Blog #14. TV SHOWS OF INTEREST TO GARDENERS

That sounds a very interesting programme, TT - I've just read the write-up in the TV paper. Unfortunately I can't get BB4 but sometimes they are repeated later on the normal channels. Love the picture of Truffle - hope I don't get bumble bees as big as that in my garden! :)

Thanks for letting us know TT.

Hi Clarice ~ I'll keep you informed.
If you think I've missed a programme, please add to this thread, so everyone can watch. Thanks.

A pity you can't get BBC4, Gee, but as you say, these shows are often repeated. I'll list repeat times here, too, if I spot them.

Truffle himself is currently like a big bumble bee, buzzing about all over the place. Lol.

Thank you TT.

Thanks TT - just putting my name down you see :-)

i saw this advertised but thanks for reminding me! looks interesting.

Thanks for the info. TT

Aww Truffle loves his bumble bee , he is such a cutie :o)

Beautiful little dog. and thanks for the info.

Truffle will keep you all informed of as many shows as we can find. :o)

Super little Truffle........that's interesting TT...would love to see Sissinghurst..but it's the same time as Larkrise and I have to see that! I wonder if it's repeated.....shall have to check!

I'm going to watch Sissinghurst and record Larkrise on an old TV. Lol.

Hi T.T,
Hope all is well.
We are looking forward to watching both programmes about Sissinghurst this evening on B.B.C 4.

We have visited Sissinghurst on many occasions, and we love the garden 'rooms' that combine to make it such an unique place.
Truffle is having a lovely time from your photo!
Love from us both xx

Hi Grenville & Alan ~
Yes, you're right. One programme is immediately after the other.
8pm ~ 8.30 pm and 8.30 pm ~ 9 pm.
The garden 'rooms' sound good !
Truffle is fitting in well thanks.
Conker is being very good in accepting him.
love from TT xxx

Thanks TT..darent watch too much TV..what with GoY,photography and working in the garden...no time left ! Lol

We have just watched the two programmes about Sissinghurst.

It is fascinating to see how tensions can develop when trying to maintain the garden as a prominent National Trust visitor attraction, and also attempt to keep the historic
'soul and character' of the entire site, and the work of Vita Sackville - West and Harold Nicholson the original creators.

I felt that more could have been done on the programme to consult the views of the paying public with regards to the proposals for major changes and improvements, as the visitors now help to preserve and maintain the house and the gardens when they pay their admission fees.

It must also be very difficult for those who still own and live in historic properties and gardens and they have to open their doors to the public in order to ensure they remain viable for the future.

I can't get 4 either. Maybe it will be repeated on another chanel. Thanks for taking the trouble to give all the info TT.

I m getting confused here tuned into Larkrise expecting a progamme on birds and wildlife ..thought what the Dickens is this ? Or was that someone else ? lol

BB ~
Maybe your silver spider has been rewiring your TV ? Lol.

The BBC4 programmes are often repeated so I guess those wishing to see the Sissinghurst series will get other opportunities.

Hello Hywel ~ What a pity you also can't get BBC4.

I'm happy to highlight the gardening/wildlife shows for everyone. But it's easy to miss adverts for forthcoming programmes, so I hope other members will mention here any future shows I've not noticed ! Thanks.

Grenville ~ Yes, I agree, it would have been interesting to hear views from the paying public. Maybe that information will materialise in later shows on the series. It must be wonderful to live in a large stately home with beautiful gardens, but also a great responsibility.

BBC4 has another interesting show coming up on Thursday 26th Feb. 09. Please see blog text above.

Just watched the sissinghurst programme, enjoyed it very much, i must admit though got a bit annoyed with Adams wife!! the paying public were obviously very happy with the restaurant and she wanted to change so much about it, why change what works so well it brings in £50,000 a year!!!
The gardens are lovely wish they'd shown a bit more of them, what a fascinating family to come from extraordinary woman Vita wasn't she? Am going to do a bit of surfing to find out more thanks TT for the reminder

Hi Sewingkilla ~
If you find out anything particularly interesting, please report back here, or if you make a blog from your research, please put a mention of it here. Thanks.

Yes, there is that saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it" ~
I wonder how much of that applied to the catering. Lol.

News of 2009 Gardeners' World shows given above. :o)

Thanks TT. I'm looking forward to Gardener's world, esp the one on small spaces.
I'll have to make sure I have the correct times. In Wales they tend to postpone things to show rugby matches instead. They then put them at such stupid times like 4. 20 on a tuesday afternoon and daft times like that. I'll have to check.
Hope truffle is misbehaving well. :o)

Hello Hywel ~
Yes, I realise it's annoying for you that the BBC shows in Wales are often shown at different times to other parts of the UK.
I hope they're on at a time when you can watch them.
I gather the small spaces gardening includes climbers.

