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Early beginnings
Gardener's World was first broadcast on BBC television on 5 January, 1968. Its purpose was to give viewers practical gardening tips and advice from a chosen location. The programme was initially based at Oxford Botanical Gardens and was briefly hosted by Ken Burras.
Just a year later, the format changed so that the show was aired from the presenter's own garden. This gave the programme a more realistic feel, and audiences seemed to instantly connect better with the presenter.
From 1969, Percy Thrower took to the helm - he held the spot for seven years, presenting from his Shrewsbury garden, The Magnolias. Percy was fondly remembered for presenting the show wearing a jacket and tie, and smoking a pipe.
Presenters
Arthur Billitt replaced Percy Thrower from 1976-1979, but it was the following presenter, Geoff Hamilton, who became one of the most enduring figures of the show. He stayed in the role from 1979-1996, presenting from his Rutland garden, Barnsdale.
Geoff was remembered for his cost-saving, down-to-earth approach to gardening. His warm humour and willingness to show both his gardening successes and failures made him a hit with audiences.
Popular personality Alan Titchmarsh took over the presenting reins from 1996-2002, introducing the concept of garden makeovers, before later going on to create other gardening shows for the masses.
Current presenter Monty Don replaced Alan in 2003, but instead of presenting the show from his garden, it was aired from a rented plot of land named Berryfields. This didn't go down well with audiences, and after a brief hiatus from the show to recover from a stroke, Monty returned in 2011, presenting from his own Shropshire plot, Longmeadow.
Much-loved Monty Don is now the longest-running presenter of Gardener's World and is admired for his warmth and charisma. The fact that he has literally learned gardening on the job, without any formal training, enables him to easily connect with viewers.
Other presenters who provide segments on Gardener's World include Joe Swift, Carol Klein, Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson and Mark Lane.
Facts and figures
Gardener's World airs on BBC2 on a Friday night from March until the end of October, attracting audiences of around three million viewers. Programmes usually start the season running for 30 minutes, and then extend for an hour.
Each show sees Monty offer practical tips and advice from his garden, Longmeadow, combined with segments from other presenters on a particular plant species or progress made in their own garden or allotment. Topical issues such as gardening in small or urban spaces, how to reduce plastic in gardening and community gardening are often addressed.
Members of the public often appear on the show talking about their garden, or a particular plant they're passionate about growing. Each programme ends with a section on 'jobs for the weekend'.
Occasionally, when an important RHS gardening event takes place, such as at Malvern, Chatsworth or Chelsea, the programme will broadcast from this location.
As well as Gardener's World television programme, a magazine complements the show, and an annual event, Gardener's World Live, takes place at the NEC in Birmingham each June.
Watching Gardener's World is certainly a great way to gain horticultural tips and advice, whether you own a small patch or a bigger one. With so much change going on in the garden at this time of year, following Monty Don's advice of spending at least three half-hour segments in the garden throughout the week, rather than one long session on one day, will help you to keep on top of sowing, weeding, pruning, watering and dead-heading.
Monty also claims it's wise to give plants a good soaking at least once a week and to feed them using liquid seaweed to ensure optimum growth.
With gardening activity now at its peak, having all your equipment easily to hand ensures you don't waste precious time searching for the right tools. For convenient and organised gardening this summer, why not take advantage of the wide range of storage solutions for gardening equipment from Solent Plastics?