I had a look at Polytunnel/compost Land last night.

I agree with you Diane. We watched the BBC competition and thought it great, but as you say we could all do well with the amount of money they have to spend - OK you have to have the ideas!
I have slotted in watching Chelsea from recordings when I get the time and though they are all spectacular, again the full grown trees, unlimited plants and hard landscaping makes it unreal somehow. I thought the majority of gardens very lacking in colour, they all seem to be based on a few toned colours, is this the trend for this year? The water features are always stunning, but try keeping them clean in real life, they would fill with twigs, bathing pigeons, droppings (!) and algae - well they would here!
They shouldn't be teaching people to 'instant' garden, it's getting like the 'want it now' generation - no patience.

Its the presenters that annoy me, emphasised words, droning speech, gushing presenting, stupid questions to the exhibitors and joe swift even unable to get it right from the telepropmpt in front of him.....so disgusted i had to turn it off.....so sad as I usually enjoy it, often nice 'celebreties' talking about a favorite plant or garden.....

Thats very true about the 'want it now' generation
Honeysuckle.
Gardeners learn to be patient and understand plants,
they are part of our lives.
I found an Alpine Sempervivum last week at the GC -
its like having a baby again !

Hi Diane, I totally agree with you, I could have a beautiful garden too, if I spent £1500 a year on buying plants, my garden is 140ft x 40ft, and I'm sure I could make it look good with that sort of money, let alone a 10ft square.
I haven't watched any tv gardening programmes for years, I found the presenters to be very condescending to viewers, and told you very little, they would rather film other peoples gardens than tell people what they would like to know, and I've never watched chelsea, where they all come together to give each other a pat on the back, and tell each other how absolutely marvellous they are, so it's all a bit of a turn off for me, Derek.

Its not really gardening is it? Importing plants just for the show is a bit meaningless really. It would perhaps be just as helpful to us ordinary folk to show what can be done on ordinary budgets.

Thank you Honeysuckle, Pam, Derek and Stera,
I think some words have been said to Jim and Carol at
Beechgrove, on this subject, - usually BBC2 about 8 a.m Sundays. Give it a try.
They installed an 8 ft x 6 ft unheated glass greenhouse each a month ago, are going to include their usage in this Sunday's South of England programme. Carol flowers, Jim vegetables.
Needing small quantities for a variety of vegetables, seeds germinate in a couple of days in the warmer soil. I tend to be too generous with them. Have a lot of thinning out to do. I save most of my grey water from the bathroom, so water is not a problem. Carrying containers downstairs good for back trouble, -I live in an upstairs flat.

I am growing Radishes, Baby Lettuce, Parsley, Swiss Chard, Radichio, Tomatoes, Potatoes in a bucket, and a few yellow Beetroot, in mine.
Didnt like the flavour of Mizumo, so dont try that on the
wife Derek, mine went into the compost bin for the Brandling Worms to spit out.
Diane