The Big Dig - Allotment TV Programme

Back in 2005, the BBC launched a TV series about allotments but axed it after 3 episodes.

Viewers inundated websites, and the BBC with complaints - more than 400 in one afternoon to ask why. There was even a piece on Points of View.

So now they re-ran the series that consisted of 10 one hour episodes.

It's really a gentle observational series that contains lots of tips - grow your carrots in bins to beat the dreaded carrot-fly -and lots of characters shot on location at two allotment sites, one in the Rhondda Valley near Cardiff and the other in Highgate London.

The series was presented by Simon Mayo who also presents on BBC Radio 5

The Big Dig Billings (Episodes 1 -10)

1. A tale of two plots as Simon Mayo follows two hugely contrasting sets of allotmenteers from Cardiff and London throughout the growing season. Today it’s the beginning of April and that means it’s planting out the first early potatoes, getting the greenhouse in order, the bean frames up and learning the secrets of bio-dynamic planting.
2. A tale of two plots as Simon Mayo follows two hugely contrasting sets of allotmenteers from Cardiff and London throughout the growing season. Today it’s nearly the end of April and the allotment inspector visits the Highgate site in London to see if the plots are all up to scratch. Meanwhile in Cardiff the most expensive potatoes in the world are planted out.
3. Two sets of allotmenteers, two wildly different approaches to gardening..this is a tale of two plots from allotments in Cardiff and London.
   Today it’s the beginning of May , the world’s most expensive potatoes have gone missing, a prize pumpkin is planted in Wales – last year’s effort needed four firemen to lift it – and in London the local allotment competition is launched. Presented by Simon Mayo.
4. A tale of two plots – one in Cardiff and one in London – and two contrasting sets of allotmenteers as Simon Mayo follows them through the growing season. Today it’s the end of May and the British summer serves up hailstones in Wales, but drought conditions in London – how will both sets of gardeners cope? We also uncover the universal mystery of sheds, crop out broad beans and build a pond.
5. The show in which Simon Mayo follows two contrasting sets of allotmenteers throughout the growing season. Today it’s the beginning of June and for the plot holders in Cardiff the first crop of early potatoes are ready and there’s a shed makeover by the wife of one unsuspecting plot holder. Over in Highgate London, the pond gets finished, watercress is planted in a nearby stream, and we discover how bananas can help your tomatoes grow.

6. The show where Simon Mayo follows the allotmenteers of two hugely contrasting plots – one in Cardiff and one in London – throughout the growing season. It’s nearly the end of June and the allotmenteers are tasting their first strawberries of summer, the Giant pumpkin challenge is underway as to which site can grow the biggest specimen and for one suffering allotmenteer it’s planting out his carrots for the fourth time of asking after three crop failures.
7. Simon Mayo follows the exploits of two sets of allotmenteers – in Cardiff and London – as they tackle the growing season.
   It’s the beginning of July and just about everything in their gardens is coming up nicely on both sites, although the local allotment competition in Wales nearly ends a longstanding friendship between two keen gardeners.
8. A tale of two plots, as Simon Mayo follows the exploits of two contrasting sets of allotmenteers – one in Cardiff and one in London - throughout the growing season.
   Today it’s nearly the end of July and both sets are cropping out with spectacular success. There’s giant cabbages in Wales and massive cauliflowers in London plus beautiful blooms on both sites.
9. Simon Mayo follows the exploits of two contrasting sets of plotholders – one in Cardiff and one in London – as they battle their way through the growing season.
   Today it’s the beginning of August and there’s the secret of bumper carrot crops, how to thwart cabbage butterflies and pea moth plus shed building.
10. Simon Mayo follows the fortunes of two contrasting sets of allotment holders – one in Cardiff, one in London throughout the growing season. Today it’s the end of August and the growing season is nearly finished as the allotmenteers on both sites meet to compare their produce. There’s a winner in the giant pumpkin competition and the world’s most expensive potatoes are unearthed.

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