Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi

I've been away from the Forum for a while but tonight feel that I have to share my feelings about GW. I've soldiered through the first couple of episodes and was left feling frustrated and unimpressed by the production. There is no gardening intelligence behind this pastiche. It's worse than pants.

In the past I found that GW - for all its faults - helped me relax on a Friday and plan the work I would be doing in the garden over the weekend. Tonight after 20 mins. I gave up, got changed and went out to sow 2 rows of Hurst Grenshaft peas.

I feel so much l better now.

Chris

Yes, I also used to look forward to watching GW and relax on a friday eve and pick up some useful tips and check whether I had got my gardening tasks up to speed etc. I applaude their desire to encourage people to have a go and grow something - no matter how small the garden or balcony etc. (and hopefully tempt even the decking and gravel brigade who do not have a stick of green in their gardens). However, I feel bemused at the "Playschool approach" of the current programme and feel disbelief at how the enjoyment and fulfillment of gardening is being turned into something gimmicy and even laughable (though not in a ha ha he he sense of the word)

I was a devotee for years, but gave up watching halfway through the last series. I found that it no longer related to me and many times no longer related to the real world.

Whereas I used to feel relaxed whilst watching, I am now much more relaxed with the TV off or on another channel as I feel no need to shout at the presenters

Exactly! Why waste valuable time swanning around in ridiculous garments when they could have used the time imparting real gardening information. I'm afraid I didn't learn anything useful after watching last night.

I don't know whether it was them or just the event but
watching the Malvern Show bits was also so predictable.
Where is the originality of these designers? For the last
few years they have been chruning out the same
thing which just seem to superimpose themselves at
each show. It is not even a case of whether you like
them or not, in fact it is the ones you don't that show
the greatest creativity. We are in a time warp of hard
landscaping, lighting and water features at ridiculous cost.
If it wasn't for the marquee with the real flower and plant
growers there wouldn't be any really beautiful creations.
At the cost of entry and extras at these shows you expect
more.

Westi

I don't know what kind of comments, or the volume of them which the BBC are receiving about the current series, but I would hazard a guess that the disapproval level by now must be enough to ensure that the next series contains either different presenters or a a new producer. This one just isn't cutting the mustard, is it? The ultimate test will be the viewing figures. Sadly if we all switch off, the BBC will use this as an excuse for not running another gardening programme on the basis that "there was no longer a demand for it."

Hi Primrose

While I agree with you it would be a case of cutting off
your nose to spite your face if they did, particularly in
light of the growing interest in gardening. (excuse the
pun ) I think it needs a revamp and prehaps get
viewer feedback rather than producers who think they
know what we like and want.
I wonder if they browse forums like this to get a feel -
maybe we should put a link on their website?

Westi

Just shows how dissatisfied everyone is when there are at least three threads on this forum criticising it!

See also http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6876&start=0

and
http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7040

Another thing is how often do we have to watch the team handing out free seeds. It's a good idea to do it but why do we have to watch them - no doubt we will be treated to watching them give seeds out at Chelsea too.

I have to agree. GW is a complete and utter waste of time and license payers money. The presenters (with perhaps the exeption of Carol Klien) are condescending and treating the viewers like idiots. They seem to be aiming for the yummy mummies who are starting to grow their own stuff cos it's fashionable to do so.

I got subjected to it cos I've been ill again and my youngest put it on for me whilst I was defencless in my bed, and couldn't be arsed to go and find where he's left the remote control. Think i'll keep it under my pillow from now on, especially after the surgery

The plain fact is you'd get more information of a packet of seeds than from this dumbed down excuse for a gardening programme.

The BBC are just a tool for the Government to enforce their social engineering on us poor suffering licence payers.

Bring back the likes of Percy, Arthur or Peter etc..

All the best

Barney

I thought this week was a touch better. Still giving out seeds when mine haven't arrived and no bad luck email either.

Used to watch but gave up 2 years ago. Not interested in what they present.

I thought Carol Klein's propagation spot was useful and Joe Swift's hanging "basket" was very artistic - pity they couldn't be bothered to tell us how he fastened it all together - not that I'll be having silver cones hanging up in my garden, but it wasn't quite as cringe-worthy a programme as the past few weeks have been.

They spent more time messing about at horror movie production than actually showing what they were doing to defend their crops - although it was a bit stating the obvious.

I'm also not sure why they split Carol's slot unless it was to ensure that viewers stayed tuned in.

To be honest it was all rather superficial they didn't really get into any detail of what they were doing e.g. as PP says Joe's basket - not my taste but more interesting than a couple of tomato plants and a sprig of basil!