Gardeners' World and other gardening programmes 2026

New Year, slightly late new start .

This Friday at 8pm, a new 3 part series from Monty Don.

Part 1

"Monty Don travels along the Rhine, one of Europe’s most important rivers, beginning at its source high up in the Alps and crossing four countries tracing the importance of history and culture in the gardens along its shores.

He begins in Switzerland, where he travels to an alpine garden 1,900 metres above sea level that displays a remarkable collection of mountain plants. In Austria, he visits the balmy Lake Constance, before crossing to the German side to visit an entire island garden nestled in its own microclimate."

 

Thirty plus years ago one October I took the train from Baden Baden changed once (I think) and went along the Rhine to Cologne where the train went along the Ruhr Valley towards Hamburg and I got off at Herford. The whole journey was fascinating, but especially along the Rhine with vineyards on both sides of the river and barges chugging along the river itself.

 

Really enjoyed Monty's new programme and I'm looking forward to the next part when he's in Germany.

We used to love listening to GQT but we're now skipping whole chunks of it when they've got Bethan Collerton as one of the experts. It's not just me but Mrs LS as well - we just can't stand listening to someone talk when they don't pronounce their T's as in this modern 'street' way of speaking where it's more of a 'uh' sound. I know I'm just an old fussy fuddy-duddy but it actually offends me!

 

I also enjoyed all 3 episodes.

I only wish the really sad story behind Schreber and the Schrebergarten idea would be mentioned in these gardening programs.
Don't use the English page in Wikipedia but if your browser allows, use the translation from the German page: Moritz Schreber – Wikipedia
Already the pictures on the German page tell the real story. That can't be said from the English page.

 

8pm tomorrow (Friday 30th), the second Gardeners' World compilation programme.

"To help bring a welcome splash of colour to these dark winter days, Monty looks back at some seasonal highlights where the plants and the passionate people who grow them take centre stage.

At Longmeadow, his tender salvias are ready to go in the ground. And with the big pots in the Jewel Garden, it’s out with the tulips and in with some bold summer bedding.

Carol Klein shares some tips and inspiration to brighten up beds, borders and containers in spring. Advolly Richmond retraces the footsteps of renowned garden designer and writer Vita Sackville-West. And in Worcestershire, Rachel de Thame celebrates one of the stars of the autumn border, the aster.

There’s a man in Leeds who has spent a lifetime perfecting the art of growing delphiniums. And a self-confessed fern fanatic in Wiltshire showcases his fascination with these plants."

The 3rd episode of Monty Don's Rhineland programme is on before GW, starting at 7pm.
"Monty travels to the Netherlands, where the Rhine divides into a network of waterways that eventually flow into the North Sea. Criss-crossing these channels, he discovers how the Rhine has shaped Dutch life, the land and the culture for centuries – as well as visiting the biggest display of tulips in the world and the busiest flower market."

 

Thanks @AnniD, dinner will have to be earlier tomorrow then!

 

I have caught up with the final programme in the Rhineland programme. It was the only one that I was really interested in due to Monty's visit to Keukenhof, a place on my bucket list.

When he was walking through it entirely on his own I was enraptured. I knew he'd been given permission to enter before opening, and all I could think was "Look at the colour !"


Then the gates opened and all hell broke loose .

I appreciate that, as with a lot of these places, there are quiet times to visit if you time it right, but my heart sank.
And another thing (), by all means take some photos by way of a memento, but my word it really is the Instagram place. How many of the visitors really appreciated just what they were seeing ?

I know, I'm just an old out of touch hasbeen Boomer .

A friend of mine is going on a cruise in early April and Keukenhof is on the itinerary. I can't wait for the feedback.

 

I went to Keukenhof about 40 years ago and all I can remember is that it was very busy!