# 5. UP-TO-DATE NEWS of WILDLIFE SHOWS on TV ~

I spotted this prog was on when I was browsing through the TV mag this morning. Have set up my video for the week! I do like Monty Don - my favourite Gardener's World presenter.

The first two shows seem to be all Monty Don. :o)

Aaarrrrgggghhhh. We don't get them over here!!! :o(

Mr Claptrap looks more like Mr Liquorice Allsorts ?

Bluespruce ~
Please see this same photo of
Mr Claptrap on my homepages which might explain ~
or might confuse you further. Lol. :o)

The first two shows seem to be all Monty Don, :o(

Gilli ~
I'll tape the shows, and maybe between myself and Gee19 we can tell you what is advised on each programme. :o)

Carol Klein on Friday .. Yay. :o)

Bertie Bassett then, I seem to be way out of step with what's going on.
Carol Klein - a real plants-woman, far superior to Monty.

Bluespruce ~
If you feel out of step, just read my Wellie blog ~
about 350 comments ~ and then you'll be totally up to date.
Carol Klein ~can't go wrong ~
She's great. :o)

Bluespruce ... Don,t ... you,ll be even more confused LOL

~Carol for PM!make more sense than Clarkson!

Arlene ~ plant guessing game going on under Mr. Claptrap's main photo :o)

Wales will probably be diferent. Everything revolves around rugby :o(
I don't know what people see in it :o(
It reminds me of school and being forced to stand around in the cold rain being bullied for being thin and weedy.
No wonder I like the garden - I was weedy. They grow in the garden. lol

Gardener's world on friday nights is at all times here. This week it was at 6.35 on Saturday. You never know where you stand because of these bullies rolling about in the mud. Well I hate rugby. I really do. :o(

That must be really annoying when the garden programmes in Wales differ from other regions. Very confusing. :o(

Well you see Wales isn't the same as the English regions so it's bound to be different .
The English regions also differ from each other I would think.

I had another look at the web site for you.
As far as I can tell it is only on Tuesday 2nd Dec, that the Welsh times vary.
It says 15.30 pm. Wales analogue only.

I hope that helps. :o)

Looks like Scotland has the same times as England but no programme at all on Wednesday 3rd Dec. :o(

Thanks for that TT as for Gee19, i've had a video for years, But this one i've had about 4yrs and still cannot do the timer on it.

Clarice, I know what you mean.
Some videos, like other machines and gadgets, seem to be unnecessarily complicated, with lots of buttons and functions that we never use. :o)
I'm looking forward to these shows. :o)
Haven't found the details of the second week of programmes yet. If anyone finds the internet site for them, please let me know, and I'll add them to my list at the top of this page.
Thanks. :o)

You should be able to get them on sky tv programes, mind you think they only go about a week in front with programes.

Hywel you a man from Wales and you hate rugby....unbelieveable.
My husband is a sports fanatic so I set up Setanta sports for him in the sitting room, while I watch what I want in the conservatory, plus my Mac is in the back room with me, perfect, we meet up to go to bed........

Wow ~
Good idea Dottydaisy2 ~
Amazing the information supplied by these blog comments:

The one I have running for BBC Wild About Your Garden, produced comments from Jacque and Gillb, revealing which celebrities they have kissed.

Excellent :o)

I don't have a VCR, - we have Virgin media instead of Sky, far better, as we have 'catch up' and 'on demand' services, far easier to work than most VCR timers, and you never have to miss out on any Gardeners World! as it stays on my TV for me to watch anytime i like for the rest of the week on 'catch up' and TV choice sometimes gives a whole series to watch at your leasure of Real gardens (for all you Monty fans) or other garden programes - personally my fave is 'the City Gardener' although i do like Monty and Carol too

Majeekahead sounds the most organised of all of us.
All those gardening shows at her finger tips.
Look out ~ we'll all be coming round to visit. Lol.

Please see near top of this page for details of Gardeners' World on Friday evening 5th Dec. 08. :o)

I will second that Majeekahead, we have the Virgin +Box, we keep all our old garden progs like Chelsea on the hard drive, and as you say really simple to operate, especially as my husband has no tech knowledge at all, I am the computer geek of the family. So I leave all the recording to him, although I do find rather a lot of only Fools and Horses, and Last of The Summer Wine, still he has to have some enjoyment out of life!!!

