why does no-one like Joe Swift?

[mickeynminnie]

can anyone tell me why everyone (well anyone I read when lurking on gardening forums) seems to hate Joe Swift so much?

am new to all this so not really up on who's a "proper" gardener and who's not... mind you half the opinions I read also don't like Monty because he's also, somehow, not a proper gardener

Its all snobbery. Joe Swift has a famous Dad ( Clive Swift aka Mr Hyacinth Bucket ) so there may be an element of jealous assumed nepotism, but I suspect its mainly because he favours modern garden design over trad ( which is pure snobbishness, gardens being a bit like homes in that respect ie bamboo/concrete/banana palms the equiv of Living Etc roses/cottage garden/17th century summerhouse the equiv of Country Life/Living ).

He also is a fan of showing how some of the basic DIY jobs are done, which IMO was the undoing of the Tobester. Its just not sexy.

Apparently, to be favoured, you need to have been born with a silver trowel in your hand, upper crust, and if you've ever dabbled in another profession, like Monty, you'll never be able to forget it.

Just ridiculous, IMO. They are presenters, fgs.

I don't know much about Joe but Monty has had no formal training which is why people I know are a bit sniffy about him. But I like him :)

re the formal training. I would much rather listen to someone talking passionately and with some knowledge about the plants and combinations they love, rather than some dry fusty old sort quoting from years of study. I can read a book if I want that. I like an engaging presenter.

I think he is great. Very knowledgeable and great practical designs. I like Monty too although I didn't think much of last week's new GW. The one I don't 'get' is Rachel de Thame.

Agree re RdT, bring back Sarah Raven, I say. Mad as a box of frogs, but so passionate and stylish!

Oh I can't bear Sarah Raven :o

I don't mind Rachel - she mucks in quite a lot. I want more of Carol Klein, I love her

Love Carol Klein. Can't stand Sarah Raven. I always wondered whether she was shagging Monty and that was why she was on GW when he was there. Very glad she hasn't returned.

I think it's because he's a 'designer.' He doesn't have a problem with using established plants to create an instant garden. Real gardeners have to build up gardens over twenty years using plants they've cultivated from cuttings and seeds

He also used irregular shaped raised beds in his allotment. That caused a lot of raised eyebrows.

Sarah Raven is stylish

Jeez. Gardeners are so judgemental! Is this AIBU?

Urgh couldn't stand Alyce.

But love Chris Beardshaw :D

ah ok. I might be more in the Joe Swift category of gardening then!

I went to a "workshop" on gardening techniques only this morning. Gardener running it has all the qualifications, experience etc but couldn't talk / communicate / present at all. Good hands on demo, terrible at speaking to a group of people about her subject.

I don't get how having a moderately famous dad for an actor would act as nepotism for a gardener though - unless it is some strange BBC recruitment policy. But then I never understand people who roll their eyes and mutter "typical BBC" either.

Mmmm Chris Beardshaw

Chris Beardshaw did the same horticulture course that I did. He's about 5'4" :o

Was Toby wotsit really sacked?

Sarah Raven is honestly just about everything I dislike in a person.

oh, well I suppose he has to be small to fit in the telly

Nooooo. Chris Beardshaw looks tall. If we went out together I'd be resting my elbow in his shoulder. Very now.

I thought both Toby and Alys (ridiculous spelling) were both sacked.

Geoff Hamilton was the gardener for me.

But he might be a bit before everyone else's time

Has GW got rid of the gnomes yet?

:o pinkhebe

Sorry Mollie, I should have left you to your fantasy

I had a dream where I was being chased by Monty Don, and Chris Beardshaw saved me. He wasn't small in that dream

I think Monty's hot. wouldn't mind him chasing me!!!!

Great dream, pink

no I don't like Monty Don