Yes, Truffle is keeping me totally cream-crackered. :o)

I tend to record them TT, but I'll have to check I have the correct times.
I like climbers. I hope to have more this yr. I boughr 2 clematis and a Passion flower this week in Wyevale Carmarthen - any 3 climbers for £8. - I also have 5 clematis in pots from the old garden to plant now and also 3 I bought last autumn. lol

Yes, I also like climbers. My photos prove that fact. Lol.
Three climbers for £8 is very good !

I have passion flower seedlings growing all over my house. Lol. Trouble is, all grown from a fruit given by a friend, so I've no real idea what I'm growing. Lol. Some are heading up towards the ceiling. :o)

The one I bought is called Amethist Lavender Lady. I have an ordinary one I bought last year. It will be interesting to see how your seedlings turn out. Do you think they'll flower this year ?

Now I know why I didn't comment at the time - it was posted on my birthday ;)

I'll have to see whether the Sissinghurst programmes are being shown on BBC i-player.

Belated happy birthday, Madmum.
These BBC4 shows are generally repeated quite often.

Any new paintings to show us ? :o)

Don't encourage me!!!!!!! ;o)

Thanks for that TT,I like to record all the gardening programmes so that I can watch them again and again.

Love seeing Truffle enjoying the bee toy....

Hello Tina2 ~
Truffle is being a real handful today. Buzzing everywhere :o)
Hence my short comments on GoY Lol.

I'll put any news on this thread about TV garden shows, such as Gardeners' World.
It will be interesting to see the new location they use instead of Berryfields.

Thanksssssssss TT I was wondering when gardeners World was coming back.........I love the programme...

Hello, Holly ~
Yes. Good that Gardeners' World is back soon, and nice that even before that, they have the three special programmes. :o)

Wasn't Fourseasons garden going to be on Gardener's World at Christmas? Did I miss it?

No, Sid. You didn't miss it.
As far as I recall their projects are proving so interesting that they could end up with a much longer slot later this year.
Who knows ~ maybe even a whole show devoted entirely to Four Seasons. :o)

Hi all! I tell you what, I'm really hoping that BBC do another series of Wildlife gardening. I loved watching the 6 programmes and miss not having it to watch on sunday afternoons! Sob!!!

Did anyone else see those programmes and do they have any comments about it? My only gripe is that they appear to have spent thousands on the 6 gardens they did. That is totally unrealistic for most of us, and just made my jaw drop on all the plants that were bought etc. The other thing is, not much time was spent on plants or wildlife. I would like to have seen which plants attracted which wildlife for instance and learning a bit more about that. Instead, I felt I was watching one of those stressful "makeover" programmes, where you sit in agony, thinking, will they or won't they get it all done in time!

Hello Craftnutter ~
When those Wildlife gardening shows were first on TV they were mentioned on my blog #4. A lot of comments under that thread agree with yours above. :o)

Ooops,tut, sorry, need to go and have a "lookie!!"

Errmmm, sorry, how do I find it? Eeeek, sorry to be such a newbie!!! :-(

Duuuuurrrrr! Found it, sorry to be such an idiot, I now realise everyone knows about the wildlife stuff, I feel sooooo silly now!!! :-(

Don't worry Craftynutter - we were all new here once and it does take a while to get to know your way around :-) Welcome to GoY!

Carol Klein and plantaholics together? Wow! This does it for me, lol! Many Thanks again, Tt! - X

Hello Craftnutter ~
I'm pleased that Sid answered your comments ~
Don't feel silly ~ GoY can be confusing at first. Lol.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner ~
I confess putting my pets to bed at 8.30 pm ~
and then me, too..........
Puppy had totally exhausted us all. Lol.

David ~ Yes, Carol Klein is wonderful isn't she ~
I'll be recording those Gardeners' World specials, so I can replay them. :o) x

A reminder that the Sissinghurst series continues tomorrow, Sunday 1st March,09, on BBC 4. 8.00pm - 9.00pm.
Includes report on the large rabbit population on the estate.

On BBC3 same evening 7.40 pm - 9.00 pm ~
Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

This has a gardening/rabbit theme, so rather amusing that it clashes with Sissinghurst on BBC4.

The Wallace and Gromit evening is repeated on BBC3 on Wednesday 4th March.09. As yet, I've found no repeats of the Sissinghurst shows.

Another show of interest ~
Friday 6th March 09. 8.00pm - 8.50 pm BBC2.
Natural World ~ documentary showing the wildlife which thrived when the Iron Curtain resulted in a demilitarised no-man's land dividing East from West, from Baltic to Adriatic ~ bears, eagles, cranes, lynx, meadow flowers and butterflies...... and the fat-belled bush cricket !

Sorry, I meant to say a huge "Hi Truffle", above. You are truly scrumptious, hehe!

