Tonight's Grow Your Own Veg

[Cider Boys]

After all my previous criticisms, I actually enjoyed Carol’s programme to-night. I especially admired the ingenuity of the visually impaired gardener and his productive allotment. All in all dare I say both enjoyable and a little informative?

Barney

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Barney, i agree with about the visually impaired man, i found it quite humbling.

[Cider Boys]

Yes OH, 'humbling' describes it perfectly.

Barney

[carlseawolf]

I HOPE MY CABBAGES GROW WELL THIS YEAR OR IT WILL BE A LONG YEAR HAVING THE MICKEY TAKEN OUT OF ME BY THE FAMILY , IF HE CAN DO IT VISUALLY INPAIRED THEN WHAT EXCUSE WILL I HAVE ( MAY THE GODS BE ON MY SIDE )

[Compo]

I guess it makes him even more determined to make it work, good story though.

[Chris]

Hi

Well my partner fell asleep but I stuck it out - mainly so that I could make an informed comment. The visually impaired gardener was interesting and I guess I wanted to know the full story - too many unanswered questions. Glad you lot enjoyed it - not really the best thing on TV for me sandwiched between the really informative programmes on Kew gardens and Hadrian's wall.

It was almost light when I left work today - great feeling.

[alan refail]

Hi all
Thanks for your comments. I look forward to catching the programme if it is reshown next week. We Welsh, yet again, were given two hours of ***** rugby on BBC 2
Alan

[Allan]

We caught a repeat of the previous programme last Monday. It is being repeated Mon 7.30 PM BBC2.
Allan

[Chantal]

Following on from comments on this episode, and previous episodes (which I have seen), I was amazed and delighted last week. I met one of the newbies on our plot who said he was trying to find a source of jerusalem artichokes as he and his wife wanted to give them a go. He said they'd been watching that great new veg programme on the TV, had I seen it, wasn't it brilliant, and they were inspired to do great things with their plot this year.

They took on their plot mid/late last year and don't know much at all, so perhaps the programme is working; not for us old hands, but for people like them. I do hope so.

I did give him a load of artichokes and suggested eating a few before growing them.

[Cider Boys]

Perhaps we “old hands” should lobby for an informative programme, as more people are introduced to the delights of vegetable gardening surely then their interest will increase.

Chris is right that both programmes each side, Kew Garden and Hadrian’s Wall, are highly informative and there is no doubt an audience for a similar series reflecting vegetable growing exists. I would welcome a series reflecting the changes from traditional to modern techniques by visiting commercial market gardeners together with associations such as The Good Gardeners Association (formerly HDRA). I should also be interested to learn about the practises of successful Soil Association approved growers such as Guy Watson who runs the very successful Riverford Organic from Staverton throughout the West Country. Much could be learned from people gardening on a large scale and how they have adapted their methods to encompass both the conventional and organic approaches.

Incidentally in support of openness and fairness, Guy Watson’s response to David Miliband’s recent comments on organic farming is very interesting, it can be found at the 'riverford organic' website but I have yet to be completely convinced. From past experience I do know at least one or two of you are keen on your organics and the Riverford site is well worth a visit.

All the best

Barney

[oldherbaceous]

Since i have my very honest head on today, i don't really think it matters what programme they put on, we would be able to find something wrong with it.

I wonder if the staff at the K.G magazine ever worry about us lot finding fault.

[Mole]

Barney

Sorry to be pedantic but HDRA is now called Garden Organic. Good Gardeners Association is a smaller concern which promotes no-dig organic gardening.

My next thread is inspired by your comments about being convinced by 'Organic' arguments.

[submariner]

Alan, There's nothing wrong with showing rugby. Better by far than kiss ball! Anyway, with satelite you could have watched it. I did. Taped it and after the rugby watched it.

[alan refail]

Sorry, Sub bach, I just don't like it. It's just the bee in my bonnet.

Alan

[submariner]

That's OK Alan. You Gogs are mainly kiss ball followers anyway. Each to their own.