Speaking as a gardener I often feel that horticulture and gardening are a poor relation when it comes to television coverage – admittedly BBC2’s excellent and informative Gardeners’ World, fronted by the wonderful Monty Don, is back with us on Fridays, repeated at 7.30am on Sunday mornings.  But sadly how often is this not shown because of some sports programme or other?  

But glancing through this week’s Radio Times it would seem that someone with gardening interests has been arranging things. Tonight there is a programme on Hidcote telling the story and vision behind this most famous of English gardens.  They say ‘it never rains but it pours’ and on Tuesday we are treated to the first of a four part series of programmes tracing the history of agriculture, a must for anyone interested in horticulture, followed by the first of another new four part series called ‘British Gardens in Time’ when Great Dixter will be featured.  As if this wasn’t enough Thursday sees the beginning of a three part series more on the botanical side of horticulture followed by ‘Everyday Eden’ described as ‘a potted history of the suburban garden’. All these programmes are being shown on BBC4.

For anyone with an interest in what goes on in their gardens this is all very good news indeed.  Horticulture and gardening are huge subjects with a wealth of history.  Millions of us enjoy tending our gardens, growing food crops and ornamental plants and shrubs. Let’s hope there is more to come in the future - enjoy it whilst it’s available