Geoff-Fest

…and the [gardening] gloves are off! 

As is blatantly obvious, I am always referring to my collection of Monty Don books and Gardeners' World magazines for tips, hints and guidance for all things green.  Well, my allegiances are currently being challenged!  For my birthday a family member introduced me to the DVDs and written delights of Geoff Hamilton – late of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, and subsequently my (our) evening TV viewing has consisted of binge-watching three separate series entitled Cottage Gardens, Paradise Gardens and The Ornamental Kitchen Garden.

It has to be said that, although I didn’t even know it, my own [random] approach is akin to what Geoff advocates – planting flowers, vegetables, edible plants and herbs all together.  There are some guidelines, particular around certain companion planting, but the ‘everything goes’ approach is one I can embrace wholeheartedly. 

So, move over Monty, Geoff’s in the running!
(and nothing like a few mixed metaphors)

Geoffety-Geoff-Geoff:

Geoff Hamilton (1936 - 1996) was an English gardener, broadcaster and author, best known as presenter of BBC’s Gardeners' World from 1979 to his death.

His approach was practical and hands-on, with a down-to-earth focus and an eye on saving costs.  He shared his failures as well as successes with the audience, who responded well to his gentle sense of humour.  Hamilton was a committed and early advocate of the organic approach to gardening, helping to dispel the rather widely held belief that organic gardening was slightly odd and 'cranky.'

Gardeners' World was filmed at his own property Barnsdale Gardens from 1985 and here he developed a number of individual garden designs, experimenting with plants, themes and ideas, and gained the reputation as the ‘People’s Gardener’.  Barnsdale was his 'great experiment' in peat free and chemical free growing, and the 38 differently themed gardens spread over 8 acres remain an outstanding example of these organic principles.
 
Visit:  Barnsdale Gardens, Barnsdale Ave, Exton, Oakham LE15 8AH:  https://barnsdalegardens.co.uk/