North Anston: Jonathan to star in BBC Two’s Big Allotment Challenge

A North Anston floral expert will be putting his knowledge to the test on a brand new television series on BBC Two.

Jonathan Moseley, will be one of three judges featuring on The Big Allotment Challenge which launches on Tuesday 15th April at 8pm.

Hosted by Fern Britton, nine pairs of passionate, knowledgeable and amateur gardeners will go head-to-head in six one-hour episodes to be crowned Britain’s Best Growers within the gardens of Mapledurham House, Oxfordshire.

Jonathan said: “My knowledge of flowers and plants goes back to when I was just 11-years-old after my parents bought me a greenhouse as a birthday parent.”

Now living in Chesterfield, Jonathan has over 20 years experience of working professionally with flowers and he won his first award when he was just 12.

“I will be looking for something original, something creative and I want to see some personality in there.”

Contestants will face four challenges from the panel of experts which also includes award-winning Horticulturalist Jim Buttress and first lady of preserves Thane Prince.

The gardeners’ skills will be tested to the limit as they plot, plant and prune their allotment to harvest a series of prize-worthy vegetables or fruit.

“It will appeal to all people, it is a real family show,” Jonathan added.

“It has a similar format to The Great British Bake Off and I think it will be just as popular, if not more.”

“It will be very competitive.”

“I have had Tweets from people who didn’t make it through to the show but have decided to carry on growing.”

The tasks will pit husbands and wives, sisters, mothers and daughters as they aim to grow the perfect radishes, unblemished aubergines and presenting the perfect single rose.

They must also show their abilities in the kitchen by making jams, curds and chutneys and more using the produce from their patch.

Keen gardener and host Fern Britton said: “I have been gardening since I was a little girl and I am looking forward to learning more from our team of experts.”

Only one pair of gardeners will take the title whilst as the weeks pass by, the pair who fails to impress will hang-up their wellies and be sent home from the allotment for good.

The programme is a Silver River production and chief executive, Daisy Goodwin, said:”Anybody with an allotment will tell you that competition between allotment holders is intense. “

“The Big Allotment Challenge has taken the natural rivalry up a notch.”

There are over 350,000 allotments currently in use in the UK and a waiting list of more than ten years for some areas.

Jonathan regularly holds workshops at Chatsworth House and he will be hosting demonstrations there during his annual floral extravaganza Florabundunce which runs between 9-13th of May.

More information about his Flower School can be found at www.jonathan-moseley.com.