We love Wallace and Gromit and, yes, there are many gorgeous veggies in this one! I have just one wee problem - I don't have a TV! Haven't watched much in years, always too busy, and the children haven't even noticed yet! We're too busy with seed-sowing, garden construction, etc. But will get one, just to see some of these fab programmes you so kindly inform us of (but especially the Carol Klein ones !) - :-) X

hi David
there is a Wall and Grom exhibition at the Science Museum from Sat 28th March to 1st November 2009

Central unit: the making of Wallace and Gromit, The Curse of the Were-rabbit

The exhibition features Aardman Animations and the exhibitions central unit tells the story of the making of the Wallace and Gromit feature film - Wallace and Gromit, The Curse of the Were-rabbit. The story is told through a mix of text and graphics, models and sets from the feature and six short behind the scenes documentaries.

* What's the big idea
* Creating new worlds
* Setting the scene
* Bring drawings to life (making plasticene bunnies)
* Sounds like fun
* Bringing it all together

Pods - other animators explain their approach

Around the sides of the central units are six pods where the other animators explain their approach providing a rich variation to the exhibition.
Real sets

The main part of the exhibition is richly augmented by actual sets from the movie, depicting popular scenes and an opportunity to see the amazing detail that is put into each model and set. There are five main sets:

* Wallace and Gromit basement set with models
* Tottingham Hall entrance hallway set with models
* Mulche's garden set with models
* Vicarage set with models - this is also an interactive called 'adding atmosphere' and therefore contains small lights for visitors to change the lighting within the case, plus the necessary control buttons.
* Carousel Set - there are two additional sets with 3D viewers for visitors to look through, giving perspective and depth to some behind the scenes images

Interactives

Having seen how the professionals do it, the visitor is then provided with opportunities to try it for themselves through a range of interactives.
1. Colouring Characters (A)

The visitor can chose from four characters provided by D7 Studios. Using a touch screen on a 17 inch screen they can then use the paint tool box to colour each element of the character. This sophisticated interactive allows the visitors to mix colours by using RGB colour sliders to see the colour effects as used by professionals.
2. Colouring Characters (B)

This is a simpler version of the interactive above with wonderful outlines by Richard Vaucher to colour fill by touch the colour and paint box tools.
3. Adding Sound Effects

The visitor is shown a video clip from the movie 'The Curse of the Wererabbit'. It is a fabulous clip of Gromit in the kitchen and discovering some bunnies hiding in the bread bin. The challenge is to supply sound effects for the clip in real time, pushing buttons in sync with the action. If the visitor wishes, they can finish the activity by playing back the movie clip, first with the new sound track, then with the original.
4. Getting Animated

Many of us remember the character Morph who accompanied Tony Hart on the wonderful children's art programme. In this interactive Morph is lays down a black mat that turns into a hole, which he dives into and disappears. The visitor drags a series of images onto a time line attempting to put them in the correct order to make a smooth animated sequence. If they get it right they are rewarded with the animated clip and a round of applause . This is much harder than it looks!!
5. Adding Titles

This interactive allows you to add titles in an animated way, using letters, to title a film or credit the makers. It also gives the experience of using a rostrum camera and the different affect it creates from the horizontal camera interactive in Making a Mini Movie.
6. Making a Mini Movie

A camera is housed in a protective casing at one end of bench, a panel with 6 printed interchangeable backdrops on scratch proof laminate at the other end. The user has a number of small model characters, in a box to one side, which they can move around to make a short animation. A series of five push button controls on the camera casing lets them take a still image and then play back their finished clip.
7. Creating Characters

In the final section the visitor can stop try a very different skill. The visitor takes a sheet of paper and a pencil and takes a seat at a drawing board in the animation studio. On the projected screen, a professional animator from Aardman Animations shows the visitor how Wallace and Gromit are drawn through drawing simple shapes and gradually building up detail. The visitor follows the professional's instructions creating their own drawing to take away with them.

thanks for the Gardeners World notification TT~hope you don't mind the info on Aardman~sounds well worth going to for those with children who like Wall and Grom!~
ps nice pic of Truffle!

Hi David ~ I watch very little TV but, as you say, it's worth it for the good shows such as ANYTHING with Carol Klein. Lol.

Thanks, Arlene, for further info. on Wallace and Gromit and their vegetable adventures.

We must protect our carrots and marrows.....
and Conkers.... and Truffles. :o)

A previous presenter of Gardeners' World ~ Nigel Colborn ~
is the new gardening writer for Daily Mail on Saturdays.

I like his style of writing. He ends with a "top ten" snippets of advice and comments. Here are three ~

~ Everyone makes mistakes, but no on gets arrested for killing their own plants ~

~ Heed the experts, but don't take them too seriously ~

~ Every garden is unique. Get to know which plants will do best in yours ~

I'm looking forward to reading more by Nigel. :o)

Don't be fooled by the title !!!

New TV series starting this evening ~
Monday 2nd March.09 ~

BBC 2 8.30 pm ~ 9.00 pm.
~ Grow Your Own Drugs ~

James Wong demonstrates how to transform familiar plants into simple natural remedies that could ease the symptoms of minor ailments, starting with a range of fruit.

