winter wildlife

British TV Shows to Keep Your Gardening Passion Alive This Winter

It’s winter. Rainstorms are a frequent feature of the skies, temperatures are glacial, and the weather – all in all – can be pretty bleak. There is no denying that spending time in your backyard in the current outdoor conditions is not the most appealing idea ever. Why get drenched when you can stay dry and warm inside?

However, the truth is that a lot of gardeners will miss putting their green thumbs to the test. Deprived of their hobby, they may hope to find an alternative way to cultivate their interest and passion for gardening. That said, even the most fearless gardeners, who want to take care of their outdoor spaces regardless of the cold weather, may still want an extra daily helping of plants and flowers when inside their homes.

Hence, we have put together a list of brilliant, British garden shows. All you need to do is turn on your television, stretch out on your sofa, and spend a relaxing evening learning something new about the magical world of gardening.

Gardeners’ World

Whether you’re just beginning to garden or have veteran green fingers, you will have surely come across Gardeners’ World at some point in your gardening career. A classic BBC series, this show premiered in 1968 and is one of the longest-running programmes on British television. Even today, it keeps blossoming year after year!

Presented by Monty Don, the show tends to follow three storylines per episode. From helping home gardeners tidy up and restyle their backyard to exploring magnificent public gardens, Gardeners’ World makes for a fascinating watch. Moreover, Monty himself gets the opportunity to flaunt his own outdoor space, offering tips and tricks on how to keep your garden looking lush and luxuriant.

Love Your Garden

Is your garden looking sad and unloved at the moment? Are you planning to revolutionise it as soon as spring arrives? Take inspiration from Alan Titchmarsh on his ITV programme Love Your Garden. A true master of shears and pruners, Alan holds the key to all gardening secrets.

With the help of his team, the presenter transforms run-down patches into splendid backyards. From adding ponds to setting up a wildlife retreat, Love Your Garden shares fantastic advice on how to revitalise your outdoor space and enjoy stunning makeovers. Whether you fancy crafting your very own flower bed or simply need a space to store your spare gas bottles, this programme can show you how to do it too!

The Big Flower Fight

If you enjoy cooking competitions such as Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off, chances are you will love a creative gardening tournament too. The Big Flower Fight on Netflix is a British series in which ten pairs of garden designers, florists, and sculptors battle to produce the most remarkable garden sculptures.

What is the final prize? The once-in-a-life opportunity to exhibit their bold creations at the prestigious Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London. Hosted by two great comedians, Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves, get ready to laugh till your jaw drops wide open!

The Autistic Gardener

Inspirational on several different levels, The Autistic Gardener is an entertaining show that follows the green-fingered adventures of Alan Gardner and his team of autistic gardening amateurs. Alan, an award-winning gardener with Asperger’s Syndrome, works alongside his trainees to create outstanding outdoor designs.

The program, shown on Channel 4 from 2015 to 2017, carries a strong and important message. It demonstrates how people on the autistic spectrum have bags of inventiveness and imagination, with the ability to turn overgrown gardens into green wonderlands.

The Instant Gardener

With work, bad weather, and the many other frenzies of everyday life, you may struggle to find precious time to dedicate to your backyard. Presenter Helen Skelton and design gardener Danny Clarke know this very well.

To solve this problem, The Instant Gardener shows how to revitalise your outdoor space in just one day. Take a pen and notepad, and apply Helen and Danny’s tips to your home garden.

Big Dreams, Small Places

Big Dreams, Small Places is a series that follows enthusiastic beginner gardeners who are willing to roll up their sleeves and bring their great ideas to life. Participants are carefully guided by none other than Monty Don, always ready to provide guidance and offer practical help when needed.

The programme highlights that you do not need hectares of land to create a luxuriant outdoor space. With just a pinch of determination and the will to get muddy, you can achieve your gardening dreams no matter how small your backyard is!

Around the World in 80 Gardens

With a clear reference to Jules Verne’s renowned novel, Around the World in 80 Gardens does exactly what it says – it visits foreign countries in search of stunning and inspiring gardens.

From Thailand, Mexico, and Singapore to Morocco, Japan, and New Zealand, Monty Don (yes, it’s him again!) travels the planet to takes would-be horticulturalists around the globe one garden at a time. All episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

As days get shorter and the weather turns colder, you may have put your shears and mower away for a little while. But if you miss your outdoor pastime, there are plenty of gardening shows that will keep your passion alive. We hope this list of garden programmes will keep you engaged as you wait for sunnier spells to light up your backyard.

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