The Edible Garden...Alys Fowler.

[ginger ninger]

"The Edible Garden", presented by Alys Fowler off "Gardeners World"

I've just seen this advertised after Gardeners world tonight. Its on BBC2 on Wednesday at 8.00, it's set in her own garden. This week its Peas & Beans.

What it say's about this weeks program.

"Alys Fowler attempts to avoid shop-bought fruit and vegetables and live off her own, home-grown produce. It's no easy task because Alys doesn't want to turn her garden into an allotment, so she's growing her fruit and vegetables among her flowers.
Alys will focus on different foods and show how anyone can grow, cook and eat from their own garden - even if they live in a city.
Peas and beans are prolific vegetables but they also look beautiful in the borders. Alys makes delicious broad bean falafels, pea shoot cocktails and forages for willow to make plant supports. And she has two new additions to the family - her chickens!"

[Alison]

Looks like it could be pretty good, has been discussed here - http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...den_45871.html

[ginger ninger]

I've right taken to Alys, I think she's really nice.

[binley100]

I'll certainly give it a go. Got too be better than GW .

[Patchninja]

I'm looking forward to that. I saw a bit of GW last night and thought for a minute that I'd pressed the channel for CBEEBIES by mistake!

[ecoprincess]

Does anyone know if they're planning on doing another series of this at all?

[stella]

I watched GW on Friday and was amazed at the level it has sunk to there was nothing in the programme at all worth watching, what has happened to it????

[Croila]

I watched GW on Friday and was amazed at the level it has sunk to there was nothing in the programme at all worth watching, what has happened to it????

I've only watched it a few times, only since June as that's when I got interested in gardening. I don't like it much as I find the presenters rather patronising, and unless I saw in advance that there was a specific topic I was interested in, I can't see me bothering to watch it again.

The Edible Garden, though, oh I loved that! Wish it was on DVD, I'd buy it like a shot. I've got the book and have used it a lot. I want her garden!!

[Croila]

I've right taken to Alys, I think she's really nice.

I totally agree. My husband can't bear her though ... In her Edible Garden, he was so glad her tomatoes died of blight, just because he finds her so irritating. That's so mean! I like her though. I think she's very down-to-earth.

[chris]

I totally agree. My husband can't bear her though ... In her Edible Garden, he was so glad her tomatoes died of blight, just because he finds her so irritating. That's so mean! I like her though. I think she's very down-to-earth.

lol

I can see what he means, but i quite enjoyed it. The book has some nice stuff in (i.e. what to do with the food ) I often think about her garden, as I'd love to mingle some veg in with my other plants/flowers I've just bought for next season

[Croila]

lol

I can see what he means, but i quite enjoyed it. The book has some nice stuff in (i.e. what to do with the food ) I often think about her garden, as I'd love to mingle some veg in with my other plants/flowers I've just bought for next season

Oh I would soooo love her garden! In my back garden I'd just love to rip up all the grass and plant it out like she has, but I've got shady bits which would be a problem, plus him indoors won't let me. Oh, and I only possess about a hundredth of the gardening knowledge she has, so maybe I better just stick with what I've got ..!

I suppose I've picked up the hodge-podge style from her though ... There's something about rows of veg I just don't like the look of. I like the random mixed up look and can't see myself ever planting anything in rows other than tatties ...

[lettucegrow!]

My gardens getting the Alice way with a few seating areas. I only have two small bits of grass left, I hate mowing- too much like hoovering!! I love the mix it all together aproach,I think it looks lovely and it's always nice to see something edible amongst the flowers.Isn't it supposed to keep the bugs at bay as they home in on straight lines and with the more pottager style they can't find the vegs?

[Snadger]

............I suppose I've picked up the hodge-podge style from her though ... There's something about rows of veg I just don't like the look of. I like the random mixed up look and can't see myself ever planting anything in rows other than tatties ...

I have a background in engineering, straight lines and right angles. Trigonometry/ Geometry with techmical drawing were my favourite subjects at school.
I found it very hard to adjust and set about creating randomness.Now I find it enthralling and a much more 'natural' approach to gardening and to nature. There are no straight lines in nature.
What I will say is that she isn't doing anything new though. The late Geoff Hamilton discovered and used randomness, in a middle class sort of way.
Latterly Bob Flowerdew also has a similar way of evolved gardening and is I feel still evolving his gardening techniques.........bit like myself really!

[Gearoid]

I watched GW on Friday and was amazed at the level it has sunk to there was nothing in the programme at all worth watching, what has happened to it????

It's depressing to watch now. I prefer to watch Beechgrove Garden. That's the Scottish BBC gardening programme which is available on iPlayer. Much, much better. Lots of proper gardening and growing trials etc. None of yer lifestyley walking around stately homes nonsense.

[Croila]

It's depressing to watch now. I prefer to watch Beechgrove Garden. That's the Scottish BBC gardening programme which is available on iPlayer. Much, much better. Lots of proper gardening and growing trials etc. None of yer lifestyley walking around stately homes nonsense.

The Beechgrove Garden was always a total joke when we were in school ... It epitomised adult boring "oldness" - you'd say "oh aye, bet he watches the Beechgrove Garden" if you REALLY wanted to insult someone! But now I like it, even if I do have a giggle to myself at how I am obviously now the boring old f@rt that always used to horrify me as a kid

I MUCH prefer it to GW - it just seems to have more substance?