That sounds interesting TT.
If it wasn't for your reminders I would have missed this. I hardly ever watch the tv and never bother to look up what's on. So thanks for your trouble :o)
Hope Conker and Truffle are ok. - Oh Crocus too, and mustn't forget you aswell TT :o)

Hello Hywel ~
I'm pleased the reminders are helpful.
I don't watch much TV ~ just the occasional good show.

Do you have your fuchsias wrapped up ?
More cold weather on the way !

All well here, thank you.
Those whose names begin with "C" are the least trouble. Lol.

I put my fuchsias outside on Saturday TT, and now we're having frost. lol. I have them in those plastic propagator things so a bit of ground frost won't harm them, but they need light now. I think quite a few have died in that arctic winter we've just had.
Glad to hear the "C"s at least are behaving :o)

My 2 poor fuschia's have died this winter. I forgot to put any protection on them, d'oh! I won't bother replacing them, as I'm putting 2 pots with summer flowering jasmine's in their place instead. But if I'd joined this group earlier, maybe I would have been reminded to do it!
I've made a new notebook and have started to write down all the jobs I'm doing each month, so will have a record of what to do in future years!

I watched that programme last night. It was interesting, especially when he was talking about sleeping remedies.
I have insomnia often and I use lavender essential oil. It was interesting to see him putting lavender and hops together. Looking forward to next week's episode. Thanks for this information TT. I probably wouldn't have watched it otherwise.

Yes, Hywel ~
I also enjoyed the show. The presenter is very knowledgeable and well-trained.
Interesting ~ growing hops in the garden !

I wonder what he'll be prescribing next week. :o)

It was an interesting show, TT. Nice to have something a bit different on. Wonder if he has or will bring a book out? 'Cos the biggest problem is remembering what he said!! :)

Good comment, Pottygardener ~

I just found this on internet ~

"Grow Your Own Drugs" by James Wong is published by Collins on March 2 to tie in with the six-part series of the same name on BBC Two, which starts on March 2 at 8.30pm.

The Telegraph describes James Wong as a 27 year old ethnobotanist :o)

Thanks TT, will have to look out for it.

Please let us know if you find it....
and if you buy it...
might be expensive....

I've come to this blog late, having been on holiday for the second half of February.
Vita Sackville (of Sissinghurst) came from a very priveledged background - she was the only child of the second Lord Sackville and grew up at Knole, the largest private house in the country. Because she was a girl, she couldn't inherit and the house passed to a cousin after her father died. Her husband, Harold Nicholson, designed the layout of Sissinghurst (she designed the planting) was also a member of the aristocracy. He mainly worked in Diplomatic jobs but was also an MP for a time. Theirs was a rather unconventional marriage as they spent a lot of time apart (due to his work) but wrote to each other on an almost daily basis. But it was also a marriage of convenience as they both had rather 'varied' sexual tastes (hope this hasn't offended anyone - I'm just trying to put their lives in context)

Thanks for your comments, Andrewr.
On this thread I'm mentioning any garden-related shows I see in the TV books, but I hope other members will add any I miss. Thanks.

The 'lifestyle' of Vita and Harold is mentioned quite a lot on the TV series. Last week's shows included trying to grow fresh produce on site for use in the Sissinghurst catering.

Just started on BBC2.
First of a three part series.
8pm - 9pm ~
Jimmy Doherty in Darwin's Garden.

REMINDER ~
Friday 13th March. 2009 ~
Gardeners' World Special ~
8pm - 9 pm. BBC 2.

CAROL KLEIN meets the plant addicts, including plant-hunter, Roy Lancaster.

Another interesting episode tonight, especially liked to hear him talking about lavender. I use a lot of lavender essential oil in a burner and in the bath. It's good aswell to help sleep if you put a few drops on to a kitchen roll and place it in the bed a while before you go. Very interesting series. I'm looking forward to next week now.

I agree, Hywel.
James Wong seems to have lots of experience in growing and preparing all his potions.

And good reports from people trying out his recipes on themselves, such as those suffering from eczema and acne. Delighted with the help he gave them.

I believe a lot in natural remedies. They do help.

James Wong's book is available this month, priced around £16.99, depending on supplier.

It should be interesting. I think I'll get one.

What did I tell you ??
Yes we have NO gardener's world in Wales again this week !!!
What do we have instead ??
TWO HOURS of rugby :O(((((((((

I mean, if they'd postponed it for a good game of soccer I wouldn't say so much, but rugby ? !!!

I don't know when it will be on now. We have to endure this all the time.
It's all right if you like rugby but NOT if you LOATH it like I do.
AARRRGGGGG!!!!!!!

Oh, Hywel. That's disappointing. :o(((((((

Gardeners' World should be available for Welsh viewers, just as it is in England. Does the TV book not tell you when it will be screened in your area ?

No the tv guides never say when we'll get postponed progs. They just say what's on instead.
We may get it at 20 past 6 on a Tuesday, or 10 past 4 on a Saturday - just stupid times you can't keep up with. You can never tell. It wouldn't be any use complaining - they wouldn't take any notice.
We'll get it sometime I suppose but it's annoying.

