HortusTV: TV for Gardeners (plus a lifetime discount!)


In the UK gardening shows are still going strong.  In North America, however, the pickings are comparatively slim...or, more accurately, we are starved.

Remember back in the day, when you could turn on the TV on Saturdays and have your pick of gardening shows?  I'm not talking about the reality shows that dominate the airwaves these days.  I'm referring to shows that actually taught you how to garden - the shows that valued substance over "show" and fabricated drama.  If you're over 40, you know what I mean.  If you're under 40, then let me be the one to tell you that TLC originally stood for "The Learning Channel" - where you actually learned stuff.  I can't tell you how many times I've heard " I had no idea that's what the letters stood for".  It's no wonder.

Learning Channel logo from the early 90's
Photo from the aptly titled article "What Happened to the Learning Channel"

Then there's HGTV - another channel that had fairly good programing at one point until the reality show hordes took over.  In fact, there are so few gardening shows on it now, reality or otherwise, that I'm thinking it should undergo a name change too...that 'G' really shouldn't be there.

You know what the problem is?  These channels are run by executives that HAVE gardeners, not ARE gardeners.  They prefer manicures to dirt under their fingernails and their mandate is fat bottom lines not quality programming.

At the recent Garden Bloggers Fling in Austin, I was fortunate enough to meet Liza Drozdov.  Liza, a former DIY TV exec AND a gardener, is a fellow Canadian that had the same complaint as the rest of us - the only difference is, she decided to do something about it.  Enter HortusTV - a streaming channel for gardeners.  Say what?  A channel specifically for gardeners created by an actual gardener?  With quality shows that TEACH you something?  And no commercials to boot?  Sign me up please!  And yes, I have signed up 😃

The lineup is always evolving and includes many British shows which I've never seen before but have heard about from fellow British bloggers.  Those Brits have got it goin' on when it comes to all things gardening, don't they?  I'm looking forward to a Monty Don-a-thon.  There's also North American content such as Cathy Renwald's Gardening Journal - this one is close to my heart as she's a local.

Watch on your desktop, laptop, tablet or phone...and for those of you who prefer to get your gardening fix on your wide-screen TV, all you need is an HDMI cable.  Done.

From now until July 15th, Liza is generously offering a 25% lifetime discount.  You heard right - that 25% is a permanent discount.  None of this six month business.  With this discount, their current monthly subscription rate of $6.99 is reduced to $5.24, so you can get your gardening fix anytime, anywhere, for the cost of two cups of coffee...or a latte at Starbucks.  How do you get your discount?  Register HERE for a free 7 day trial, then when it's time to subscribe, enter this promo code:  GARDENINGME18.  That's all there is to it to get your 25% discount.  For life.

Finally, access to proper gardening shows in North America....thank you Liza & HortusTV.

Comments

  1. I hope you enjoy your TV gardening fix. I think we are lucky having Gardener's World, and there's one or two other gardening programmes though they're more makeover shows, giving a quick fix rather than 'proper' gardening, so I can't say I watch them. Then there's the Chelsea coverage too. It's only a week once a year but very comprehensive.

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    1. You are SO lucky to have Gardener's World - I tend to get very attached to tv shows that I love so to be able to continiously watch a show like that over the years would have been incredible. I'm not sure if there are any shows about Chelsea but it's on my bucket list for an in-person visit!

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  2. I do enjoy watching gardening shows, hope you enjoy your time watching them too.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm really looking forward to it - especially in the winter when I really need that gardening fix!

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  3. We watch a programme called Beechgrove which is set in Scotland. Other than that there is really only Gardeners World and that is frequently bumped from the schedule in favour of some sporting event!

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    1. I'm always hearing about new content coming out of the UK and shows that have stood the test of time - Love Your Garden (I love Alan Titchmarsh!) and the the unbelievable longevity of Gardeners World - it's been on since the late '60's!?! - colour me excited!

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  4. Oh yeah, I've been thinking about signing up for that. I love all the British shows, like Monty Don, etc. Here, we have Create TV, so I get my fix on P. Allen Smith, Growing a Greener World, and the Victory Garden. I don't watch HGTV much anymore. Enjoy the garden shows! :)

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    1. Thanks Beth - we used to get the Victory Garden, but I haven't come across it in a while. There are a few kitchen garden shows on HortusTV that I'm especially looking forward to (no surprise there!).

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  5. Hi Margaret, I loved the gardening shows also. I wonder why they discontinued them. Nancy

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    1. I don't know, Nancy, especially with so many gardening North Americans. I'm really looking forward to watching all these new-to-me shows!

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  6. This post is a riot and yet so true. I read a statistic the other day that said that 75% of North Americans garden. That's huge! And yet they've done away with all the gardening programing. Weird! Thank goodness there is Horus TV to the rescue!

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    1. 75% is huge! I think it's the scourge of reality tv - it's significantly cheaper to produce than proper content and with virtually no other choice, gardeners tune in.

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  7. Sounds great! I am starving for gardening shows. I remember watching The Victory Garden on Saturday mornings.

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    1. Yes, famished!! Victory garden was amazing, but at one point they switched up their format and it became more of a travel garden show, which I still enjoy, but it's not a favourite.

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  8. I remember hearing about this. The only gardening shows I can watch now are some English series on Netflix. I will definitely check this out.

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    1. I'm super excited to tune in, especially when it comes to Monty Don - I've only ever heard good things about him and his shows but have never seen them. I'm also a huge fan of Alan Titchmarsh and there are a couple of his shows on there (I saw one of his shows way back and loved it so much that it ended up on VHS - yes THAT long ago).

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  9. What a treat to have lots of gardening shows to catch up on. I like to watch Gardener's World on BBC's catch up iplayer where I can skip through the less interesting bits - lol! There doesn't seem to be a programme over here exclusively for kitchen gardens, now that would really have me hooked!

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    1. Ha! Love that fast forward button too - our time is limited so best to use it watching the parts that we are really interested in! I do miss Gardening Naturally & the Victory Garden - kitchen garden shows seem to have been more popular (at least with the tv networks) back in the 80's.

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  10. OH MY GOODNESS you read my MIND!!!! I was just thinking about this , I MISS Victory Garden , and many others , I thought I was the only person left gardening in N America...Karen Jones

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    1. Hi Karen - I simply don't understand why all these shows have gone the way of the dodo when gardening is, apparently, gaining popularity. Imagine how much more popular would be if some of these shows WERE still on, giving potential new gardeners the bug!

      P.S. Sorry about the late posting/reply - For some reason, I wasn't receiving notifications on comments that were waiting for moderation (see recent post "Apologies to all")

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  11. My mom love such kind of shows because she loves gardening. We got new spectrum internet connection and she learned using internet now watch such kind of shows on YouTube as well.

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    1. It's such a shame that all those shows went off network tv - thankfully there are still options for us gardeners like HortusTV and YouTube!

      P.S. Sorry about the late posting/reply - For some reason, I wasn't receiving notifications on comments that were waiting for moderation (see my recent post "Apologies to all")

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