wildlife gardens BBC

[smartie]

I agree it was far too expensive and showy. Like others I'm glad to see anything featuring the concept of wildlife gardening on prime-time TV, but I had been hoping for more than Ground Force with a bit of a wildlife theme. Let's hope some of the other programmes show projects that are more feasible for most people.

[dan-fisher]

I skyplus'd it have have now watched it

What a MAJOR let down. From the first program it looks like just another gimmick entertainment program. I agree with all negative critisisms of the program above. They've totally missed the point IMO.



All those plants they put in.. what were they called ?? why are they there and what do they do ?? They didn't say. Not any education at all

They watered all the garden with a hose pipe, i thought they had a river at the bottom of the garden ? (Which does not even represent the majority of gardens)

Heavy plant machinery ?? Pregrown mature 7m trees and shrubs ??

Not happy and was really looking forward to it.

[Fireweed]

Re. comments already made about the presenters.

Re. Chris Beardshaw,the garden designer. I suppose a high profile designer like him often puts mature trees in gardens (and his clients can afford it). But on the other hand, it was a big, almost bare, garden and a tight time schedule and it did produce a stunning effect - a really amazing transformation. So at the moment I would be willing to forgive Chris on the proviso that the following progs are more realistic.

Re. Nick Knowles. Obviously the diamond geezer presenter, who is a "virgin" on the subject and can reflect the enlightenment process the viewer is meant to be going through.

Re. Ellie Harrison, the wildlife expert. Well, since someone here has already referred to her personal charms, can I dare to suggest that, aswell as her expertise, she also provides what seems to be now obligatory in telly-land, i.e. the telly-totty element?

[Gill Catton]

I still think it was good. Of course there has to be an element of gimmick and glam about it, its prime time telly.
And it was an education, allbeit a gentle one, this is easy to miss if you already know the obvious there are plenty of folk out there who don't and this program is aimed at those people, as those of us who already know already know or know where to go to find out more.

It still was an education if you're living in a house and you want a big semi-mature tree yet you know you're likely to be in that house for only 7 years or so the only way to achieve it is to buy a semi mature one. Where I used to live absolutely everyone had chopped down the big trees to get more sun and it was so depressing to look around and not be able to see a tree for miles, little blue tits hunting in vain about the eucalyptus tree in the opposite garden..... If I had been there longer of if I hadn't already planted an apple tree in the only available tree space I would have considered this. Its good to show that this is indeed possible if you have the cash and the space.
As regards using river water to water your garden sure in private garden you could probably get away with this even if techically you may require an abstraction licence, however, it may be risky to do this on the telly and actually quite hard work to leave an older lady to have to do water is heavy after all.

And again they did mention a few of the tree species but they only had half an hour and it wasn't gardners world or Chelsea flower show (both shows don't seem very often to question the ethics of the plants they use or benefits to wildlife yet they could), its primarily a make over show about gardens with a wildlife bent.

Plus it was the first show. If they go through the whole series and don't mention ponds or log piles or bug houses etc I'll be disappointed but so far so good. It seems vital to me that the whole thing doesn't end up looking a bit geeky or beardy weirdy because then joe Bloggs will turn over.

To my mind it does what it says on the tin

[rumblenewfy]

The series has its own website where you can have a virtual look around the gardens when the episode has been shown. There is also more information about the plants they used to atract the wildlife.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by rumblenewfy

The series has its own website where you can have a virtual look around the gardens when the episode has been shown. There is also more information about the plants they used to atract the wildlife.

That's good to know, rumblenewfy, I was wondering whether they'd think of this

[tameblackbirds]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I want a river at the bottom of my garden! AND water voles.

Me too

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I want a river at the bottom of my garden! AND water voles.

Me too I wonder if I could talk the neighbours into a couple of pumps and a lot of water!

[Jez]

I really enjoyed it too in spite of it being only a half hour slot. Looks everyone on the programme learnt something new & a what a great transformation!

[woodysworld]

Well thats the second show done and i must say i was disapointed lacks information on plants and planting and paints the picture that you need to spend lots on a nature garden i thought the pond was to big even though it did look nice and it was nice to see the various visiting animals, i do hope they transform a few postage stamp sized gardens set in full urban town settings on a mor realistic budget.

Mick.