I've just looked on the internet for you re. when the show might be on in Wales, but could find no mention of it. :o(
I tried............

I used lavender oil when i was pregnant to help me sleep one drop in the bath and a couple of drops on my pillow, sweet dreams....my mother uses comfrey oil on her arthritic knee, swears by it!

Does you mother get the comfrey oil from the Health Food shop ? Lavender does has a soothing effect.
I reckon James Wong's book will be a popular gift for birthdays etc.

Thanks TT but never mind. I'll have to keep a watch out for it.

With apologies to Hywel and others in Wales who cannot see this programme ~

R E M I N D E R ~

CAROL KLEIN. BBC 2 This evening.
Friday 13th March 2009.
Gardeners' World Special. 8.pm - 9.pm.

Gardener's world on BBC2 Wales tomorrow night at 6.30 :o)

:o) :o) :o)

Blimey - does it take THAT long for the signal to reach Wales Hywel? :-D

I guess the hills slow down the signal ? ;o)

Just seen James Wongs book on Amazon for £7.64 it's in this weeks book deal so ends Sunday 15th best get your skates on !!! minus P+P

Aster ~
Thanks for that info. :o)

Pleased I checked this again TT....off to watch Carol Klein now........she's my fave gardening presenter. Also are you enjoying the Grow your own Drugs prog...........I wish it was on for an hour, it's so interesting and he's so watchable...:o)

Hi Janey.
There are comments about James Wong earlier on this thread, including Aster's information, just above, about his book.

Glad you have joined in again here, Janey. If you think we've missed any garden theme shows, please add them. Thanks.

A reminder for this Sunday 15th March, 2009 ~

8.00 pm - 9.00 pm. BBC4. TV
Two half-hour Sissinghurst programmes.

A reminder for next Friday 20th March, 2009 ~

8.00 pm - 9.00 pm. BBC 2. TV
Gardeners' World Special ~
Joe Swift creating vertical gardens.

9.00 pm - 10.00 pm BBC4. TV
Two half-hour Sissinghurst programmes.

REMINDER ~
JAMES WONG ON BBC 2. 8.30 P.M.
THIS EVENING. :o)

TONIGHT ON TELEVISION.
8.00pm - 9.00 pm

BBC 2. Regions may vary.

Gardeners' World Special.
Toby Buckland examines alternatives to peat....

Toby investigates the repercussions of the great peat debate, hearing both sides of the argument, and deciding whether he is going to give up peat himself.

Oh! That's now! I'm off to watch it...... thanks TT ;-)

Sid ~
I hope you enjoyed yesterday's programme. :o)

FOR YOUR DIARIES ~ TV SHOW ~ TOMORROW ~

Sunday 29th March. 2009.

BBC4. 9.00 pm - 10.30 pm.

How Britain Got the Gardening Bug.

Caroline Quentin narrates......
The country's interest in horticulture, charting the changes and crazes in our gardens over recent decades.

I watched the GW peat programme and found it fascinating, and it certainly made me think about the compost I buy! In future, I will triple check every bag before I buy - no more peat for me!

Was anyone shocked at old Peter what's'isname?

I thought Toby did a good job of interviewing everyone and trying to present all angles of the peat debate.

Interesting where they proved that sometimes the compost was to blame and not the grower of the seedlings. I'll remember that next time my seeds don't sprout well. Lol.

~I missed some of it~old Peter who doing what?
ye~ I thought the difference between bags of the same compost between different locations was a bit naughty~in other words you don't know what the heck you are buying!

I was interested by the filming they did at various places when asking about peat content of composts and the 'wriggling' the companies did when their staff gave the wrong information.
It was interesting that only Wyevales got it right - there are two near here and I wouldn't ask for advice at either of them because the staff are so ill-informed

I don't know the blokes name - he used to appear on Gardeners Question Time I think? He just wouldn't concede that the harvesting of peat from the bogs actually damaged the environment. Toby did a great job!

I was amazed that the Wyevale assistant got it right!

I wonder if that Wyevale assistant has been promoted. Lol.

As Andrewr says, weird responses and excuses from those garden centres etc. which gave incorrect information....

~there are a couple of guys at the local Wyevale who seem very clued up~however when the new calendars came in this year I stopped in my tracks as Three Cliffs Bay which is a stones throw from the house and something I view on a an almost daily basis had been printed to show the three cliffs on the right of the bay~ie everything completely reversed !~I told the assistant of this printing error and she was completely uninterested!

It would have been interesting if there had been a printed road sign in the picture. What might it have spelt out in reverse ? Lol.

REMINDER ~ TELEVISION
This evening Friday 3rd April, 2009 ~
Gardeners' World. 8. PM. BBC 2.

This evening ~ REMINDER ~
7 PM. - 8 PM. BBC 1. Television.
New time for Countryfile.
With new presenters including Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury.

For insomniacs ~ repeated on Thursday at 1.35 am. Lol.

