Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: Digeroo on April 15, 2014, 08:04:56
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Wow? after asking for contestants a few weeks ago they have already managed to film it. :icon_cheers:
It is on Tonight. Stand by your waiting lists.
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This was filmed last year...
Yesterday they had Fern Cotton in One Show and she said they started filming it last year from March onwards....so sounds like when they were asking for contestants, they are already planning 'round 2'.
Hmm...for some reason I don't feel any 'pull' to watch it.... :dontknow:
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If they are planning year 2 then year 1 will have been passed as ok.
Should be dark by 20.00
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Had a gander at it on the BBC's website.
Seems it's all about Jam making and flower arranging.
But I'll still watch it tonight if I'm back from the plot in time.
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I caught a bit off it last night. It should help in shortening the waiting lists for allotments. They seemed to have dragged out some anally retentive judges and brown bread and sandal contestants. It looked Fern Britton (who ate all the pies). Fern Cotton? I don't think so.
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It was originally called, "Grow, Make, Eat", which I suspect gives a better idea of what the programme is about. See here: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-18/bake-off-meets-ground-force-bbc2-commissions-grow-make-eat-the-great-allotment-challenge (http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-18/bake-off-meets-ground-force-bbc2-commissions-grow-make-eat-the-great-allotment-challenge)
I particularly liked the typo in the Radio Times article where they refer to "sewing the seeds". It all sounds a bit chichi to me, but then my idea of fun allotmenteering is getting amongst the brambles with a brushcutter, not delicately arranging posies on a nice tablecloth!
But we'll give it a go. It might be a very entertaining and even possibly an informative programme.
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even possibly an informative programme
..now that might be wishful thinking.
On the 'adverts' one of the judges were cutting into radish...."this is bit woody"....well...if they can't pick a radish at the right stage for a competition... :BangHead:...the contestants would be better keeping off...
I just might have a look how 'bad' the program is going to be...so I can grumble about it tomorrow.. :icon_cheers: :toothy10:
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Looking forward to the discussion on here after tonight's first episode! :toothy10:
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im glad i just eat my radish
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Rhubarb and custard curd.......making my mouth water......will be searching for recipes after this.
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Rhubarb and custard curd.......making my mouth water......will be searching for recipes after this.
My thoughts exactly- anyone got a recipe?
I actually enjoyed it, although I hope they judge some of the veg on taste rather than just looks in future episodes! My money's on Alex and Ed to win!
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Just watched it. It was passable as there's not much I like on TV on Tuesday, now that Sewing Bee has finish ed.
I would hate to be judged on my allotment stuff, or my cooking , or my floral skills.
My fruit and veg is sometimes a success and sometimes not. Just use what is good and compost the rest.
My jams etc. is mostly good but sometimes runnier than others. I just use it to pour over ice cream or in milkshakes. If its a bit overcooked I add a bit to curries (waste not want not!!!)
My flowers, I just stick in a vase.
No point in being too anal about life, is there? :happy7:
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Ummm...yes...lots of thoughts and opinions in my head...
I supposed it was ok program for what it was...but it didn't have much to do with allotments as such..more of cookery-flower arranging with a bit of 'greenery' thrown with it.
I would love to know did they have to look after the plots and plants in GH through out the season without any help from anybody else...did they have to travel, where ever they live, just to do watering etc.?? I have to go my plots everyday during growing season..!!!
In opening 'speech' it was mentioned...."..group of Britain's best allotmenteers..." ....who decided that?
The highlight of the first episode was THAT rhubarb and custard curd....MMMMMMM....
If I don't have anything better to do...I might watch it again....but I hope they show more the actual sowing and growing too....
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I actually enjoyed it. I am already looking at rhubarb curd recipes. I have never made a curd. Made me want to grow more picking flowers.
I also want to see more about the growing phase. If they only started in March they had fabulous rhubarb and how did the manage to pick blackcurrants? I do not reckon you would get enough for much jam for several years.
One set came from Manchester and another from I think it was Brighton, did they stay there for months.
The plots seem to be heaving with plants. There must be an army working behind the scenes.
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For Digeroo
This was filmed last year...
Yesterday they had Fern Cotton in One Show and she said they started filming it last year from March onwards....so sounds like when they were asking for contestants, they are already planning 'round 2'.
:happy7:
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I didn't think the format really worked - it seemed a bit forced. Technically we all know that it is a bit of a con - as has been pointed out above unless the contestants took several months off to go live on site then there must have been huge back up with watering etc esp as last years summer was so hot.
Personally I can't stand show veg and I don't see what it has got to do with what most of us grow for - I grow for food and don't give a d**n if three radishes are the same size or not. I also don't have much truck with flower growing but that is just me.
I long for a proper allotment show that shows normal allotment people growing fruit and veg through the season without all the usual TV nonsense - just proper information. There is far better stuff on youtube to be honest.
