Martin wrote:

On Fri, 5 Mar 2010 22:55:06 -0000, "Bob Hobden" wrote:

"Terry Fields" wrote...

Twenty-three minutes in and there was a mention of the snowdrops being
late; why not mention that after the opening '46 frosts here' rather
than the plant that had suffered? The snowdrop article could have
kicked off the programme very well.

This was a very poor start. If this goes on, I won't be watching.

I think you must have seen a different program to me, much better than
before, some practical tips some interesting but small bits on plants
(snowdrops and buttercups). Promising start, now the presenters need to
relax and let the plants do the talking.

Terry is one of the three million who liked the previous version of GW.

Thirty-odd years ago a GW programme by Geoff Hamilton inspired me - no
gardener then - to try my hand at growing sweetcorn. It was a roaring
success; I grew some beauties.

The interest in last night's programme faded when it became apparent
that there was no theme - other than 'gardening' - and that there was
to be no more than a show of random 'tips', slightly relieved by
Carol's relevant piece on the snowdrop family. Where was the
inspiration to try something new? Why show Buckland incessantly
writing labels? Once would have been enough.

Take the issue with the tomatoes that figured so prominently at the
beginning: anyone with arthritis is well advised to avoid eating
tomatoes and sweet peppers. Lots of people have arthritis, and some of
them garden. Why not deal with the subject of food allergies and
modern diets? What new things could be brought to GW on this topic?
What new fruits and vegetables could be introduced, and why?

The format of this programme might be the result of a popular survey,
and good luck to it. IMO I found it lacking in 'engagement'.

TF