A timely reminder! Thanks TT!

You have ten minutes to make a cup of tea and switch on the TV. Lol. :o)

missed it ~was it good?

Arlene ~ don't worry ~ you can watch the show 1.35 am on Thursday. Lol.

Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker in the Lake District. Quite a variety of items and presenters. Weather for the week ahead was almost at the end of the show...

Mmmmm........I do like John Craven presenting, but I like Julia on Watchdog LOL!

I guess, just as with Gardeners' World, after several weeks of shows, we'll have a better idea if the new format is going to be successful.

There's a repeat of a garden theme TV show this coming Good Friday 10th April 2009.
BBC 4. l0 pm - 11.30 pm.
How Britain Got the Gardening Bug.
Caroline Quentin narrates the changes and crazes in our gardens since the 1940s.

Sooooo pleased with this week's prog. Learnt how to grow begonia's from tubers properly. But they didn't say where to store tuber's over winter. Would the shed or my mini greenhouse (plastic one) be best? Or even the garage? Many thanks!

Its great to have gardeners World back....Theres loads of gardening programmes and repeats of old gardenrs worlds and aload of other things on the sky channel 248....I always switch over if theres nothing on to watch .....

Glad to know these reminders are helpful ~
Craftnuttter, Hollyeves et al ~

Here's another TV show ~
This evening. Monday 6th. April 2009 ~
8.30 pm - 9 .00pm. BBC 2.
Grow Your Own Drugs. Vegetables ~
James Wong produces a garlic preparation to treat athlete's foot. Also cucumber-based eye gel and sticking plasters using chillies. [ Last in series ].

The above programme is followed by (on BBC 4) 9pm ~ 10pm Nicholas Culpeper ~ noted botanist.

GOOD FRIDAY TELEVISION.

Today. 10th April.2009.

8 pm ~ 9 pm BBC 2.

Gardeners' World. Second episode.
Launching a BBC campaign called Dig In....
designed to encourage everyone to grow their own food.

Toby Buckland drives around Birmingham handing out free seeds. At Greenacre, Alys Fowler works on the City Veg garden.

Enjoy :o)

Thanks for the info Terra ;)

Will keep you posted, Lillyb :o)

Garden theme shows on BBC4 TV this evening ~
9 pm ~ 10 pm ~ Sissinghurst.

10 pm ~ 11.30 pm. Caroline Quentin narrating :

How Britain Got the Gardening Bug.

Okay, here we go with some interesting TV shows coming up ~

This one especially for David ~
ITV1 ( I presume in Scotland also ? )
Sunday 12th April.09.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
5.20 pm - 7.30 pm.

Also on Easter Sunday ( tomorrow 12th April )
7.00pm - 8.00pm Countryfile.

Wednesday. 15th April. 09. BBC 4.
Mud, Sweat and Tractors:
The Story of Agriculture.
New series. 9pm - 10 pm.

Friday 17th April. 09. BBC 2.

Gardeners' World. 8pm - 9 pm.
Toby is planting his twilight garden...

Interesting series Grow your Own Veg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/growyourownveg_intheprogramme.shtml

Book Grow your Own Veg
To tie in with the BBC TV series, this is a lavishly illustrated, easy-to-follow, practical and inspiring beginner’s handbook to everything you need to know about growing vegetables, salads and herbs throughout the seasons.

I took my inspiration from BBC series 'Grow your Own Veg!' by Carol Klein

I think it is a must for any beginner

Thanks for this input, Mrs. Melon.
Your recent photos prove you're doing great things with your garden !

Carol Klein is fab. isn't she !
Let's hope there will be lots more of her shows on TV.

I would like more programmes where Carol walks around garden centres and garden shows, pointing out her favourite plants, and telling us further details about them. She is a real plantswoman and her knowledge is amazing !

I reckon the people who produce the garden shows for TV are READING GOY, so I suggest we mention anything we'd like to see shown in Gardeners' World and other garden programmes...

I'd like more programs where she's at her home Glebe Cottage in Devon busy in her garden and showing us round everywhere.
I used to enjoy the NGS series with her on the before and after gardens trying to be accepted by the NGS (wonder if she went and had a look at Spritz's....Lol)

Yes, please note, BBC, and other TV producers ~

We would like more of Carol in her garden, please...

and Janey, you're right ~
those NGS shows were very interesting. :o)
I don't recall seeing Spritz... or Henry. Lol.

Carol Klein is one of the presenters appearing live at BBC gardeners world in June full list herewith:-
* Joe Swift
* Matthew Biggs
* Toby Buckland
* Monty Don
* Alys Fowler
* Pippa Greenwood
* Carol Klein
* Jekka McVicar
* Adam Pasco
* Kevin Smith
* James Wong
* Anne Swithinbank
* John Craven
* Adam Henson
* Julia Bradbury
* Matt Baker
* Oliver Heath

Thanks, Arlene for that list.
Here's a quick summary of TV shows which you might like to watch if rain spoils your gardening plans ~

Sunday 19th April. BBC 1..... 12.05pm ~ 1.05 pm
Country Tracks with Ben Fogle.

