Geoffrey Smith (gardener)
Geoffrey Denis Smith | |
---|---|
Born | Barningham Park, Barningham, North Riding of Yorkshire, England | 23 March 1928
Died | 27 February 2009 near Harrogate, England | (aged 80)
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Gardener |
Known for | Writer and TV and radio presenter |
Geoffrey Denis Smith (23 March 1928 – 27 February 2009)
Biography
Smith was born at Barningham Park,
Harlow Carr gardens in Harrogate from 1954 to 1974 where he was known for growing plants which experts had labelled unfit for the northern climate.[2][6]
In 1972 he was made an Associate of Honour to the
Garden Writers' Guild Lifetime Achievement Award for 2006 at the age of 78.[2]
He made appearances on
BBC TV's Gardening Club which were followed, in 1976, by his first BBC series, Mr Smith's Vegetable Garden.[2] He had a distinctive voice and sharp wit which were well known to radio listeners as he became a regular panelist on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time
.
Smith was a prolific writer, contributing to The Lady,[7] Garden News and The Garden. His many books became gardening best sellers, among them Mr Smith's Flower Garden, Gardening (Sure & Simple), A Passion for Plants, The Book of Primroses, Shrubs and Small Trees for Your Garden and The Joy of Wildlife Gardening.[2]
Geoffrey Smith lived in the heart of the
fell-walking
, photography, fly fishing and a passionate interest in all things pertaining to the countryside.
Quote
Put the brown end in the soil, the green end above it, and you're in with a much better chance.[1]
Personal life
Smith was a
Baptist.[8]
References
- ^ a b "BBC gardening expert Smith dies". BBC News Online. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "GWG Awards". Garden Writers Guild. 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ISBN 0-563-16313-5.
- ^ Geoffrey Smith – Telegraph
- ^ "Askham Bryan College". The Independent. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ Smith, Geoffrey (2001). "It's green not grim up North". The Garden. Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ Smith, Geoffrey. "Geoffrey Smith shows you how to make the best of your containers". The Lady. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ Obituary: Geoffrey Smith | Television & radio | The Guardian