Hi all,I'm just curious as to how many folks see value in subscribing to gardening magazines. I have subscribed to two of the biggies for a little over a year now. There are some beautiful pictures, however often the plants in large vignettes are not identified. One magazine always highlights some rich couple's gardens, the ones done by professional landscapers, and the ones that you really need to have some $$$ to afford. Well, it is nice to see these photos, but I'd like to see some pictures of gardeners more like me. A few more practical gardens. The other magazine has too many articles and ads for garden furniture. For either, when a plant is identified, I find it is not something carried in the local nurseries where I live. Do you all think they are worth it? Anyone else get annoyed that the featured gardens always show some wealthy couple lounging around in pricey furniture, next to their outdoor shower, which is being fed by their faux waterfall, etc...Heidi

Any you would care to recommend? I do enjoy "Pacific Horticulture."

Are the big gardening magazines worth the money?

Aug 28, 2003 25 Replies

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JNJ 22 years ago

:-) Exactly! I've been so frustrated with that show. I was disappointed in the production company's response about using plants and techniques with a wider appeal but what can one expect -- it IS the left coast after all.

I like Gardening by the Yard -- Paul James hits all climates and he's out in Oklahoma (Zone 6 or 7, I think 7) so it's much more realistic plus he actually does remotes and his garden/landscape is obviously successful. :) I can't stand the DIY channel's gardening show -- their host is too annoying. Landscape Solutions is ok, although I don't care for the host, but they suffer the same issues as Landscaper's Challenge -- little cross applicability. Fix It Up has the occasional garden/landscape related show but they're more home improvement in general as one would expect.

For the main part, when I watch the Landscape X shows it's just to pick up a tip or two on fixing a sore spot.

James

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Chelsea Christenson 22 years ago

There's a new(ish) show called Bugs and Blooms which originates in Canada. I haven't spent much time with it, but it's a magazine-type show instead of a project show.

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JNJ 22 years ago

Hadn't heard about that 'un -- I'll have to search it up. Thanks for the tip.

James.

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Paul Below 22 years ago

I think those shows should come back a year later, and then see what the place looks like. That way the plants would fill in a little more, and there would be less emphasis on putting in plants that are already blooming.

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Frogleg 22 years ago

Oh, absolutely! I wish 'Ground Force' (or other TV transformation shows) would do a '1 yr later' special. The stuff that died; the stuff that thrived. Was a non-gardener inspired to spend some time keeping up the new look, or did he/she/they just watch it get completely out of hand? My pessimistic bet is that most will have deteriorated at least somewhat. But what a treat it'd be to see some further improvements! I wonder and wonder...

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JNJ 22 years ago

Heh -- more like see what plants actually survived. :P

James

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