Sunday 19th April. BBC 1. ... 7.00pm - 8 pm.
Countryfile . Includes Scotland's contribution to the natural world, and weather for the week.

Sunday 19th April. BBC 4... 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm.
Mud, Sweat and Agriculture.

Wednesday 22nd April. BBC 4... 9.00 pm - 10 pm.
Mud, Sweat and Agriculture..
The production of fruit and vegetables.

Thursday. 23rd April. BBC 4... 9.00 pm - 10 pm
Who Killed the Honey Bee ?
The decline in bee colonies. Meeting beekeepers.

Friday. 24th April,. BBC 2. .... 8.00 pm - 9. pm
Gardeners' World ~

Toby creates an alpine garden and sows the meadow with spring flowers, to attract bees and butterflies.

Carol Klein introduces the three people she has chosen to teach about horticulture.

I like to watch Gardener's World, too. I was so sorry when Monty Don was taken ill & had to leave the programme! His style was unique & his enthusiasm very contagious!

Hello Balcony ~
Yes, Monty Don was liked by lots of viewers.

He has been writing a series of articles called Grow Your Own for the Daily Mail Weekend TV magazine, of which the fourth part is published today, so fortunately it seems he is keeping busy and productive. :o)

Does anyone know when I can watch old reruns of Monty Don? I'm sorry I've missed his prog's in the past, but due to illness over the last 10 years, have not seen any, sob!!

I was really sad when Geoff Hamilton died, I loved his programme's and have his books thankfully! (must get them out the loft, lol!)

I don't have sky tho', only tv and digibox. Or has Monty done any DVD's or even books I could get as b'day pres. instead?

Thanks!

Hi Craftnutter ~

I guess there must be DVD's, videos or books featuring Monty Don. When everyone comes indoors after their day in the sunshine, hopefully we'll get some answers. :o)

Thanks TT!

I enjoyed his series for TV of his Journey around the world in 80 gardens (Or some similar title) Perhaps it was the stress of making that series that provoked his illness. :(

Hi Balcony ~
Yes that must have been a tiring series to make. Lots of travelling and filming.... :o(

~I have the book and the dvd of around the world in 80 gardens and his schedule of travelling and filming was so heavy and stressful that is why he became ill~such a shame! although he will be at the Gardeners World show at the NEC in June answering questions.

Sorry, I'm a bit late telling you what's interesting on TV this week.. I've been working on my fencing. My recent photo shows progress on my work, with my Clematis Frances Rivis blooming nicely...

Tonight Monday 27th April. 09. BBC 4.
8.00 pm - 9 pm. Who Killed the Honey Bee ?

Tuesday. 28th April. 09. BBC 2
9.00pm - 10 pm. Cruickshank on Kew ~
The Garden That Changed the World.
One-off documentary exploring the gardens' rich history.

Wednesday. 29th April. 09. BBC 2.
9.00 pm - 10 pm. Rain.
New series on the science behind the weather.

BBC 4 Mud, Sweat and Tractors.~
The Story of Agriculture.
The story of wheat farming in Britain.

Thursday. 30th April. 2009. 7.30 pm - 8 pm.
ITV 1. Countrywise.

REMINDER ~ TELEVISION ~
THE KEW PROGRAMME
IS ON BBC 2 VERY SOON...
9 PM - 10 PM.

:o)

Sunday 3rd May 09. BBC1 TV.
11.00am - 12 noon.
Country Tracks inc. weather for week ahead.

Sunday 3rd May. 09. BBC1 TV.
7.30 pm - 8.30 pm.
Countryfile inc. weather for the week ahead.

Tuesday 5th May 09 ~ Ch. 4. TV.
12.40 pm. - 1.10 pm. The City Gardener.
Matt James revisits a Leicester garden.

Tuesday 5th May. 09. ~ BBC2 TV.
8.30 pm - 10.00 pm. How Britain Got the Gardening Bug.
The rise in the country's fascination with horticulture.
Contributions from Penelope Keith and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Wed. 6th May. 09. BBC 2. TV
repeat of Cruickshank on Kew..
I wasn't very impressed with the programme...

Friday 8th May. 09. BBC2 TV.
Gardeners' World. 8.00 pm - 9 pm
Joe Swift visits the Spring Gardening Show at Malvern.

REMINDER ~ TV PROGRAMME
BBC2 8.30 pm - 10 pm.
This evening : How Britain got the Gardening Bug...

Two TV shows on BBC 2 next Friday. 15th May. 2009 ~

7pm - 8pm. Repeat of Who Killed the Honey Bee ?

followed by: Gardeners' World. 8pm - 9 pm..

Toby Buckland plants tropical borders and gives advice on herbaceous perennials..
Carol Klein teaches how to take root cuttings..
Alys Fowler makes a cold frame from scrap materials...

