To coincide with the new BBC series to be aired on 5 January (see our special report on page 10), the Royal Horticultural Society will be opening their Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr gardens to the public, free of charge (for one day only). The gardens will be running special events all themed around vegetable growing and staff will be on hand to answer questions and to encourage those who have never tried their hand at fruit and veg growing to have a go.

RHS Harlow Carr and Rosemoor feature in the programme and visitors will be able to see the 3mx3m (10x10ft) plots used in the making of the programme and talk to the experts involved. Wisley and Hyde Hall teams have also constructed similar beds to inspire visitors with small gardens and to show what can be done in a small area.

Special events will start in January and run throughout the year, the first being the ‘Grow Your Own Veg Day’ to be held at all four gardens on 10 February 2007. Visitors will be treated to free entry plus a programme of talks, demos, children’s activities, guided walks, free advice and much more.

Special vegetable gardening promotions will be available at the RHS Plant Centres and a limited number of free RHS Starter Packs will be available to visitors, on a first-come-first-served basis, containing seeds, a veg garden poster and gardening tips and advice. A limited number of free packs will also be available to website visitors who register online at www.rhs.org.uk.

So, can TV really help people get into gardening, or does it actually just keep people stuck to their sofas?