Gardeners' World

I love Monty, really enjoy the programme. I would certainly stop watching if Joe Swift or Carol Klein presented - can't stand either of them!

I didn't notice anything, I guess I expect the first few programmes to be different till they get into their stride. I think Monty is great, for his integrity as well as his knowledge and delivery. You won't catch him advertising dodgy payday loans. I quite like them covering the same seasonal things, it emphasises the rituals of gardening and lots of the audience will be new anyway, and I need constant reminding.

Monty has mental health issues, I think he works really well in gardners world, having just read his book I am full of admiration for him. Love the dogs.
Having gd who has mental health issues re:anxiety attacks, panic attacks and also having to do her GCSEs this may-june. Quite understand some things can be difficult. If you haven't read his book do so, the BBC are at his house televising the programme for weeks don't think I could cope with that, especially when it's more than one take.

I love Monty too. I don't think there is anything wrong with his style, although I get that it wouldn't be for everyone. I agree that there isn't a lot going on in the programme yet, but there isn't a lot going on in our gardens is there? It's too soon for much more than tidying and planning, both of which (more planning) he focused upon. Also, for those who felt he was a bit 'slow' in his style, as another poster said, he does suffer from depression, which is worse in winter. We haven't had a great deal of sun yet. For me, he always seems so human and unpolished. I like that very much, and I love the dogs.

As for going over the same ground (pun intended), it's inevitable. If that didn't happen, the programme wouldn't be suitable for new gardeners.

No no no! Love Monty Don, and wouldn't want another presenter. Thought the lichen insert very interesting. Lived in South Africa for many years, and plant life very similar to Caribbean. Monty very popular there too. Love Monty and his gorgeous dogs.

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Joe Swift at Tatton.

I like the programme and Monty don but I do think his garden is rather small so year on year its similar

Small jessycake? Its bloomin' massive !

I only watch it to see Nigel and Nellie, his dogs. They are the highlight of the show. I'm a softie for animals.

Never the same since Alan and his team left.Then in Alan's days'I was a regular visitor to the NEC Gardeners World, Not any more.
My favourite is now the Beechgrove Garden.

Gah! Can't stand Saint Alan of Gardening!

Which book are you referring to, Sheilasue? Monty has written loads.

I like the Beechgrove Garden as well.

I loved Geoff Hamilton. I am often aghast at how much Monty must spend - way beyond my reach. I too like Beechgrove - its back this week I believe.

Gah! Can't stand Saint Alan of Gardening!

That makes 2 of us merlot I'm not fussed on him either.

A bit of a thread drift - I take a weekly french gardening magazine Rustica and they have a regular 4 page article about specialist gardens. Often it's from the UK . And they often use photos of Alan and Carol Klein - I haven't seen one of Monty yet.

I stopped watching it when Monty Don took over so I sympathise with those of you who are still watching Gardeners World.

I am a retired garden designer and horticulturist, and used to look forward to GW, but I stopped watching a few years ago as there wasn't enough to hold my interest.

I think Monty is ok, but I prefer a more upbeat presenter like Carol Klein (over the top for some, I believe, but she really grabs your attention).

I would like to see more on plant combinations too - Carol used to present some of these and this was both interesting and informative.

Adam frost seems to be up and coming, I like his style and perhaps he's being prepared for main presenter in the future perhaps.

I have started to watch again this season, and will see how it goes.

Adam frost seems to be up and coming, I like his style and perhaps he's being prepared for main presenter in the future perhaps

I've been thinking the same, Bluegayn, seeing as he has a regular feature designing and developing a very large garden in his impressive country pad!

Not sure I like him just yet. Perhaps he'll grow on me

Oh please - do not give Monty a hard time. We love watching his programme. He strikes me as having no airs or graces and no huge ego like some 'celebrities' on TV. I've seen him a few times at Chelsea or maybe it was Hampton Court and he is just a normal bloke trying to do his job the best he can. Apart from having a stroke a few years ago he is also plagued with depression. As a fellow sufferer I can tell he is probably struggling with it at the moment. There is nothing harder than trying to carry on as 'normal' when you are in that dark tunnel. To be honest even to get out of bed in the morning is a struggle sometimes so he is doing well in the circumstances if indeed he is going through a hard time mentally.

I love gardening and Monty is one of my favourites. Don't like Joe Swift's style, and Carol Kline can be too gushy for me although I think she is a nice person.

I know the basics but what they do and what happens in my garden are completely different. Perhaps it is because of their soil I don't know, but last year I had one massive carrot, and no potatoes at all although I planted 4 tubs of the things and got a lot of healthy green tops but nothing else. Must be doing it wrong or perhaps I have mice but I haven't seen any, only one little dormouse.

I have two small greenhouses of the plastic kind, but I wish I had a proper one. Every Mothers' Day I ask for plants and usually get them. This year I got binoculars too so I can watch the birds more closely.

Don't you feel envious of all these huge gardens? Maybe the programme needs to have a re-think because we cannot all afford ponds, outdoor furniture, stylists or very expensive shrubs and trees.

I have lots of small to medium shrubs and about 4 trees, including a beautiful Magnolia that is in full bloom at the moment, and also an apple tree that is coming in to bud. Also my favourite is my Snow Tree through which I have allowed a clematis to climb so that I have something for every season, snow and berries in the winter, flowers in the spring and summer and coloured foliage in the autumn. Plus an Acer that changes colour too.

Any vegetables and tomatoes have to either be grown in pots or in the little greenhouses.

We have two acres, Yorkshiregel. It's been work in progress since 1998!

One acre is still a field as we are on a very tight budget so constantly spending on the areas nearest the bungalow and annexe. Oh how I'd love a nice juicy lottery win!

Be careful what you wish for

yup, the dogs make it for me!

Why can't anyone of those putting questions to the panel just deliver their query in a straightforward and no-nonsense manner? Why, oh, why do they have to always put a "comedy twist" in their question?

Most of the puns are just too cringing to listen to, but I still listen because I can't believe just how awful they are......

Love Montys quiet style. I have to fast forward when Carol is on. She drives me mad.