THIS WEEK ON TV ~

Sunday 17th May.09.
BBC 1.
11.00 am. Country Tracks.
6.00 pm. Chelsea Flower Show
7.30 pm. Countryfile

Monday 18th May.09
BBC 1
12 noon. Chelsea Flower Show.
BBC 2
8.00 pm. Chelsea Flower Show

Tuesday 19th May 09.
BBC 1.
12.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

BBC 2.
8.00 pm Chelsea Flower Show.

Wednesday 29th May.09.
BBC 1.
12.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.
7.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

BBC 2.
8.00 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

Thursday. 20th May. 09.
BBC 1.
12.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

BBC 2.
8.00 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

Friday. 21st May. 09.
BBC 1.
12.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.
7.30 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

Channel. 4.
12.35 pm. The City Gardener.

BBC 2.
8.00 pm. Chelsea Flower Show.

REMINDER ~
Endangered plants postage stamps available tomorrow.
See my blog # 14.

Thanks for the reminders Terra :) Looking forward to watching Chelsea again at lunch time...it's "Medals Day!"

Yes, Di ~ medals day !

Reminder that on the red button there is Chelsea coverage from 12 noon to 12 midnight each day.. :o) Enjoy...

Friday 12th June.2009

8pm - 9 pm. BBC2 Television.

Gardeners' World live from the NEC in Birmingham.

Friday 19th June.2009.

8 pm - 9 pm. BBC 2 Television.

Gardeners' World.
Grasses, prairie plants and exotic species in borders.
City vegetable gardeners.
Modern front garden design.

Sunday 21st June.09.
7.00 pm.- 8.00 pm. BBC1 Television.
Countryfile... visiting Exmoor.

Friday. 26th June.09.
12.55 pm - 1.25 pm. Channel 4. Television.
The City Gardener. Creating an exotic garden.

Good theme!

2 Movies that I enjoy, both running this week here in New Jersey, have a gardening theme. And just leave it to you Brits to be the makers of such movies!

Greenfingers, 2000, with Clive Owen and Helen Mirin, is about a group of prisoners in an experimental program which uses gardening as a rehabilitative tool. I've watched this a million times and really love it. It's a bit silly and fun to watch.

Amazing Grace, 2000, with Brenda Blethyn & Craig Ferguson, about a master gardener who's husband dies and leaves her penniless and she has to turn to selling marijuana to pay her bills. It's a bit slow moving but sweet and gives a good laugh. Plus, you can't go wrong with the theme!

Both of these movies have extensive gardening themes and are truly lovely little movies for a Sunday morning or a rainy day. Greenfingers is always running on Encore Drama in the States right now.

I'm sure you've all seen these, but their fun anyway!

Thanks, Poetgardener...
Interesting to have details of these two movies.

Have you ever seen an older movie called The Chalk Garden, starring Hayley Mills, John Mills and Deborah Kerr ?

I think you'd like that... Not all that much about the garden, but an interesting story... :o)

Thanks TT, I was wondering if there were any other movies with the Garden Theme? In the movie Suddenly Last Summer, with Katherine Hepburn & Elizabeth Taylor she sits in the Arboratoreum (I made that up, what is it called when it's not a green house, but a room filled with plants?) Anyway, she sits there telling the freakiest story about....well, it doesn't matter what it's about. It's the garden I seem to remember!
lol....
I'm glad the weather's good so you can get out a bit, but we have had so much rain that we're in a lot watching movies.

I'll check out The Chalk Garden, I love Hayley Mills and the rest.

Oh, have you caught our American TV Show called Weeds yet? It's a favorite of mine, though a bit racey so not for all tastes. I do find it quite hilarious tho dark around the edges..

Thanks!

Sunday 28th June. 09. BBC 1 Television.

11.00 am - 12. noon. Country Tracks.

7.00 pm - 8.00 pm. Countryfile.

...and if you wish to see how your lawn could look...
the second week of The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships is on BBC TV all week. Lol.

TV Garden theme shows this week :

Monday 6th July.2009 ~
BBC 2. 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm
RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.
Preview with Joe Swift and Rachel de Thame.

Thursday 9th July. 2009 ~
BBC 2. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm
RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

Friday 10th July. 2009 ~
BBC 2. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Gardeners' World
includes climbing roses and cottage plants..
.. and Carol Klein pricking out seedlings. :o)

~will be at Hampton Court on Thursday let's hope it doesn't rain!

I will look out for you, Arlene, on the TV. Lol. :o)

Friday 10th July. 2009 ~

(after Gardeners' World) BBC 2.
9pm - 10 pm. RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. :o)

I can't find any garden theme shows on the main TV channels this week, but Countryfile highlights is on Sunday 12th July. 2009, BBC1 7.00pm - 8.00pm. :o)

This blog is getting rather long, so today I've started a new blog for TV shows. Please see my blog number 21.

Add a comment on that blog if you wish to follow details of TV shows which are of interest to gardeners.... Thanks. :o)