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What a load of cobblers,will the reality TV people not just leave things alone,the contestants were so far from the down to earth folk who have dirt under their nails and :ave a cuppa tea love:variety from my own plot,sorry, for me Ferns day time telly persona,though sweet,doesn't fit in with true plot culture,she always looks like she is instructing her own gardener how she wants her hedge trimmed...oooer mrs .....and how long he had to do it......ready steady.......turn over !!!!!!!
Let's face it Betty's midland meetings would be closer to real life,so c,mon girls get growing and well
Have out own version with yours truly doing the video,Ace can provide the Isle of Wight flashers
Humour and we can all chip in with some food on the day .....fun competitions but our stuff gets eaten which after all is what it's all about.....hhhmmm....so who would make a good presenter
Any wanna be ferns out there...?
Gazza
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I was busy, so didn't watch it and from what I have read, I don't want to. Rhubarb belongs in a crumble, or boiled up to clean a burnt saucepan. A tin of Whittards rhubarb flavoured white hot chocolate mix turned up in a cupboard here, I did not even open it, straight down the food bank with that.
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We just watched it over lunchtime on the iPlayer. Hmmmm. I tried very hard to like it, but neither of us was overly impressed. I know that some allotmenteers grow for shows, but it's a minority interest really. And plenty of allotment holders grow flowers. We do too, including sweet peas. But we don't do elaborate flower arrangements. And we do preserve fruit, including making some into jam, but most of our excess fruit is given away or put in the freezer.
The whole programme didn't quite seem to be in the spirit of allomenteering, somehow. Did the radishes taste nice? We don't know. Did the sweet peas make a lovely display on the wigwam and smell beautiful? We don't know. And did the fresh fruit explode with flavour before being made into jam? Again, we don't know.
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Why not give them an overgrown allotment, like mine was, and dig it, not a prepared bed. And show real people, not in high heels, but boots. Must say their produce was good, but didn't show, ants, tomato blight, etc. etc. Another rubbish programme.
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Absolutely Borlotti ... that's what I was hoping it might be.
Frankly the pretentious posturing about the perfect radish, absurd jams and flower arranging without a simple mention of what was done in order to grow the blooming stuff sent me in to a complete rage which I haven't really recovered from. It has no right putting the word allotment in the title.
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I caught bits of the program yesterday and thought what a load of twaddle. But I watched it properly today and as long as I'm not comparing it to what I imagine most allotments/garden plotters are about - enjoying and producing a worthwhile crop of fruit and vegetables to be eaten at home, with the surplus being given, swapped or preserved for use in the year. Flowers are great too, but most folk enjoy them for what they are not give them a florist makeover. Where's the making use of what comes their way, turning turning items into something useful in the garden or making mounds of compost and liquid fertilisers.
That and a bit more aside, it was quite enjoyable to watch, although the title is a misleading it should be more 'growing to show' or something. There seemed to be a good mix of people with different skills. If the programme engages and encourages viewers to get the veggie growing bug then fantastic. But it is not an Allotment Challenge.
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Mildly entertaining in a "why would they?" sort of way but not at all instructive.
The Great British Bake Off and Sewing Bee do at least explain why things are done a certain way and why certain ingrédients or fabrics are used for different purposes. Here there was no info on growing the perfect radish or sweet pea and why would anyone who isn't already a member of a flower arranging group want to do anything more complicated than bung a lovely bunch of sweet peas in a simple vase or jug?
Didn't see the point of the jam and curd section either, especially without giving recipes. I do make loads of rhubarb chutney and spiced blackcurrant jelly as we have so much of those and they need cooking anyway but our strawberries and raspberries and blueberries are eaten fresh and never make it near the preserving pan.
I'm afraid that, for me, this programme is a wasted opportunity and doesn't express the fun or satisfaction of growing one's own fruit and veg nor pass on useful tips and knowledge.
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Yohooo!...BBC's programs researchers... :wave: Are you reading this thread?
Please give us PROPER allotment program...and if you read through all the post here..you will get plenty of suggestions how to put the program together :icon_thumleft: :toothy5:
You could always make series with us....Gazza will help you... :tongue3: :icon_cheers:
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I was really really disappointed with last night’s program...this isn't real allotment growing, it was more about growing show veg....I mean who spends that much time on a row of radish! Real growing is about veg that comes in all shapes and sizes and using it to create wonderful jams, chutneys, pickles and meals.
They were talking about this program on our local BBC radio station yesterday morning, saying that the program will encourage more people to take on allotments....I'm sorry but I think the BBC are wrong... people will be scared to give it a go now as they think they have to create perfect veg, flowers, jams etc. or they will be criticized heavily.
