horticultural channel...show

[Plot103]

Anyone watch the second episode? I saw it this morning (recorded). Still undecided about it, but wondering why so much time was given to the campaign to move clocks forward by an hour.

Moving the clocks forward 1 hour would actually help a lot of people like me who work full time. That extra hour in the evening would help a lot with getting to the plot after work in the spring.

I enjoyed just having the programme available. It did seem a bit odd to have a cookery part to the programme but on the other hand, that's what you do with the veg that you've grown, isn't it? I'm sure they will work out a good format for it: it's early days yet, though.

I was pleased to see Claire on there, as well, as I've found watching her YouTube videos very helpful.

I don't think anyone's mentioned the 'short' that came after the end of the second show, 'Living on Allotments' which I thought was really good.

[taff]

I really enjoyed it, especially the interview bits, and the using up veggy bits, and the welsh bloke.
rough and ready but entertaining.

[crazii_c]

[QUOTE=Mr Potato Head;827044]I liked it, but was very disappointed to find that the whole "channel" thing was misleading. One 30 minute show a fortnight is not a channel.

QUOTE]

i thought this too. in the march 'grow your own' mag it said the channel would be airing round the clock gardening tips, so it shows we werent the only ones who were mislead

[seanjc]

Hi, Sean here from The Horticultural Channel. Many thanks for your comments about the shows.

In responce to some feedback above:
We are deliberately making the shows non-flashy, without quick camera work and without loud background music because this is what our research tells us gardeners wanted.

Channel:
Originally the 'channel' was going to be two hours long but the other programme pulled out just before we launched due to running costs of making the programme. We do see the time on screen expanding and within the next few years it could very well be around 6 hours of gardening programmes, new and repeats of popular series.

We were taken aback when feedback after the first show started calling for a weekly version. This involved doubling the budget and increasing the work force dramatically - all this involved finance. Once we are in a position to do this we will.

Grow Your Own Mag:
We have never been contacted by the magazine regarding our 'channel' so we were suprised to be told of their snippet report which got the facts wrong. It turns out they constructed this article based on discussions in forums rather than talking directly to us. We have spoke to the magazine to highlight their mistake and they have apologised.

Format:
I agree we maybe tried to squeak too much into the first show but wanted to give an overview of what strands where going to be in the series. The cooking section will really come into its own once we start harvesting crops and you see Jonathan showing what to do with the surplus harvest - strawberry vodka, sloe gin, jams, cakes, drinks. There will be no chickens in programme 3 but will return later in the series. Local shows will start appearing once the exhibitors season kicks off.

Freeview:
To get our programmes on freeview would cost around £100,000 which we don't have. That's why we worked with youtube so we could put the full 30minutes online. It's also on iTunes so can be downloaded to portable devices such as ipods, iphones, ipads; simply search for The Horticultural Channel.tv

A few supporters have said, it's early days. Like gardening - it takes time to grow and I hope you come on the journey with us. The alternative is no allotment based show on TV.

[Dane End Dolly]

Well said Sean, I will be sticking with it and I am sure quite a few of us will be as well. As you say, like gardening it takes time to grow. I do hope that that you are given the chance to grow and are able to obtain the finances, as you state, what is the alternative.......no allotment/vegetable growing based programme on the telly.

keep up the good work

Kxx

[taff]

yup to the non flashy camera work
thanks for the explanation too

[seanjc]

taff, shouldn't that read 'Royal Wootton Bassett' ;-)

[EmmaK]

I enjoyed the program, but was disappointed to see that it was a half hour program shown fortnightly - There are so many gardening programs out there, they could easily fill a channel with them, even if they are re-runs, some of them are even just about allotments such as The Big Dig & The Allotment.

[womble]

Well said Sean, I will be sticking with it and I am sure quite a few of us will be as well. As you say, like gardening it takes time to grow. I do hope that that you are given the chance to grow and are able to obtain the finances, as you state, what is the alternative.......no allotment/vegetable growing based programme on the telly.

keep up the good work

Kxx

Well said.

I'm sticking with it, although I have to say I enjoyed the first, caught most of the 2nd yesterday and found it a bit boring tbh.
I really don't understand the amount of time given to the clock change either, I presume someone at the show must have their own agenda.

But, I think it will get better, I hope it will, I like the down to earth approach, but could probably do without the singing thanks.

[Kristen]

I really don't understand the amount of time given to the clock change either, I presume someone at the show must have their own agenda.

They were asking people who felt the same way to write to their MP.

I'm keen for clocks to change so we have more evening daylight. But I hadn't really thought of the huge difference it would make having an extra hour in the garden at this time of the year. I work from home and stop at 5pm this time of the year to not fall behind with the garden, but Mrs K doesn't get home until its just dark, so another hour would make a difference for both of us, and I expect many other gardeners - rather than just to the long Summer evening BBQs - so I have written to my MP to voice my opinion.

[morverngirl]

Can we please have on Virgin TV, need something dedicated to us veg growers. Unfortunately GW not doing anything for me ,not interested in manufactured gardens old or new what a waste of Carol Klein.

[growerkari]

Just to echo the 'keep up the good work' message, and thanks for taking the time to reply on here Sean

I've really enjoyed both episodes and am eagerly awaiting the next, being on Youtube is great for me, as we dont have sky, I can watch it on my phone in the bath with a big glass of wine after a mucky day of digging=perfect!

[pauco]

Well said Sean, it's a good programme that will grow with time. I far one wil stick with it.
I like the down to earh no bullshit approach!

[bronwen]

I have watched the shows and will continue to do so as I am pleased it exists as there is so little to watch in the way of gardening shows. I had been watching Claire's Allotment on youtube and that is how I found out about the show. Thanks for your comments and interest on here Sean. I appreciate the efforts of you and your team to try and provide everyday gardeners with advice and interesting topics to think about (eg. allotment fees, time change). Keep up the good work!