Did anyone else listen to the end part of Gardeners’ Question time? The gardening editors of newspapers etc. were discussing the decline in gardening interest including TV programmes, I thought Peter Seabrook ‘hit the nail on the head’ when he commented that now all the gardening programmes employ first rate presenters who can not garden. He spoke of the all the ex medics and models etc.. Although for my self ex medic Sarah Raven is the best and has the most knowledge of the entire present bunch and it is not right to place her as a presenter that can’t garden. However, Peter made some truly pertinent points when he alluded to the fact that Carol Klein (a first rate gardener in my opinion) admitted to not having grown vegetables for twenty or so years but was featured growing vegetables. I also regard Joe Swift in the same way – he is obviously not a vegetable growing expert but it is his advice and actions that are featured each week. Perhaps it is to encourage new-comers to vegetable growing that the BBC see this as the best way to educate us all, I for one certainly do not. The old school, Arthur Billett, Percy Thrower and Peter Seabrook himself were a proven wealth of knowledge and I wish their like would once more be used as gardening experts. I am not saying that all presenters must have had no previous or other career than horticulture, that would be silly and prejudiced, I always have realised the contributions that enthusiastic amateurs have brought to any occupation. Patrick Moore I believe was never a professional astronomer but his knowledge and experience was there to be admired by all, in other words he was chosen for his knowledge and not as a TV personality that came later by his natural talent. In essence I want to hear from knowledgeable presenters how to best grow vegetables; anyone can recite what it says on the back of seed packets or the latest ABC of gardening (organic of course).
I hope the BBC will get the message that, what I want is to hear from presenters with proven expertise and hard earned experience not a bunch of photogenic greenhorn, rookie, will of the wisp, light weight, whippersnapper upstarts.
Barney
Was Peter Seabrook right?
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Cider Boys
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WestHamRon
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Cider Boys wrote:Did anyone else listen to the end part of Gardeners’ Question time? The gardening editors of newspapers etc. were discussing the decline in gardening interest including TV programmes, I thought Peter Seabrook ‘hit the nail on the head’ when he commented that now all the gardening programmes employ first rate presenters who can not garden. He spoke of the all the ex medics and models etc.. Although for my self ex medic Sarah Raven is the best and has the most knowledge of the entire present bunch and it is not right to place her as a presenter that can’t garden. However, Peter made some truly pertinent points when he alluded to the fact that Carol Klein (a first rate gardener in my opinion) admitted to not having grown vegetables for twenty or so years but was featured growing vegetables. I also regard Joe Swift in the same way – he is obviously not a vegetable growing expert but it is his advice and actions that are featured each week. Perhaps it is to encourage new-comers to vegetable growing that the BBC see this as the best way to educate us all, I for one certainly do not. The old school, Arthur Billett, Percy Thrower and Peter Seabrook himself were a proven wealth of knowledge and I wish their like would once more be used as gardening experts. I am not saying that all presenters must have had no previous or other career than horticulture, that would be silly and prejudiced, I always have realised the contributions that enthusiastic amateurs have brought to any occupation. Patrick Moore I believe was never a professional astronomer but his knowledge and experience was there to be admired by all, in other words he was chosen for his knowledge and not as a TV personality that came later by his natural talent. In essence I want to hear from knowledgeable presenters how to best grow vegetables; anyone can recite what it says on the back of seed packets or the latest ABC of gardening (organic of course).
I hope the BBC will get the message that, what I want is to hear from presenters with proven expertise and hard earned experience not a bunch of photogenic greenhorn, rookie, will of the wisp, light weight, whippersnapper upstarts.
Barney
Don't hold back; tell us what you really think, Barney.
Seriously, I hardly ever watch TV anymore and certainly wouldn't waste my time on "Gardening" programs.
If I want to find the answers to any problems I have growing my veggies, I come online to this or other websites.
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oldherbaceous
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It would be nice if they could find a Head Gardener, thats down to earth with a little wit.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Geoff
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Must remember to listen to the repeat - I listened to the GP on 5Live instead today. If you remember I posted about PS comments on green manure and peat over the last couple of programmes - he has been a breath of fresh air.
Hi Barney,
Sadly people like Peter Seabrook have been banished to the archives as regards the BBC.
There is an article by him in the Horticulture Weekly with regards to the use of Peat.
According to Peter, contrary to the popular belief, that Peat is a scarce and precious thing that should be conserved at all costs, in Europe Peat is being laid down by nature at a rate faster than horticulture could use it. The so called precious raised bogs, that must be preserved at all costs, do take in CO2 but give off twice as much Methane which is far more damaging to the atmosphere and is a prime cause of global warming.
Peter is a down to earth total expert where horticulture, of all categories, is concerned and, like myself, does not subscribe to the arty farty methods used in television programmes of today.
Peter is the perfect example of a professional.
JB.
Sadly people like Peter Seabrook have been banished to the archives as regards the BBC.
There is an article by him in the Horticulture Weekly with regards to the use of Peat.
According to Peter, contrary to the popular belief, that Peat is a scarce and precious thing that should be conserved at all costs, in Europe Peat is being laid down by nature at a rate faster than horticulture could use it. The so called precious raised bogs, that must be preserved at all costs, do take in CO2 but give off twice as much Methane which is far more damaging to the atmosphere and is a prime cause of global warming.
Peter is a down to earth total expert where horticulture, of all categories, is concerned and, like myself, does not subscribe to the arty farty methods used in television programmes of today.
Peter is the perfect example of a professional.
JB.
Geoffrey Smith of Mr Smith's Garden started me off veg gardening. And the BBC produced a very useful little book on month-by-month veg growing. But I agree with WestHamRon. I come to this forum for gardening advice now.
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Granny
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Granny
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PLUMPUDDING
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I quite agree Barney, if I want to find anything out I read a book, look on the internet, forums etc or to on a specific course lead by professionals. The present gardening programmes are so phoney they are irritating.
I do enjoy the articles written by Head Gardeners in the magazine, (is it KG, or Organic Gardening?) They would make a much more informative programme, and I'm sure some would have the "gift of the gab" for presenting.
I do enjoy the articles written by Head Gardeners in the magazine, (is it KG, or Organic Gardening?) They would make a much more informative programme, and I'm sure some would have the "gift of the gab" for presenting.
An independant film production company has been working on our allotment site recently (they're visiting quite a few) with a view to making a gardening series for TV based around a year on the allotments, but using REAL plot-holders and progressing the whole trend for veg-growing programmes a step beyond beginner level. So tips like the ones you read on here, straight from the horse's mouth. They enjoyed filming our top tip for turning your compost heap - throw a terrier into the hopper and shout 'rats!' Little Oscar will turn the whole lot over in an hour with glee and the simple reward of a biscuit at the end of his labours. Now you won't see that advice on Gardener's World! If this film ever gets made he'll be the star of the show. 
