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Flower show season

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by Pippa Greenwood

While the large flower shows are pretty mind-blowing it's the local flower shows that get me excited about growing plants and vegetables.

Harvest of blueberriesWhile the large flower shows are pretty mind-blowing, it's the local flower shows that get me excited about growing plants and vegetables. Many towns and villages have horticultural societies or gardening clubs, which hold at least one flower show a year.

They've got so much to offer, and I'm always amazed by what my friends and neighbours can produce in their back gardens. Current shows will be showcasing the last of the daffodils and tulips with other spring-flowering bulbs, annuals, and some shrubs.

It's wonderful being able to see what people have grown just down the road from me. And, while I know I'll never grow a cauliflower the likes of which I've seen in our local village summer show, it does make me less inclined to give up trying!

Flower shows like this are great fun, and good for all the family. My two kids have been entering various competitions at flower shows since they were tiny. Last year, after years of decorated biscuits, gardens in seed trays and painted eggs, they announced that they wanted to enter their fruit and vegetable crops in 'proper' categories. I'm incredibly proud to say that more than one first prize was won, and an even prouder that they wanted to do it in the first place.

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Gardeners' World Web User 24/04/2009 at 08:19

I agree with you Chris, I only hope that it is the new garden that is holding back all the information we have come to expect from gardeners world. Toby came across as more relaxed than Monty which I deemed a good thing at first but this year is definately lacking in seasonal information ie. sowing seeds, pricking out etc. Please more reminders when to do what and how for us gardeners not just starting out.

Gardeners' World Web User 24/04/2009 at 20:45

Like most TV programs today, I think that Gardener's World is aimed at youngsters with a short attention-span. I now watch Beechgrove Gardens on BBC Scotland (Wednesdays) for the kind of sensible down-to-earth advice we used to get with Alan Titchmarsh and Geoff Hamilton.

Gardeners' World Web User 24/04/2009 at 20:45

i was gutted when monty stood down last series, he was my inspiration to grow vegetable's, after watching the show i just wanted to get out into my garden, this series i think toby has settled in really well, he's a natural presenter, and he's taken the programme in a new direction, give it time, sure you'll warm to it, my gripe is when the music parts are played over clips, keep the gardeners world theme tune like they always used to, not kate nash like last 2 weeks, the gardeners world theme is etched into my mind, happy gardening all.

Gardeners' World Web User 25/04/2009 at 11:45

How wonderful to see my former colleague Shirley Hambelton on Gardeners' World doing what she always did best - using her amazing creativity to develop a magical garden ! We taught together many years ago in Surrey, and her Worcester Park garden was a tranquil oasis with pool of fish and swags of roses. I remember a recycled shower tray transformed into an alpine display ! I try to stay awake to watch Gardeners' World on Friday, but don't always succeed after a week spent with sixty four and five year olds ! Catch up TV is a wonderful thing ! So glad I saw you Shirley. Many thanks to the GW team for letting us see real gardeners in their own great gardens.

Gardeners' World Web User 25/04/2009 at 13:22

Hi I run a floral greetings card company called Scentiments in the Newcastle region does anybody know of any flower shows that may be occurring in the near future where I could show my wares? http://scentimentscards.blogspot.com/

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