I was really impressed by...

[Lumpy]

I watched Beechgrove today and was really impressed by the Garden Scotland Show.
I always thought I wanted to go to Chelsea but what I saw made me change my mind so I might consider a hike up North next year.
The small garden ideas were brilliant - and what the kids had done with the old plastic bottles was fabulous - and as for the mobile allotment that visits schools.

So is the show as good as it looked on todays programme?

[Alison]

I've never been to Chelsea but always think the way they show it on the TV makes it look rather snobby and superior to any other shows which is off putting. Am guessing this us more the way it's shown rather than reality but puts me right off visiting (and it's miles away ). We go to Tatton mist years and that's really good, I particularly love the back to back gardens and council displays. Find most of the big gardens too "designed" and not really about gardens.

[Lumpy]

I agree with you Alison. Seeing the programme this morning made me regret not being there to look for myself.
They did a slot on very small gardens and stated that over 7 million people had gardens that size - they then showed a before and several afters which was awesome. They included planters that could be moved with a teneant, veggies and even a balcony garden.
The plastic bottle set up was awe inspiring!
They also had a section on the poisons garden from Alnwick - which I would love to visit.

[Alison]

Recorded it this am so will watch later - seen the poison garden before, looks really interesting

[Scarlet]

I've never watched Beechgrove. I don't often do TV but that sounds like it's worth a shot!

[JanieB]

I've watched this a few times but was unimpressed. It sort of reminded me of the late Cyril Fletchers appalling presentation of "Gardening Today". I might watch it on catch up if it is better than it's usual format. Actually, several programs in the past were awful. I think the TV presenters at the time had the wrong idea and presented cookery and gardening programs as if we only cooked or gardened if we lived on a farm. If we did we would have known what we were doing anyway.

[Lumpy]

I do think todays one would be worth getting off catch up and at least then I can waffle on to people who have seen it as well!

[muddled]

I love beechgrove, it's the only gardening programme I watch (on iplayer because we don't have a telly).

They often focus on 'normal' sizes. They have 6ft x 8ft greenhouses because that's the most common size. They focus on helping people with small gardens and difficult environments like slopes, deep shade and so on.

I find it more useful and real than other shows.
My mother in law saw it this morning and told me it was a wonderful episode....I'm looking forward to watching with a tall glass of vino once the kids are in bed.

[Scarlet]

Oh dear! I wasn't going to drink tonight as I celebrated last night but think that's a good plan Muddled!

[Martin H]

Hmm. A glass or two of wine sounds ideal.

I always look forward to Beechgrove, the only thing at this time of year is that their season is a bit behind those of us in the South of England, so they tend to advise us on doing things that we've already done a couple of weeks ago!

I'll be watching tonight on catch-up.