Chelsea!

[Martin H]

I haven't been to Chelsea Flower Show for about 20 years, but I'm going on Wednesday with Mrs H!

Anyone else going this year, or even just watching the BBC coverage?

Any thoughts on "must see" bits of the show?

[WendyC]

Have a fab time. Went about 15 years ago. Off to Hampton Court for the second time in July.

[Alison]

Never been, watch it on the TV but far too far down south for me. Will probably go to Tatton in July which is brilliant (despite the somewhat patronising coverage when they look shocked anything can happen anywhere north of Watford!) and nice and local for me so minimal travel costs which means I can spend more on plants .

[Martin H]

Have a fab time. Went about 15 years ago. Off to Hampton Court for the second time in July.

I like the Hampton Court show: plenty of room, free car parking, can buy plants. But I won't be going this year, one flower show a year is enough.

[SarrissUK]

I'm going to Gardeners world live, because me and my daughter are foodies too and love the fact that we get BBC Good Food show for the same price (and it helps that James Martin is there lol).

I will visit Chelsea at some point in my life - it's on my 'bouquet' list haha

[Greenleaves]

Hope you and Mrs H have a great time Martin

[Martin H]

Never been, watch it on the TV but far too far down south for me. Will probably go to Tatton in July which is brilliant (despite the somewhat patronising coverage when they look shocked anything can happen anywhere north of Watford!) and nice and local for me so minimal travel costs which means I can spend more on plants .

I've never been to Tatton, too far north.



I have to grit my teeth watching TV coverage of Chelsea, indeed all the shows. They wheel out all the most irritating gardening presenters for the occasion. There's Joe Swift with his forced mateyness, the smug self-publicist James Wong, the hyperbolic Carol Klein to name but three. Then yesterday they completed the collection by interviewing the ridiculous Dairmuid Gavin. These people make Monty Don seem almost normal...

[Alison]

I've never been to Tatton, too far north.



I have to grit my teeth watching TV coverage of Chelsea, indeed all the shows. They wheel out all the most irritating gardening presenters for the occasion. There's Joe Swift with his forced mateyness, the smug self-publicist James Wong, the hyperbolic Carol Klein to name but three. Then yesterday they completed the collection by interviewing the ridiculous Dairmuid Gavin. These people make Monty Don seem almost normal...

Lol, actually it's good there is more spread of events nowadays although there are still some areas with nothing nearby.

Re the presenters, I can't abide Joe Swift although to pass the time I do play the guess his long it'll be until he actually mentions a plant, it can be 3/4 of he way through his piece. Not fussed either way about James Wong but really like Carol and Monty (had forgotten how dull Toby is though). Mind you, despite the annoyances, it still beats both Rearenders and Britain Probably Hasn't Got a Talent

[SarrissUK]

haha Martin, I love'em all apart from Carol Klein... however knowledgeable she is, she annoys the hell outta me lol

[Scarlet]

haha Martin, I love'em all apart from Carol Klein... however knowledgeable she is, she annoys the hell outta me lol

I can't stand any of them except Carol Klein she knows her stuff.

[Greenleaves]

I like Carol, next to Jim McColl she is my favourite presenter

[rary]

Enjoy you visit Martin, my wife booked us onto a trip to Chelsea as a surprise birthday present (I usually guessed what she had for me, but not this) but never got there I landed in hospital the day before the trip, I have been at Hampton Court, which I enjoyed though I had been at the Southampton Flower Show the day before, and that was very good. I record all the flower shows on tv then you can fast forward without listening to all the .... that you get from some presenters. As for actually going to these shows, not now, they are all far too expensive, I can purchase most of the plants from garden centers, without paying the extortionate entry prices.

[Containergardener]

Anyone other than Monty borrrrrrrrrring don for me

Enjoy your day Martin , too far sarf for me
Used to go to Tatton park as a child , took my gran . Never been to show though. Does that count ?

[SaraJH]

What was Monty Don wearing, bless him he had the same suit on for 'this evening' that he did at 6am this morning.
I love all the Chelsea coverage, I record it all and for Chelsea week it's all I watch.
I went over 10 years ago and hated it lol, far too many people to really enjoy it. That said I would go again, but not on a Saturday!
I was really disappointed with some of the show gardens this year, they looked so scruffy. But each to their own.
My choice for a gold and best in show goes to Cleeve West.

[SaraJH]

Sorry Martin, I went on a bit of a rant there....
It's a fabulous show and going during the week is a great idea, you'll have a great day out without the awful crowds of the weekend.
Enjoy it!