I also got bored after 10 mins of the show as I am really not interested in perfect sized radishes. What about taste? what about mentioning how best to grow different veg or how to encourage beneficial insects to yout plot?....I'm sorry BBC...I think you could have done a lot better with this program!
(rant over now)
By the way, you can leave comments on their facebook page about the program: https://www.facebook.com/bigallotmentchallenge
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Theres a lot of spare plots at Pickards Field in Swindon where S.A.L.G.A have their shop. Would like to be there when the flush of nuwbe's come looking.
If they think theres going to be weed free plots with greenhouses there going to be in for a big dissappointment. I feel it gives totaly the wrong impression. No mention of different soil types/weeds/bugs and slugs/birds and snails.
If they want to challenge then provide them all with the same seed and see how well they do, that way its about ability. Same with the jam making ectra, all
to work to the same recipes like we do for the yearly shows. I must admit I was very dissappointed but not surprised by the content.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter. :sunny: :wave:
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Sometimes I am a bit disappointed not to get some of these shows, as it's fun to compare opinions. Sounds like a bit of guff though from what you all say !
@Jayb, I do agree, about turning trash into treasure in the garden. I must admit that I now cannot pass a pile of rubbish (or when the buildings bring the 'large items' out for collection, without having a look to see if there are interesting stakes or planks or containers etc!!! My husband thinks I am such a grot!
Nothing is wasted on my plot, grassy bits get used for mulch, tougher bits get chucked in the compost with all the kitchen waste, veg leaves etc, old newspaper is used to wrap scraps before going in compost, old tiles, rocks, bits of woods, any type of frame etc will be used to hold up plants, weigh down fleece and all that. That's the real allotment spirit!
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I watched this with amazement! the perfect allotments no weeding! no brambles! stones! how wonderful in the land of make beleave, Now we will behaving a rush forloads of dreamers to get a Lotty and some folk might think it's like this misleading load of c--p! it's a insult to hard working allotment holder's up and down the country! and who dresses up to do the digging weeding ? had my rant :BangHead:
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I watched it and if it encourages more people to grow, then fair enough -
BUT IT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ALLOTMENTS!
They could have called it 'Grow to Show' or something similar.
My daughter has often told me that a 'fly on the wall' type of documentary
filmed on our site would make good viewing. We've got all the
characters you could possibly need to make it interesting. They could
feature the 'Moaners' one week, the 'Good Old Days When Women Were Not
On The Committee' ones the next. We could show how it is possible to
have a toilet door without a lock and key, and how to dry hands without
using an electric hand-dryer. :tongue3:
We have also got the Salt of the Earth plot holders too. Like the man who
dug someone's plot for a charge and gave me all the money for the charity
I am supporting. Like Ken who comes every day to feed the cats, whatever
the weather. Like Bill who gives up his time to help others fit gutters to their
sheds so they can save rainwater.
Our site is a microcosm of society. We have around 130 plot holders from about 13
different countries and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Just wondering.. Does anybody here show their veg etc? One of the nearby allotment sites still has an anual show and I imagine this program was right up their street. Can't help thinking its something from yesteryear, but pehaps a yesteryear when allotments were at their zenith.
For me there were three highlights in the program.
1. Rhubarb and custard curd as mentioned by others and now with a thread of its own I see.
2. Adding coriander to blueberry jam to enhance the flavour. Definitely worth a punt as its tasteless pap on its own.
3. Another jam concoction which I thought I should try but have now forgotten. Looks like I may have to watch it over again!
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A lady on another site was interviewed for this but felt it wasn't for her. I visit per week & perhaps an overnight stay, payed for by the BBC, well us really. They had people to tend the plots for them. Now that's a surprise isn't it. OH moaned from start to finish.
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GJ!!!! :wave: :toothy10: :love5: :icon_thumright:
So it was just as I suspected...they have somebody else to tend to their garden...actually they haven't really grown their own veg at all. Anybody can set the plot but it is the TLC that makes the crop.
Then again....having a 'holiday' day once a week doesn't sound bad deal at all....hmmmm...I wonder if they would allow dogs and chickens for that over night stay too.. :drunken_smilie:
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I watched it last week. Better than some sex and violence.
The cordials and jams do inspire me to think more creatively about the use I could make of my rhubarb and other crops. I think I would like a programme about jams, jellies and cordials and scrap the rest. Pity they did not include stews and soups.
But like everyone else I am very disappointed by the lack of growing information. While the great british bake off managed more drama when someone drops or burns something.
The flower arranging guy does get up my nose. There was more gardening advice in the murder mystery Rosemary and Thyme.
Nice to find out how it really works. I would have liked them to have been made clearer. Though there was a bit in last week about the need for the plotholders to keep things watered while they were showing a sprinkler system in the background. Fine if the BBC are paying the water bill. It is very disappointing that the growing is done by anonymous professionals. The plots look great - lets see how they are doing it.
