Thank you for the e-mail address -- i did my part! :-D

Good idea - what's up with them anyway? I flipped over Saturday morning, expecting to see all garden shows and there was ONE. Should change their name to HTV, because they are seriously lacking in garden shows. I would bet that a separate network for gardening only would be HUGE. I'll send an e-mail their way.

I use to enjoy HGTV Canada ... now, it just SUCKS! Hour after hour, all it contains is one real estate OR home makeover show after the other! HGTV is now rarely watched in this household.

Terry

If HGTV is running fewer gardening shows it's probably because their ratings were poorer than the remodeling/makeover shows.

My theory is that gardeners tend to be out doing their thing (and not watching others do it), compared to would-be home remodelers.

Did they drop Paul James? That would be a definite improvement.

Thanks, donn. It's crossed my mind a time or two to complain to this network. The overall programming really stinks.

THANK YOU, Eric...for your comment about James. The cartoonish, slap-stick method of presentation was soooooo awful! I've wondered, though, if all of the silly crap was director/writer driven rather than Paul James driven.

I think that Paul James is the only gardening show that network DID keep around. That, right there, was enough to make me drop them from my channel lineup.

Email if you want, but I really don't believe that they're going to care whether or not real gardeners want real gardening shows. They're pandering to another audience entirely these days, and I'm not that audience.

I did my part and sent a (probably-useless) email. I was amazed, when I looked at their website, that they post a list of shows NOT airing. Including, needless to say, all our favorites.

They may not care, but I think they should hear from us, anyway!

Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV shows not airing

Being mostly a lurker on this particular forum, hesitate to dive right in, but that's just me :-)

I'm an ad rep for one of the nations largest cable providers. Also a long-time avid serious gardener. Had a great talk with HGTV's rep to our company about this very topic. Her direct response: "Bring me two national advertisers who will commit to a season and we'll bring out more gardening shows." Can't produce anything if there's no money to pay for it.

So, rather than lobbying HGTV, lobby garden supply purveyors to Advertise. Without naming names, the step lawn care people, several big box stores who have nursery areas, major mail order nurseries, etc. are all candidates. Get them on board, first.

Locally, I have a bunch of businesses lined up if garden shows come back, but it's gotta "start at the top." Several local reps in other markets are in the same boat.

Martie

Interesting concept, Martie. It's the viewer's responsibility to sell ad time for the network? As a long time buyer of advertising, I'd say the "top" is ratings-generating content.

On a lark, I listed the contents of the first ad break on Design Remix, currently showing on HGTV:

HGTV Dream House
Hallmark
Hampton Inn
Insinkerator
Campbells Soup
Zales Jewelry
HGTV "Living with Ed"

Donn - The point is that HGTV has been trying hard (witness the spiffs, promos, autofills and product placement offers) to get advertisers to literally buy in to gardening programs. The obvious advertisers feel they don't need to put their money into garden shows with .1 (on a good day) ratings, and we know it's all about ratings. People have to watch the shows, not diss what's there, make it a point to tell advertisers that they'll buy their products because they support the shows, and then maybe gardening on HGTV will come back.

The sad fact is that HGTV's ratings have gone up times four in the last two years, without the gardening shows. Local ad space tripled in price. The folks watching are watching the design shows. No network in it's right mind would cancel money makers. As much as I've had nurseries want to place locally, I've had furniture stores say "stay out of gardening, there's no one there." Unfortunately, history shows that they are right.

So, to my original point: If you watch Gardening By The Yard and Scott's is a major advertiser, be sure to send Scott's a note with a copy of your receipt for their product purchase and let them know you appreciate the effort. If 100,000 people do that, maybe gardening shows will come back.

And, Donn, since you're a buyer, maybe we should hook up? LOL

Martie

This report from the National Gardening Association, on 2005 gardening participation and spending, is interesting. It's a surprisingly large market. I think if content creators spent some time parsing this market, they'd be able to come up with ratings-generating material.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid it would lead to 20-something garden bimbos or competition gardening.

2005 Proves a Banner Year for the Gardening Industry

Eighty-three percent of all U.S. households, or an estimated 91 million households, participated in one or more types of do-it-yourself indoor and outdoor lawn and garden activities in 2005. That set a new record both in terms of the percentage and number of households participating in lawn and garden activities. It was also the biggest increase in lawn and garden participation seen in a single year since 2001. The number of households participating in lawn and garden activities from 2004 to 2005 increased by 9 million households or 11 percent. From 2000 to 2004, household participation in lawn and garden activities ranged from a low of 76 million in 2000 to a high of 85 million in 2001 and 2002, and averaged 82 million households. The 91 million households participating in lawn and garden activities in 2005 was nine million greater than the previous five-year average. In our opinion, the strength of sales of new and existing homes over the last few years is the main driver of increased participation in lawn and garden activities in 2005.

Lawn and garden participation in 2005 was highest among married households, people 55 years of age and older, college graduates, those with annual incomes over $50,000, those with children at home, and among households that are employed full-time or are retirees.

Average Spending on Lawns and Gardens Is Down

The $387 average spent on lawn and garden activities nationwide by participating households in 2005 was $62 or 13 percent less than the $449 average spent in 2004. This is similar to previous years that featured a significant increase in household participation in lawn and garden activities, when we also recorded a decline in the average total spent. We believe this is because new lawn and garden participants tend to spend less the first year they take up an activity than they do in later years, as interest and expertise increase. From 2000 to 2005 average spending on lawns and gardens ranged from a low of $387 in 2005 to a high of $466 in 2002 and averaged $440. The $387 average spent in 2005 was $53 or 12 percent less than the five-year average.

