BBC Gardener's World

Exclusive Announcement

Gardener's World Compilation Episode 4

I am so proud that the piece aboutme & The Cloud Garden from Gardener's World shown in 2022 was featured in the final compilation episode before the start of the brand new season starts next week.

My segment originally aired a week before The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022. It was perfect timing. However, that segment was actually filmed in September 2021 but discussions around my appearance on the show started far earlier. In fact our planned filming date had to be rescheduled due to lockdown bubble rules. TV and the corona situation moved so fluidly that, I wasn't sure if I would even get the chance to film the segment and was in a little bit of limbo.

Interestingly, 2021 happened to be the first year of the Balcony & Container Garden cateogory at Chelsea. Earlier that year, I was approached to do a feature on TV for the Chelsea show which was taking place in September instead of it's usual May slot. However, due to similar audiences between GW & the Chelsea show coverage, they chose not to go ahead with filming for Chelsea.

Time rolled on but I stayed in touch with the producer. She was adamant that she wanted to share my story, garden and my plants to the GW audience. When lockdown bubble rules were slightly less restricted, she even refused to come and record the segment with a hand-held camera alone. She wanted a crew to record the garden in all it's glory.

However, in July my own personal circumstances changed dramatically. I was already struggling to balance my home life in my new role as guardian to a loved one with my other reaponsibilities. The combination of the circumstance change & my new role had left me feeling emptier than normal. Alone. Void. My identity had been lost and I was struggling to see the light. My garden and plants were my saving grace more than ever.

In time, I will share more of this in detail. When I am ready to, you will probably look back on this blog and make an instant connection. You'll see why I am so passionate about helping others connect to nature and will probably view this segment (and everything I have achieved so far) through the same lense I did watching it back on Friday night.

That Jason was on the verge of losing hope but was kept grounded by his garden in the sky.

On the day of filming, I was bleak most likley due to the lack of sleep. As always, the anxiety ridden fake smile was out on display but the calmness from the producer made me feel so settled. It wasn't long till I felt the anxiety fade away and in turn feel like I was speaking to an old friend.

I applied to Chelsea in Jan 2022. I didn't tell the team at the RHS till much later that I had filmed a segment on GW as I was scared that it would hinder my application. I didn't know what to expect when the segment first aired but there was a swell of support. It was overwhelming but also at the same time so lovely for me & others to share that we also name our plants and find peace in nature.

It was a standout moment of 2022 for me but to experience it all over again in 2023 was simply amazing. With the support of many of the first time watchers, I have gone on to do some great things that the version of me in 2021 couldn't even of dreamed of. Watching it again last Friday, I just wanted to reach through the tv and tell him, “Believe in yourself!” and that, “Everything is going to be ok!”

You can catch up with the episode below:

Gardeners' World, Compilations 2023: Episode 4: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001jw8c via @bbciplayer

I even had the pleasure of meeting Frances on my show garden at Chelsea a week later:

Nick Bailey also co presented the show with Frances when my segment originally aired and I was lucky enough to meet him at RHS Tatton to discuss my border garden where I appeared on Gardener's World once again that year.

BBC Gardener's World Spring Fair

Who would have believed that a year on I would be live on The Theatre Of Greens stage at the BBC Gardener's World Spring Fair, Sunday 30th April at 1pm. Talking to Chris Bavin about growing fruit & veg in small spaces.

For 10% off your ticket prices you can use my code: JASON

https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/spring-fair/whatson/theatre-of-greens/

Exclusive Announcement

I will also be on stage at BBC Gardener's World Live at the NEC on Thurs 15th June at 2pm & Friday 16th June at 12pm on the Secret Homestead stage designed by Lucy Hutchings (@Shegrowsveg)

Find out more here:

https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/meet-the-experts/

I am doing a series of talks and workshops throughout Summer. The aim is to get out there and spread the word about the power of small space gardening for mental health, urban wildlife and helping with the cost of living crisis.

Hopefully, I will get to see some of you out and about. Thank you for your support and words of encouragement it really motivates me to keep pressing on.

Have a great week,

Jason, Chad, Becky & Gary the Snail x