Yes BBC you have missed an opportunity. Wake up and smell the manure.
A toilet with no lock sounds great. Certainly beats no toilet at all.
I think there needs to be a remake of all muck and magic, we could not get Channel 4 at the time it was one of C4 top programmes.
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I watched it last week. Better than some sex
I have to say that I didn't think it was!
:toothy10:
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All the recipes are here, if anyone's interested:
=p01wjhcx]http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/search?programmes[]=p01wjhcx (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/search?programmes[)
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Sorry, that link didn't work and when I looked again, although it says "see all the recipes2, there are only eight from the whole series, just the winning ones I think!
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Yes seems to be the winning ones, no rhubarb and custard curd!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/p01wjhcx
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Don't worry there'll soon be a book to go with the series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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It's already in the shops Taurus.
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I think its fun. Not much of a challenge but certainly better than some of the other stuff on TV that we have to put up with.
A load of folk at work that don't have allotments think its good viewing - and that's who the show is aimed at - its viewing figures that determine the success or otherwise of TV programmes. Interestingly there's loads of folk at our allotment site that think its rubbish..................... but they still watch it every week !!!!!!!!!!
Search for allotments on You-tube if you want some good alternative viewing.
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We just watched it over lunchtime on the iPlayer. Hmmmm. I tried very hard to like it, but neither of us was overly impressed. I know that some allotmenteers grow for shows, but it's a minority interest really. And plenty of allotment holders grow flowers. We do too, including sweet peas. But we don't do elaborate flower arrangements. And we do preserve fruit, including making some into jam, but most of our excess fruit is given away or put in the freezer.
The whole programme didn't quite seem to be in the spirit of allomenteering, somehow. Did the radishes taste nice? We don't know. Did the sweet peas make a lovely display on the wigwam and smell beautiful? We don't know. And did the fresh fruit explode with flavour before being made into jam? Again, we don't know.
I have done some showing and even grow the odd thing especially for showing (Atlantic Giant pumpkins, Kondor adn Sherrine potatoes), but it does strike me as being a bit weird to grow to show instead of eat.... a couple of half-rows of spuds and a big pumpkin on a pile of poo is counterbalanced by the other 14 rods growing me things I can eat.... and come to think of it I can eat the Kondors....
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And why, after showing it on Tuesday every week, have they got the final on Thursday??
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Interesting cordials the other week. It may encourage me to be more adventurous than the usual elderflower cordial in summer and elderberry cordial in winter. Rhubarb and strawberry cordial will be first I think. Strawberries are just starting to turn.
Once you get past the disappointment of finding out the series is not what you expected, there is some good stuff to glean.
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Once you get past the disappointment of finding out the series is not what you expected, there is some good stuff to glean.
I agree with that, exactly my thoughts.
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Theres a lot of spare plots at Pickards Field in Swindon where S.A.L.G.A have their shop. Would like to be there when the flush of nuwbe's come looking.
If they think theres going to be weed free plots with greenhouses there going to be in for a big dissappointment. I feel it gives totaly the wrong impression. No mention of different soil types/weeds/bugs and slugs/birds and snails.
If they want to challenge then provide them all with the same seed and see how well they do, that way its about ability. Same with the jam making ectra, all
to work to the same recipes like we do for the yearly shows. I must admit I was very dissappointed but not surprised by the content.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter. :sunny: :wave:
Hey hey Taurus. That's where I've got my two plots :toothy10:
Both badly overgrown when I got them. One is coming along but the other...well...a lot of work there but at least it has some fruit bushes on it.
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Nice to see lots of new recipes for rhubarb- made some rhubarb and ginger cordial at the weekend (recipe from Jamie Oliver site)
If Kate and Eleanor don't win, there's no justice!
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If Kate and Eleanor don't win, there's no justice!
I watched the final last night and oh dear they were pipped at the post, before the program I thought they were going to win, what a shame!
It would have been nice to have seen more of a progression of skills and use of produce other than preserves - perhaps they did I only watched a few programs? Cooking dishes from their own crops would have been good to see and surely some part of how their plot was planned, looked and tended should come into the equation and overall champion?
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Apart from sweet preserves etc, I would have liked to seem them produce savouries. eg their own baked beans and a posh salad. And some kind of 'oh I say that tastes wonderful.'
We still have several spare plots on site, the programme does not seem to have produced a rush of interest.
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We have just had another email from the above media people asking if we could inform our members about their new programme......they want a group of neighbours to give up their own gardens and join together in a " communal " garden with the help of a celebrity gardener...ummmmmmm....
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Haven't they done something similar before where a row of households helped each other to improve their gardens? It was that annoying Anne-Marie Powell(?). Now if you tell me it's Chris Beardshaw, I'll get round to my neighbours straight away!