Wow. Dottydaisy2 ~
a very organised system for recording your garden shows !

Though it does seem that, just occasionally, Monty Don gets interrupted by Del Boy and Rodney's Reliant Regal, romping across the flower beds. :o)

lol I am on working on geeting the V+ DD2, i only have the basic system, but i find the on demand service a real God send, don't you? especially now we have all the sky channels back there really is no contest with Sky!

Your technical equipment sounds amazing !!!

I have just basic TV channels plus set-top-box to get free channels and I use a video tape machine.
Seems more than enough for me because these days I spend more time on GoY and less watching TV. :o) Lol.

I've just noticed that there is another new BBC series following on immediately after each Top Tips show.
It is called Nature's Top 40.
I've posted details near the top of my blog. :o)

I've just watched today's shows ~

Top Tips Monday lst Dec. ~
Monty Don and Carol Klein in springtime gardens.
Lots of useful information.
Bulbs and beautiful blossom. Perfect. :o)

Top 40 Monday lst Dec ~
Frogs, ants, foxes, garden birds etc.
Great for wildlife enthusiasts. :o)

~out in the garden~missed it! planted lots of tulips though!

Monty Don had tulips.
I'm sure I saw you in the background behind him.
Do you have another life ~
as a Gardeners' World "extra" ? :o)

~ that would be good~I will happily volunteer!

~ i opened a bag of compost and there was ice in the top of it!

Breaking the ice to reach the compost ???
That's true dedication !!!
Your December gardening sounds like a really rigorous regime of training for the GoY Winter Wellie Olympics :o)

~my bulbs have probably gone into deep shock!

Re Virgin box worth every penny, got a really good deal, if you are willing to negotiate with Virgin....as you say great for catch up, and watching all the old gardening shows Majeekhead.

I feel as if I live in the backwards. TV reception here is very bad and I can only receive the 3 original channels, weather permitting! No Freeview, no Sky either. I have a dish on my roof but its only used for the crows, etc. to perch on. My aerial is high enough to scrap the bottom of the planes that go over and still my picture is wobbly and goes from colour to B/W periodically. 'They' say things will be better when everything goes digital but it seems a long time coming :)

Wow, Gee ~
Didn't realise you were still living in the 1950's down there in Kent. No wonder your old fashioned baking is so good. Lol.

Amazing that you manage to get internet connection so well... or is that dependant on pigeon post ? :o)

Did anyone see Tuesday's shows?
Were they interesting ?
I was so worried about my car's MOT test I forgot to set the recorder. :o( Car passed though. Lol. :o)

Today (Wednesday) I enjoyed. Lots of plant advice, including Carol Klein, again, who can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. Visits to pretty gardens. Love the one on the slope with all the rockeries, aubrieta etc. Also the chap with a garden packed full of plants and ornaments. Happy people :o)

~tonights episode probably cost enough to buy a small bank or a few branches of Woollies!

I love it! soon as it opens you got this cute arrangement. Let me guess you are a store front window dresser?

This amazing arrangement was made with the help of my friend, MR CLAPTRAP - Liquorice Allsorts look-alike man. If you check out the same picture on my photos page it will make more sense.... well maybe. :o) Lol.

Arlene ~ did you intend that comment for my other blog ? I'll go see if you put it there as well.:o)

Meanwhile - woollies ?
Wear LOTS of those this week.
It's CHILLY !!!

Some things covered in the 2nd Top Tips. Monty made a raised bed from scaffold boards pegged down in the corners. He then showed us how to fill it. He talked about soil types - sandy, clay, and just right (bit like Goldilocks). We then moved to four raised beds in a square and he taught us all about crop rotation, demonstrating with boxes of vegetables which he moved again and again.........and again...........and again. By this time I was losing the will to live and really don't remember any more.

