lunch break..........!
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Message 28
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Friday, 8th July 2011
Nice to see Alys back on the TV, I still believe a presenting talent that should not have been dispensed with after the GW reshuffle with Toby's demise!!.
With regard tonight's coverage if its the Hampton Court Show why was the first ten minutes of Chris Beardshaw's team being trained up for their work at the show
-we did not even see a detailed coverage of their work.
BTW I see zoomy/pulled focus camera-person was dispatched to do some of the Hampton Court coverage-hoped they might have left. 
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Message 29
Posted by cleverelliejo (U13778549) on Saturday, 9th July 2011
I thought some of the gardens were daft, the one in the sky silly.
I thought it was a "Flower Show"
And I thought the Music was over the top, I go out in my garden for peace and quiet.
Global warming is all about the Billions being raked in, in green taxes, which just goes into the Gov., coffers. for general use..
I thought Alys looked like Alice in Wonderland.........kept expecting her to disappear down a rabbit hole....... -
Message 30
Posted by David K (U14115317) on Saturday, 9th July 2011
I thought some of the gardens were daft, the one in the sky sillyÌý
I find ALL of the gardens at ALL of the shows (particularly Chelsea) DAFT! -
Message 31
Posted by koala_girl (U12702629) on Saturday, 9th July 2011
I spent the day at Hampton Court today and was a bit disappointed by a number of the gardens. Quite a few were not a patch on last year's ones. The Naked Garden was terrible and the sky garden was a bit pointless.
The gardens which I particularly liked were:
Why we care about chalk streams - absolutely beautiful
The home front - lots of interesting details
Loves last adieu - lovely colours
My boy Jack - restful but moving
I thought that the displays put on my the plant nurseries in the Totally Plants area were much better than a lot of the show gardens. They put on a terrific show.
Despite the disappointing show gardens, I did enjoy looking at everything else. Loved the floral marquee. -
Message 32
Posted by NCFCcrazy (U8661784) on Saturday, 16th July 2011
Both my olives came through the last 2 winters without any protection at all, they are hardier than people think
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Message 33
Posted by Lowena (U14575314) on Saturday, 16th July 2011
Mine did too
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Message 34
Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Saturday, 16th July 2011
and mine
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