Households that spent more than the national average on their lawns and gardens in 2005 included men, people 45 years of age and older, college graduates, married households, those with annual incomes of $50,000 and more, in the Midwest and South, with no children at home, two-person households, and households that are employed full-time or are retirees.

Total Lawn and Garden Retail Sales Decline

While overall participation in lawn and garden activities increased, the average amount spent per household decreased, resulting in a small decline in total lawn and garden sales in 2005. Lawn and garden retail sales totaled $35.208 billion in 2005 -- four percent less than in 2004, when consumers spent a total of $36.778 on their lawns and gardens. Sales increased in nine out of 16 categories of lawn and garden activities in 2005; they decreased in the remaining seven categories. Total lawn and garden sales have not seen a significant increase in the last three years. Over the past five years, total lawn and garden retail sales have ranged from a low of $33.404 billion in 2000 to a high of $39.635 billion in 2002 and averaged $36.885 billion. The $35.208 billion spent in 2005 was five percent less than the five-year average.

Households that spent the most on their lawns and gardens in 2005 included those with no children at home, married households, college graduates, two-person households, those in the South, those with annual incomes over $75,000, and among people 45 years of age and older.

Y'all don't reckon all this here trading amongst ourselves, instead of paying retail, has backfar'd on us, do ye? An' I know I sure ain't buyin' no grass seed, long as I can stick a flower in the ground instead...

jus' my thankin', y'understand....;o)

All of HGTVs line up has declined IMHO. How many times can I sell or buy a house, or have it inspected - and in most cases these houses are dumps. Plus - what is it with all the crappy real estate shows??? They have multiple shows that tell me what houses sell for accross the country and after seeing one or two episodes it is really a bore. I wish they would bring on more serious decorating shows (i.e. Candace Olson or Decorating for the Sexes type shows).

And more gardening shows too. First they moved them from Sunday to Saturday and then they cut most of them. That Gardening by the Yard show is just stupid - it bores me with the really basic stuff they show and the guy is really annoying.

Thanks for letting me vent even if nothing ever changes.

It may not be a good idea to encourage advertisers like Scott's - at least, if you want shows that deal with perennial gardening, woody plants, garden design etc. Scott's wants you to buy lawn chemicals and high-powered fertilizers. I don't think I'd watch the typical show they might sponsor ("The Perfect Lawn" or "Better Gardening Through Chemistry").

It's the same problem that plagues radio gardening call-in shows in numerous markets - most of the questions revolve around 'what can I spray to kill this pest' and the answers cite some product the sponsor(s) are selling - not selecting pest-resistant plants or using safer ag chemical-free methods.

I kind of like the bimbo angle though - maybe "Desperate Mulchers" (?)

Eric, how true about the radio shows. I stopped listening to one that I used to enjoy. It just seemed to become one big commercial for chemicals.

I agree that HGTV is getting pretty boring. Way too many shows about interior spaces, and not near enough outdoor shows. I believe this has been discussed a few times in this forum, and there have been several letters written to HGTV in the past. I don't know what is takes to get them to change their programming.
I have to admit, I get a real kick out of the comments about Paul James. In the past people have commented on how much they like him. He might be a very nice guy, but I have always thought his show was pretty bad television. I couldn't stand that every show was Paul rolling on the ground, making goofy faces, playing with his dog, etc. How boring! They ought to call the show, The Paul James playing in his backyard show! I ask you, how many interesting shows can you make about one nutty guy getting silly in his yard?
I would watch reruns of a Gardeners Diary any day. Now that is an interesting show. You get to visit a new garden every week, and meet and talk about gardening with people that are passionate about their gardens. I miss is sooo much.

I completely agree with everyone regarding the lack of gardening programing on HGTV, so does that make me a hippocrit if I entered their dream home contest, LOL!

my two cents worth . . .

it's perfectly fine for HGTV to cut back on the gardening shows if it isn't profitable for them. But then in fairness to us all (since they don't really broadcast gardening shows any more), don't you think they should take the "G" out of their name?

I like Paul James. I also like Erica and the lady who does Gardener's Journal, and even Landscape Challenge. I'm for any gardening shows they put on, instead of the inane design, redesign, design remix, design on a dime nonsense that seems to be taking over. And that doesn't even mention the crappy craft shows that dominate the daytime, weekday programming.

I'm starting to think the G in HGTV stands for Garbage.

hmmmm - funny about Home & Garden TV - I thought I was just tuning in at the wrong times - I never check the tv guides in the paper or online.

Will send along my protest to Melwata@HGTV.com .

I LIKE the bimbo idea eric oh!!! Think about a reality show based on bimbos digging gardens - maybe Paris and Nicole can be the stars - and after 13 episodes they can sit and sip champagne on the patio and look out on their worthy efforts. How about "Designing Divas" for a name???

Or . . . following your idea - how about Orange County housewives hiring landscapers - can you say "pool boy"??? Hot sweaty guys and clueless women - you got yourself a show! Now for a name - how about "Digging for Gold"???

Ratings will go through the roof!!!

Forgive my tongue-in-cheek suggestions. I'm just sad that most of my favorite shows are gone. I guess I'll just go back to the printed word for advice from now on.