You won’t be surprised to discover that green-fingered gardener Alan Titchmarsh is a staunch advocate of organic fruit and vegetables, particularly when the flavoursome flourishes of food come from one’s own back yard. Despite that, he’s happy to admit that while ambition in the garden is to be applauded, it can often be better to buy in, rather than grow your own.
“I’m always telling people to grow foods that they and their family will eat, not just what looks good in the garden,” he begins, speaking exclusively to FPJ. “But then I’m hearing of people attempting stuff like pak choi, okra and salsify. Crikey, while I commend their creativity and gumption, I know they’ll ultimately find things a little too exotic for the family table.
“But however people get hold of it, I’m so glad to know that fresh produce remains appealing to the general public. We seem to be so far away from the lethargy that surrounded home growing 10 or 15 years ago. True, the market is struggling slightly, but my view is that it’s part of a bigger economic problem, rather than anything to do with specific likes and dislikes. And I do believe that home growing actually leads to people buying more from established producers as well. But my advice is often for people to stick to the basics - potatoes, beans, lettuce, runner beans and climbing French beans - the household favourites.
“There’s no shame in sticking to produce that’s easy to maintain, and you won’t end up with row after row of rotting matter going to waste!”
The TV gardener and chat show host, who’s gearing up for BBC Gardeners’ World Live at Birmingham’s NEC in June, rubbishes claims the ‘grow your own’ trend has suffered a downward slump in recent times, but admits more education is needed if the current levels are to be maintained.
“From what I see at shows like Gardeners’ World Live, we’re growing as much as ever before. And there’s real mileage in it if the blend is right and there’s a base of knowledge. For instance, people need to know if they’re working with quick or slow-maturing vegetables. With quick, particularly lettuce, radishes and rocket, always sow short-length rows every week or 10 days. You’ll get a succession of crop rather than a glut which goes off after a couple days. But with crops that take longer like parsnips, carrots and stuff - fair enough, plant long rows. And of course a common error is letting seeds dry out once they’ve been sowed.
“There is real maintenance at play, and for that reason I don’t think the popularity and fashion of home growing is any real threat to the commercial produce industry.”
The long-time TV star, who first came to prominence hosting BBC shows Nationwide, Pebble Mill, Gardeners’ World and Groundforce, believes supermarket simplicity is still the bane of the fresh produce market. “We’ve all got into the habit of buying stuff that screams ‘ease’ and ‘convenience’,” he explains. “You don’t get anything special if you’re pursuing that route. Sure, I get it - we’re all so busy, but we need to make time for our food, and we’ll live the better for it. Setting aside time to grow vegetables - or at least to appreciate a love of vegetables - is like setting aside time to go to the gym.
“But people will only take notice of that message if it’s presented in a modern way. Our producers are up against the marketing might of the supermarkets - unfathomable competition. So because of that, the message needs to be unique and different... after all, that’s exactly what the product is.”
According to Titchmarsh, the problem will continue to grow unless the next generation is educated differently. He maintains there’s a lack of knowledge on the part of our nation’s children, most of whom remain sadly ignorant to the farmed methods of fresh produce.
“I’m always left with the impression that some schoolchildren believe vegetables grow in a plastic bag with Tesco or Sainsbury’s written on it,” he says.
“It’s up to us to do our little bit to open their eyes, and to show them the delights of growing things.”
He claims our children’s lack of awareness about the origins of plants and vegetables should be remedied by the education system.
“There is a lot of effort being put into cooking, but I want to take it further back so they know how to grow things. It’s one of the basic skills of life. I hate lecturing kids and telling them what they should do, but if you bring them into it, they will learn. I don’t think they should feel looking after the environment is a burden - it’s a joy. But we can’t carry on forcing it on them - it almost has to be for them to discover. The most important thing in society is for us to imbue our children with a sense of awe, wonder and delight at our gardens and our fields. I honestly think that it should be taught in schools.”
Green-fingered garden enthusiasts attending BBC’s Gardeners’ World Live will experience theatre and stage shows, as well as getting the chance to meet their favourite TV stars, including Monty Don, Carol Klein, Joe Swift, and of course Titchmarsh himself. He explains how the four-day event is a wonderful opportunity to meet gardeners and producers from around the country.
“It’s an enormous natural fest, a fantastic celebration of our outdoor spaces. Most importantly, there is a clinic there where people and businesses can come and ask questions relating to produce, plants, flowers and kit.
“And selfishly, it’s a great chance for us all to get together and catch up. The Gardeners’ World and Countryfile crowd are so lovely, so it’s a good excuse for a reunion!” -