Wagger ~
Thanks for your thoughts on Tuesday's show.
Maybe 2pm is not the best time for sleepy gardeners to watch television in the winter.
Today I remember watching Rachel de Thame doing something with pots, and then I reckon I nodded off a little.
I think I recorded the show, so may be able to watch it again.
The wildlife programme afterwards ~ Top 40 ~ had some nice bits on butterflies. I remember waking up for that. Lol. :o)

Thanks Wagger, for info re 2nd top tips think I will give that one a miss..... sounds a bit Bob Flowerdew to me (do you think he made that name up?) sorry I was an Alan T fan, liked his sense of humour ...

Dottydaisy 2 ~
Interesting your comment on Bob Flowerdew.
I've always wondered if he made up that name. :o)

If anyone would like me to list the Top Tips shows for next week, please let me know, otherwise I won't be doing it.

I've had a private message asking about next week's shows, so tomorrow when I'm less tired I'll put the details on here.
I have it all hand-written and ready.

You are so organized TT, really enjoyed Gardeners World tonight, just love looking at other peoples gardens..and yes please list the Top Tips.

Thanks for your message Dottydaisy2.
I'll put the details on later today, by which time I hope to also have the Nature's Top 40 info. as well.

Yes, Gardeners' World was good, looking at those nice gardens and the very enthusiastic, energetic, talented owners!

Also I really enjoyed both TV shows yesterday afternoon ( Fri. 5th Dec). The first had Monty Don demonstrating different types of cool frame which you could construct from recycled wood, and even loose bricks. Then wonderful Carol Klein showing how to grow vegetables in various small containers.

The wildlife show followed, including fantastic footage of Ring Necked Parakeets and also close-up filming of a spider spinning its web, with interesting information on how they do this. Incredible ! :o)

As Toby Buckland is 'going back to basics' and is keen on recycling I wonder if he will resurrect Geoff Hamilton's carrycot cold frame! Now there was the master ! ! (In my view)

Now that sounds like great recycling !
Wagger ~ good thinking !
Yes, Geoff Hamilton was great, and have you noticed that his son, when interviewed on TV, sounds exactly like him.:o)

My newspaper doesn't have any details of the Nature's Top 40 programme content, so I've just listed the times. They are all half hour shows finishing at 3.00 pm.

Good morning, Terratoonie and thanks very much for the details of those programmes.

Good morning Wagger ~
Do you think the BBC will pay me commission ? ;o)
I hope you enjoy the programmes.

No... he didn,t make the name... Flowerdew ...up there are a lot of them in Norfolk ............

Yes, I just looked up Flowerdew on internet.
Seems very much a Norfolk name.
It dates back to 13th century French words of flor for flower and dieu for god.
What an education is GoY . Lol. :o)

I was about to tell you TT that he lives in the village of Dickleburgh not too far from us we have seen and spoken to him at different garden events , it seems that some of the Flowerdews made it to Colonial Virginia , and so the line continues through out the world ...........:0)

Nice to think of little Flowerdews blossoming globally. Lol. :o)

Thanks TT, you've put lots of effort into this for us all, many thanks

I'm glad you like it. :o)

It's wonderful. Think I'll print it off so I don't miss anything!

If you've not yet printed it, hold on till tomorrow because I found more details of the Nature's Top 40 shows, and I can add that on tomorrow morning. A bit tired to do it this evening. Will put a few more details of the animals, birds. etc. :o)

OK TT I'll wait until tomorrow, thanks for letting me know.

I have added some more details re. Nature's Top 40 shows.

If I get more information about the Tues - Fri. programmes, I'll add it on during the week, and put further messages here below to let everyone know. I hope this helps :o)

Thanks, much appreciated!

Really enjoyed today's programme - just wished we had smellivision for the Mottisfont Abbey piece.

Yes, Wagger. I agree.
Gilli would have loved those roses.
Lots of useful information from all the presenters, Monty Don, Rachel de Thame, Carol Klein.
I wonder if Carol has written a book about propagation ~ cuttings, seeds, etc. That would be a good Christmas present. :o)

~missed it again~ been to the vets and although we had an appointment it was standing room only and had to wait almost an hour~getting to be like the doctors!
Will go have a look on sky now!

I've just updated with the Nature's Top 40 topics for Tuesday 9th Dec. 08. :o)

Today's Top Tips was another good one.
Monty Don, and Carol Klein gave very good advice about growing vegetables. :o)

I've just added details at the top of my blog for Nature's Top 40, on BBC 2 TV tomorrow,
Wednesday 9th Dec. Episode 8.
Enjoy :o)

I have now included nearly all of the choices which were made for Nature's Top 40, counting from 40 downwards.

