The Beechgrove Garden

[DannyK]

Since the loss of Geoff Hamilton, the tv gardening has been less of a must see for me....

Don't forget Geoffrey Smith.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Because of its location and the lack of parking available, I don't think Beechgrove could host an open day as such. It's also remarkably compact so not that much room for folks to be able to wander about. I was lucky enough to enjoy a visit as part of a outing with the Scottish Branch of the National Vegetable Society a few years ago. Jim McColl gave us the tour himself which was good.

[rary]

I wish I understood what I was missing. I'm really sorry, but I tried it on recommendations from on here and was really disappointed. The filming seemed poor, the presenters awkward

Each to their own, but must say that I find Chris Beardshaw one of the best gardening presenters on television

[rary]

I have watched Gardening on tv since the days of black and white and only 2 channels to choose from

I knew about black and white tv but only two channels to pick from, that must have been a long time ago you must be older than I thought
As for Geoff Hamilton, I would recommend the garden that he set up at Barnsdale, when I visited that garden it was being maintained as he made it, and it was the most peaceful garden I have ever visited,whither it is still set up the same way I couldn't say

[Martin H]

Each to their own, but must say that I find Chris Beardshaw one of the best gardening presenters on television

I too like Chris Beardshaw. He's more into the decorative stuff than productive growing, obviously. He knows how to "play the game" with his show gardens to win medals and stuff, but he also has a great knowledge of plants and an understanding both of how to grow them well and how to arrange them in three dimensions. And he doesn't irritate me the way all the regular GW presenters do with their over-the-top use of superlatives. Beechgrove is all the better for having Chris on board.

[Eric44]

I like both programmes and have them both set on "record". I like Monty Don, I think he's down to earth and explains things well. I'm not keen on the amount of time they spend showing us arty farty gardens, although I do understand that many people do like that sort of thing.
I've watched the Beechgrove Garden for a few years now and often try some of their recommendations. Never been disappointed. Cucumber Delistar and Dahlia Evaline spring to mind.
Back in the late '70's or early '80's we had our own programme down here in South Wales called Get Gardening. I really enjoyed that, it was full of practical stuff, home gardening, not dwelling on parks and posh places. Still, each to their own.

[noviceveggrower]

I prefer Beechgrove Garden to Gardeners World. To me Beechgrove is for everyday people with ordinary gardens and for people who also like grow vegetables. They offer good and practical advice. Also good presenters.
Gardeners World seems to have a no limit budget with instant results. Gardeners World was never the same after Geoff Hamilton.

[rary]

Like Nvg I prefer beechgrove, and also like Monty Don as he doesn't put on any airs and graces, I actually put him on par with Geoff Hamilton, different style of presenting but down to earth with his presentation

[Thelma Sanders]

Beechgrove for me as I'm not keen on Monty, his advice isn't always reliable IMO and he does like to recommend very expensive plants, we aren't all made of money, after all.
I do quite like the way somebody digs his veg beds so he can come along and plant things in them, I wish I could follow that method lol.

Geoff Hamilton was most in touch with ordinary people, both garden and allotment, the best TV gardener - still sadly missed.

[annie8]

I watch both. Beechgrove is much closer to where I am so their issues and challenges in growing things are more similar to me than GW. I do have a wee soft spot for Monty though and find I get good ideas about developing the garden from GW.

[rary]

Beechgrove for me as I'm not keen on Monty, his advice isn't always reliable IMO and he does like to recommend very expensive plants, we aren't all made of money, after all.
I do quite like the way somebody digs his veg beds so he can come along and plant things in them, I wish I could follow that method lol.

Geoff Hamilton was most in touch with ordinary people, both garden and allotment, the best TV gardener - still sadly missed.

yes I know what you mean about expensive plants, I will be in GCs twice sometime three times a week but never buy plants in them as they are far to expensive, as for presenters digging the garden Beechgrove presenters at times involve their team of gardeners in the program Carol Baxter started off as a backroom gardener in the original Beechgrove, as for the gardening advice both BG. and GW give advice but any advice that is given it is always subject to your own weather conditions, so I just take it as a guide

[Thelma Sanders]

as for presenters digging the garden Beechgrove presenters at times involve their team of gardeners in the program Carol Baxter started off as a backroom gardener in the original Beechgrove

Fair enough, but you are aware of them working in the background at BG and often mentioned - you never hear Monty mentioning his, IMO the show gives the impression that he does it all himself.

[Eric44]

Monty actually has only two people working for him - a retired salesman who wanted a change of direction and a young chap learning the ropes before going to college.

[Thelma Sanders]

I doesn't matter to me who they are, only the fact that they're employees .

He said in an interview "I have a couple of guys who work in the garden. Wherever I am I text or call them to discuss what’s to be done, then I see them before recording. So a lot of gardening goes on by remote control." but as far as I've seen, he has never mentioned them on the programme.
Might it spoil the image, to tell people that someone else does some of the hard graft there?

Cynical? Moi? - Never!

[rary]

Was watching the BG and GW this morning and Beechgrove seems more relaxed, though I did like the bit in GW. about savings seeds, as from now on I will not be buying F1 seeds