Chris Beardshaw to join Beechgrove Garden

Chris has posted on Facebook and Twitter:  "I am so pleased to let you know that I am joining the Beechgrove Garden! The first programme in the series will be on air from the beginning of April until October. Usually shown on BBC Scotland and Sky this year BBC2 will be also be broadcasting the programme on Sunday's. I have long admired the warmth that comes across in Beechgrove so to be invited to be an integral part of the team is a real pleasure."

This is really good news!  I suppose he's been introduced to the programme as it becomes a regular in the BBC2 schedules nationwide from April.  Excellent!

Good news all round

Yes, very exciting and also good news that it'll be on BBC 2 for those who can't get BBC Scotland.    It's such a practical and well humoured programme.  I hope the GW production team will be watching too.

Wow, Yippee another gardening programme to watch on the TV and not on a computer screen. Has the message finally got through to the BBC that gardeners actually want longer screen time than 1/2hr a week as we now have with Gardeners World and repeats and compilations of other past gardening progs.

Any new gardening programme on TV has to be good news. About time too. I've never seen the Beechgrove Garden programme but am looking forward to it. Thanks "The Cycling Gardner" for bringing this to our attention.

Great news. Beechgrove will do well across the UK. It is more 'normal gardener' and gives practical advice to do that week. GW can be pompous at times showcasing large gardens or those with gardens that can take 100 types of x plant.

Anything with Chris Beardsaw in gets my vote.  Lot's of his hints on GW How To thread are usually useful, not 'pie in the sky'

I'm with Bjay. Chris is great and I loved his Chelsea gardens.

Don't know Chris Beardsaw but I do watch Beechgrove and really enjoy it. 

If you have tv through a sky dish even without a subscription you can get all the local variations

I'm with Rosa, Busy-Lizzie & Bunny - good news indeed.

Bunny, you haven't seen Beechgrove - shame on you .

Only problem with it being shown nationwide is that it comes from one of the coldest parts of Scotland - those of you in southern England won't believe some of the conditions there  - makes where we live seem like the south of France!  Some of the advice will be a bit late; maybe Chris is there to balance it for other areas.

You might find Jim (the main presenter)'s accent & words "interesting"

Can't wait now for it to come back.

Don't think it was shown on English TV. I haven't seen it either.

Was usually on a Thursday evening- on BBC Scotland so- sky dish needed in England or i-player which may have shut Liz out

Am have second thoughts now about Chris Beardshaw -he is a garden designer and I do hope that they now they have a "big name" the content of the programme  doesn't change too much-is at its best when it concentrates on the Beechgrove Garden itself and the trials and tribulations-and there is not going to be too many garden makeovers again

But must not pre-judge-wait and see-as regards us down South I never found the advice was that far out as regards timimg- or accents

I hope good gardening time won't be given over to helicopters etc

You haven't been to deepest Aberdeenshire then, Bunny??  The doric spoken there's like a language; when young I was taken to visit a cousin, married to a farmer who when he went outside put on his "waldy bits" (wellies).

It's diluted a lot nowadays as have all regional accents, unfortunately.

I believe that Jim's from Ayrshire - just round the corner from you!

I find Jim easy to understand and he has alovely way with him.   Chris Beardshaw began his career as a lecturer at Pershore College and later moved in to TV presenting and design.  He's a real plantsman who's very good at right plant right place and also planting combinations.   

I've watched Beechgrove for a couple of years now and find it very informative and entertaining though I'm less keen on the community project programes.   It gives excellent advice, runs proper trials of plants and products and the team all works well togther and with humour.  CB will make a very good addition to the team.