I'll add the last few later this week. :o)
I hope you enjoy the TV shows.

On the afternoon programmes today, the gardening was useful, with advice on planting such as Penstemon and Cosmos.
The nature show had wonderful flocks of geese in the Norfolk skies :o)

Today (11th Dec) Rachel de Thame and Joe Swift were both giving good advice about planting in pots. Rachel planted an acer and reminded that shelter and shade is preferable to sun and wind for that type of plant. She planted Heuchera and cyclamen around the base to complete the pot.
Joe was planting a lot of bulbs in one large container. He put crocks at the base, and reminded us that bulbs like good drainage. He had tulips lowest, then dwarf narcissi, and grape hyacinths at the top with some small iris bulbs. The plan was to have a succession of bulbs flowering throughout the spring.
Joe spread gravel on the top to suppress weeds.

Nature's Top 40 featured bird song. My budgie really appreciated the recording of the Nightingale singing.
Drifts of bluebells were also included today. Very pretty.:o)

I have just listed above, the final 8 for the Nature's Top 40.
Quite surprising choices in the Top 8.
A public vote would have probably come up with a different top 8, and probably a different top 40. Everyone has varying tastes. !

And today's program also included Captain Grenville talking about his garden in Bristol!

Thank you Andrewr for mentioning about Captain Grenville.
A friend phoned from hospital and I missed part of today's show. Grenville has just written a blog about his garden on BBC and he has also put a link.

Andrewr ~ thanks again.:o)

Thanks folks. It was a total surprise as were were not aware that the garden would be featured again.

Do you get a 'repeat' fee Grenville?

I felt quite excited to see a fellow GoYer on TV! I am a few days behind everyone else as I record the progs and then watch when I can. Lovely garden and beautiful plants Grenville.

Yes, Grenville and Alan have a super garden. :o)

I've put details above of the Gardeners' World Christmas special. Enjoy :o)

Thanks folks. Sadly no fees are paid but it's lovely to share the garden and raise money for charity

One question Grenville - you mentioned moving pots around when they are looking good. What do you with them once they are 'past their prime'? Is there a potting shed under the stumpery or is the spare bedroom full of compost?

Should we be asking Captain Grenville such questions ?
Mr Claptrap's face might turn pink with embarrassment.

I've just watched Gardeners' World Christmas Special ~

Many interesting items, including Carol Klein showing useful projects in her own garden ~ especially digging up a large clump of Crocosmia, and breaking this correctly, before replanting. Her enthusiasm for gardening is so infectious.

For 2009, I'm looking forward to the future programmes of Gardeners' World with Toby and Joe, and lots, lots more from Carol. :o)

Details have been added of a TV show on ITV 1.
6 PM. Sunday 28th Dec. 2008. Please see above.:o)

Hi TT, looking forward to the Wildlife programme on the 28th. Thanks for letting us all know. You're far better than the Radio Times!!

Hello Dawn ~
Nice to know the programme info. is useful.
I can't always be sure about the variations in the regions, e.g. Scotland and Wales, but at least it alerts members that the show is coming up soon. :o)

I'll look out for it! x

I'm so glad I kept all my old 'Gardeners World' videos when Geoff Hamilton was presenter, also have 'Great Plant Collections' presented by Roy Lancaster, and what about 'Garden Club', was shown on Channel 4, also presented by Roy Lancaster, Mathew Biggs, and the lovely Rebecca Pow, they used to travel round the country visiting peoples gardens is different towns....oh for some real gardening programmes today

Bluespruce ~
Sounds like you have quite a priceless collection of old videos. I've not even heard of some of the programmes and presenters you've mentioned.

Have you had a go at my Christmas crossword in
my blog # 8 ? That should be plain sailing for you. LOL.
Merry Christmas. :o)

A reminder of the programme this evening on ITV 1.

Sunday 28th Dec. 2008.

6.00pm ~ 7.30 pm

Help ! I'm No Bigger Than a Bug .

Naturalist Nigel Marven explores the wildlife in his own back garden.

