Why is Gardener's World rubbish now?!!

Allira I also have a Percy Thrower gardening book that I was thrilled to find in a charity shop for 80p! Just good basic gardening advice about soil, seeds and plants. All natural remedies for every gardeners problems.

I must glance through it, it's years since I read it.

I watch Garden Rescue for plant and tree tips.
I definitely agree that a presenter visiting a stately home garden doesn’t really help or inform the ordinary gardener? Plant names are thin on the ground.
I think garden design tips plus horticulture, ie actual plant names for suggested plantings at average garden size, would be better.
Just saying.

I wouldn’t describe it as a complete load of rubbish. I find it inspirational and with a large garden, Monty can show a lot of different aspects of gardening. I like seeing other people’s gardens too. I inevitably fall asleep during it which isn’t because it’s boring but because it’s relaxing! So I’ve taken to watching it on catch up in the morning (and then you can even skip through anything that doesn’t interest you).

In some ways I prefer Beechgrove now. Pity it's only a half hour programme.

I guess the issue is, that the programme requires finding a gardener/presenter with a huge garden who agrees to filming series upon series.
I actually think the programme could be condensed, or at least the format revised.

OhOhOh

Percy Thrower, Arthur Billington and Geoff Hamilton were true gardeners through and through. They lived and breathed horticulture, were never seen without soil on their hands and wellies or boots and had no interest in being seen as a celebrity; their only intentions were to grow and impart their knowledge and experience to others. Titchmarsh was the turning point; he wanted fame and celebrity status; hence his frequent publicity appearances, novel writing and forays into "soap opera gardening shows" with the likes of Ground Force. GW went downhill further when they decided to "appeal to the laydee gardeners" and introduced Carol Klein who, apart from being a keen amateur gardener, has no training or horticultural background whatsoever. In short, GW has become a media show for a TV "personality", with a few plants thrown in for good effect. If you want to learn about gardening, you're better off getting a book out of the library than watching GW.

What the flipping heck?

Alan Titchmarsh is a time served gardener who worked his apprenticeship in council gardens and then Kew. He has the highest award of merit from the RHS.

Carol Klein has spent a lifetime with her hands in the soil, has run a nursery and is the consummate plantswoman's plantswoman. Monty Don said Carol has forgotten more than he has ever known.

Speaking as someone with horticultural training and background I have to say that some of the most knowledgeable and inspirtational gardeners I have ever met have never stepped inside a horticultural college.

When I went to college I had a good head start on many of my fellow students purely because I'd learned so much from GW over the years.

As for "appeal to the laydee gardeners"......what sexist claptrap. Women have always gardened and been represented strongly in horticulture. Gertrude Jekyll, Vita Sackville West, Beth Chatto, Norah Lindsey, Margery Fish all came decades before Carol Klein. Would you rather GW only featured old men in tweed?

I am going to don my tin hat here and say that I find Monty Don extremely irritating. As someone said upthread, he comes across as bit “precious” these days and I don’t know how he gets away with appearing as a presenter at Chelsea year after year looking like he’s slept in his clothes, when the other presenters make the effort to dress for the occasion.

I love Carol Klein and wish we saw more of her.

Me too!

Greyduster

I am going to don my tin hat here and say that I find Monty Don extremely irritating. As someone said upthread, he comes across as bit “precious” these days and I don’t know how he gets away with appearing as a presenter at Chelsea year after year looking like he’s slept in his clothes, when the other presenters make the effort to dress for the occasion.

I like a confident man in a linen jacket with disheveled hair myself. Each to their own though.

Monty’s clothes are his uniform. They don’t bother me. I expect he would dress up if he were dining at The Ritz!

I’ll have to disagree Greyduster Chelsea Flower Show is pretty pretentious and should be about the plants, not a fashion parade nor a place ‘to be seen’ which it has become.

I expect he would dress up if he were dining at The Ritz!. I doubt he’d get past the front door!
It’s not about fashion. It’s about respect. As for it being a uniform, I’ve been around uniforms all my life and no-one ever looked as scruffy as that. But all are entitled to their opinions😊!

SparklyGrandma

I watch Garden Rescue for plant and tree tips.
I definitely agree that a presenter visiting a stately home garden doesn’t really help or inform the ordinary gardener? Plant names are thin on the ground.
I think garden design tips plus horticulture, ie actual plant names for suggested plantings at average garden size, would be better.
Just saying.

I find Garden Rescue extremely irritating and much prefer Gardeners' World. They do visit the gardens of ordinary people and they can be inspiring.

Perhaps it's just me.

It's a pity we can't visit Monty's garden, I'd like to have a wander round.

I expect he would dress up if he were dining at The Ritz!. I doubt he’d get past the front door!

Well, if that's the attitude of the Ritz, I won't bother to go again 😁

I’ll miss Monty when he retires ( although I’m sure he could go on another 10 years )
Never been that keen on Alan Titchmarsh, although he’s well into his 70’s now so doubt he’d take over. He’s presented it before anyway.
Does anyone remember Geoff Hamilton? I liked him.

Does anyone remember Geoff Hamilton? I liked him.
Yes, me too.

I remember Geoff Hamilton - I learned a lot about gardening from his programmes.

Barleyfields

I love Carol Klein and wish we saw more of her.

Yes! I love Carol Klein too. I had stupidly forgotten to mention her in my initial ratty post.
She's a fabulous plantswoman, very knowledgeable and engaging too.
She would admirably fit into the lead presenters role at Gardeners World. As long as it not Adam or irritating Francis. 🤔

I can't listen to Carol Klein; there is a strain in her voice that turns me off. Is she asthmatic, do you know?

I believe that Carol Klein expected to get the role after Alan Titchmarsh left. I read that somewhere. I'm not a fan although I acknowledge her plantsmanship

All these presenters get lessons in the art of enthusing others Some get it right - Don and Titchmarsh for eg. and others (imo) miss the mark.

Boz

I can't listen to Carol Klein; there is a strain in her voice that turns me off. Is she asthmatic, do you know?

Not sure, but I know she had a double mastectomy last year, and was off TV due to that. She’s back now, which I’m pleased about, for her and us - she’s a real enthusiast, and I like her ideas for putting plants together in unusual combinations.

The comments about Monty's style reminded me of this old thread from Mumsnet.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4281220-If-Monty-Don-was-a-woman