At last a decision has been made. Toby Buckland is the new main presenter of Gardeners' World, and what a brilliant choice.
At last a decision has been made. Toby Buckland is the new main presenter of Gardeners' World, and what a brilliant choice. Friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and down-to-earth, Toby shares a great deal with the main presenters he follows.
When I was talking to Toby at Gardeners' World Live a few weeks ago his outlook and philosophy of gardening reminded me very much of the late Geoff Hamilton, someone I'd spent many hours with in the past. Toby's not a trendy garden designer, but someone who understands both the art and craft of gardening, and speaks from experience. He's in tune with the environment, loves growing fruit and veg to feed his family, and is always bursting with new ideas he'd love to bring to life in his own garden. Now, of course, he'll have Berryfields to work on too, and he says he can't wait to get his hands in the soil there.
The first time I ever met Toby was at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden where he was working, and I remember admiring the willow-woven raised bed he was making to form a simple turf seat. Toby and his wife Lisa are regular contributors to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, and readers will be familiar with many of the inspiring Fresh Ideas and other gardening projects they've developed in the past.
Toby is a practical gardener, trained and qualified in horticulture, and a natural choice to lead Gardeners' World over the coming years. Those who know Toby will know what a great communicator he is. For those that don't then I can guarantee you'll find Toby's enthusiasm infectious. If anyone can fire you up to get out and sow, grow, prune and nurture then it's Toby.
What strikes you most when you meet Toby is his passion for gardening. Here's a man who loves his garden, and will relish the challenge of sharing his ideas and advice with viewers and readers.
At Gardeners' World Live in June Toby designed, built and planted The Ethical Garden, made from recycled materials he collected and handcrafted from beaches and the countryside in the West Country where he lives. His garden not only won a coveted RHS Gold Medal but also won Best Show Garden. His creativity and attention to detail was outstanding, demonstrating just how much he cares about his gardening.
Toby joins regular presenters Carol Klein and Joe Swift, and what a team they'll make when Gardeners' World returns to our screens on Friday 12 September 2008.
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