From Spungold ProductionsGROW YOUR OWN AT HOME WITH ALAN TITCHMARSHMonday 25th May 2020 on ITV Pictured: Alan Titchmarsh in his garden ..picture taken by his wife Alison In a brand new series for ITV Grow Your Own at Home with Alan Titchmarsh sees the much-loved gardener share insider tips and tricks on growing your own fruit and vegetables at home. Filmed by his wife Alison while in lockdown, this series sees Alan show viewers how to enjoy the benefits of producing their own food no matter what size garden they have; be it outside space, a balcony or room for a single pot. Plus, holed up in their own very different gardens, the Love Your Garden team – David Domoney, Katie Rushworth and Frances Tophill – are also working on their own plots to turn them into productive gardens. Whether that’s creating a veg patch from scratch, a tiny edible terraced garden or making an indoor pizza-themed herb garden for the kitchen. These sequences will be interspersed with archive footage revealing Alan’s experiences of veg gardens, including inspirational growers and stunning gardens from across the country over the past ten years. Where possible the team will be working in real time so the audience can start working on their new gardens at the same time. With health and food supply high on the agenda it’s the perfect time to grow your own. © SpungoldFor further information please contact Peter Gray0207 157 3046 [email protected] This photograph is © Spungold and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme GROW YOUR OWN AT HOME WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH or ITV. Once made available by the ITV Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the Transmission date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com (Image: undefined)
Gardeners’ World star Alan Titchmarsh has shared a “terrifying” message he received from his eldest daughter, Polly.
Writing in his column for the latest edition of Gardeners’ World magazine, the veteran presenter discussed the topic of fallen trees, particularly relevant after recent storms have ravaged the UK.
The 75-year-old revealed that a few weeks ago, he received a before-and-after picture from Polly, showing an ancient oak tree, estimated to be almost 300 years old, that she could see from her bedroom window.
The Love Your Garden host had previously warned his daughter that the tree was “in decline”, as it had become stag-headed, meaning its upper branches were spiky like antlers and devoid of healthy twigs.
His fears were realised when he received the distressing “after” picture, showing the tree lying on its side with “the flattened root plate rising like some darkened moon fully three metres in diameter”.
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ASCOT, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Alan Titchmarsh takes part in a Q&A during the PCF Racing Weekend and Shopping Fair at Ascot Racecourse on November 24, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Photo by John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty Images for Ascot) (Image: John Phillips, John Phillips/Getty Images for Ascot)
Recalling the chilling message from his daughter, Alan said: “My daughter heard the tree topple. It was, she said, a terrifying and thunderous crash, like a car accident but without the clang of metal.”
He added: “Anyone who has heard a tree blown down will tell you of the disturbing quality of the sound. It is the last agonising cry of an ancient presence, toppling after centuries of vibrant life.”
The renowned broadcaster highlighted that around 280 species of insects would have resided in the tree and thousands of birds would have been born among its branches.
Alan emphasised that the fallen tree serves as a “reminder of our responsibilities to ancient trees that have done so much to enrich our lives”.
Read more… [WARNINT] [REPORT]
He also stressed the importance of hedge laying and the simple task of clearing a culvert, which would have saved the life of a 300-year-old “friendly giant.
Alan and his wife Alison are the proud parents of two daughters. Their eldest, Polly, was born in 1980, followed by Camilla, who was born in 1982.
The former Ground Force star will return to host Love Your Weekend on ITV on Sunday with guests including Felicity Kendal, Nigel Havers and Jessica Hynes.