Also now on GoY.
My New Year garden theme quiz.
It is in my Blog # 10.
I hope you enjoy this. I made it for GoY as something to relax with after all the festivities. :o)

Please let me know what you think of the puzzle.
Too hard ? Too easy ?
Took quite a while to devise, but I'll compile another quiz some time if you like this one.

I watched the Bug programme yesterday evening.
Aimed mostly at children, I guess.
The best part for me was the emergence of a Dragon Fly and its first flight around the garden. Superb close-up filming. :o)

Bluespruce do you remember Cyril Fletcher and his mate.......Amos cannot remember his christian name, was it from Birmingham ? I seem to remember it was on a Sunday, they spent most of the time in the Greenhouse all dressed in their Sunday best, was it Clacks Farm?

Hello Dottyd ~
I just googled Clacks Farm and it showed a BBC programme from 1977 with Arthur Billitt and Peter Seabrook. Does that stir any memories ? Are those names you recognise ?

The lovely little movie called "Paulie" is on BBC1 TV this morning.
The adventures of a Blue Crown Conure.

11.20 am ~ 12.45 pm.

Enjoy :o) TT x

I watched the Paulie movie. Had seen it previously, but still very good. Arlene also enjoyed it and I hope it made her feel a bit better, because her health hasn't been too good lately.
Get well soon Arlene. xxx

Yes tt is correct, Clacks Farm, can't remember what the programme was called, only ever saw bits of it, don't mind Peter Seabrook, but found Arthus Billit extremely boring.

Perhaps I should get all my Geoff Hamilton and Roy Lancaster tapes digitized and put them on You Tube ?

Those tapes can't be yours ?
Must surely be recordings you inherited from your grandparents. LOL
Could be worth a fortune.
Happy Gardening to you Bluespruce in 2009. :o)

I think Clacks Farm was where Gardeners' World was based after it left PercyThrower's garden at the Magnolias. He was sacked by the BBC for appearing in an advert on ITV - naughty,naughty. That ages me, doesn't it. I didn't watch it in those days but my mum did.

Naughty Percy Thrower . LOL.
How times have changed. :o)
Wagger ~ you are young in heart and young in mind.
I can tell that from your lovely comments on GoY. :o)

tt, I started taping Gardeners World around 1990 I guess, generally only if there was something on the programme I thought would be of particular interest.
Happy gardening in 2009, to you to tt :o)

Ah, Bluespruce ~
another youngster - that's what you are :o)
I bet you have some real 'gems' on tape from past Gardeners' World shows. Great !

Hi TT..... yes it does stir the old memory box, what ever happened to Peter Seabrook because I liked him, and Wagger I believe your right abut Clacks Farm, and I remember Percy Thrower we lived down that way many moons ago, I used to like Stephen Lacey (not sure of the spelling here) so many have disappeared from our screens due to natural or other causes.

Peter Seabrook is gardening editor for the sun newspaper~writes occasionally for Amateur Gardening and produces programmes for North America as well as writing books.

For wildlife fans ~ tonight ~ Friday 9 Jan. 09
Natural World. BBC 2. 8.00pm ~ 8.50 pm.

Examining the deceptive nature of the cuckoo.
David Attenborough narrates this documentary on the cuckoo.

The programme about cuckoos, mentioned in my previous comment is repeated tomorrow, Sunday 11th Jan.09, on BBC 2 ~ 5pm - 5.50 pm.

Wednesday 14th Jan 09 ~

11.00 am. - 11.30 am.

BBC 2 . Regions may vary.

Wildlife on Two.
Classic 1988 documentary about the robin.
Narrated by David Attenborough.

Also on Wednesday 14th Jan.09 ~

BBC 2 ~ 8.00 pm ~ 8.30 pm ~ Regions may vary.

It's Not Easy Being Green.
Dick Strawbridge tries to understand why honey bees are struggling at the moment. Lauren Laverne recycles and revamps antique furniture, and Alex James gets a surprise when taking the eco-test.

PLEASE NOTE ~
I have today replaced this blog with a new blog # 14 giving details of TV shows on themes of gardening and wildlife.

If you wish to be kept up to date with details throughout 2009, please leave a comment on that thread and then you will automatically see details of new shows. Thanks.