Putting the “G” Back in HGTV

Jennifer Polanz

My kids recently found “Chopped Junior” on the Food Network. They love watching kids who aren’t much older than they are making appetizers, entrees and desserts. And the best part? Since they started watching it, they’ve expressed more interest in helping to cook dinner, along with learning about the ingredients that are going into said dinner.

So it got me to thinking, these shows really do help spur interest and excitement. It’s what’s propelled Food Network and HGTV to what they are today—shows that have dynamic hosts and inspire people to try new things, either style-wise or food-wise.

I’ve heard a lot lately lamenting the lack of “G” on HGTV and I’m right there with you. I love that channel. If it’s not on college football, our TV is tuned to HGTV. I’m a “Flip or Flop” addict and “Love It or List It” comes in a close second. Both are formulaic and probably somewhat faked, but I don’t even care. I love a good makeover show and they inspire me for what I can do in my own home. Design doesn’t come naturally to me and these shows help me create a somewhat stylish home (on a budget).

So where are the gardening challenges? Food Network lives on challenge shows and HGTV goes for the home improvement angle. What about a mashup of both—outside? Here’s what I envision: a dynamic host with 15 landscape designers from across the country. Each week there’s a new challenge, where someone has to be “pruned.”

For example, week one the designers have to create a small shade garden oasis with some kind of furniture involved in a set amount of time, say eight hours. While they’re creating, the host walks around and talks to the designers about what they’re doing. “What’s going on here?” asks the host. “Well, this astilbe is going to give some great pops of color and texture, while this coleus has this amazing, splotchy color that we love in the foliage. And both of these are low-maintenance, so the homeowner can just enjoy them without a ton of work. Plus, we’re installing this irrigation system, so they don’t have to worry about watering.”

Then, the viewers see how the plants are grouped, the basics of installing the irrigation and how beautiful it all looks in the end. The judges then come out and critique the designs, praise the best and send one home. Repeat until there’s one designer left standing. It has the drama along with the inspiration and some education.

Here’s the thing about these shows: they do just enough to get people interested. That’s where the garden centers come in. Once their interest is piqued, we’ve got to deliver the goods.

I know what you’re thinking. Has it come to this? My answer? Yes, it has. We have some wonderful shows on gardening that air on PBS right now. However, even Martha Stewart said at IGC East this year that PBS isn’t interested in more traditional gardening shows. Martha couldn’t even get them to bite. It’s time for a show that appeals to the younger audience and inspires their creative side. It’s 2016 and it’s time to jump back into the limelight and make gardening fun and exciting.

Let’s get the “G” back in HGTV. GP