This year the bbc’s red button coverage of Chelsea is all being done from Manchester. That fact, coupled with sheer jammyness on my part (I just happen to have an ex-student who works for the bbc) means that I'm the bbc's red button horticultural advisor for Chelsea.My job is to research the gardens and the pavilion. Then interview the designers of the large show gardens prior to their filmed interviews. At these I help prompt the designers and check on plant names as they explain about their gardens. After that we edit the 2 films together, add music and subtitles and you see the finished product on your red button.So if you seen any misspelt names - you know who to blame!Interviewing designers over the phone has been fun, though it's meant a few early starts e.g. when ringing the designers overseas, 8am here is 5pm in Melbourne, Australia. Getting hold of them has been fun - especially Mark Gregory who missed his original filming slot because he was stuck in Mauritius with the volcano. He got back just in time to run the London Marathon. Where does he get his energy from – he’s not only designing and building a large show garden at Chelsea but he’s also building James Wongs garden too. Luckily the 2 gardens are across the way from one another so they can share a kettle for tea breaks.Must go and pack – I’ve got to drive down to Painshill Park (always wanted to go there) for filming tomorrow.We’ve got Darren Saines Norway’s answer to Alan Tichmarsh coming in on the first flight from Oslo, followed by Mr Ishihara with his interpreter from Japan, then Scott Wynd from Flemings from Melbourne. You remember they missed Chelsea last year because of the bush fires which burnt down thousands of dollars of stock and the nursery managers house with all his possessions. Finally we have the charming Mark Gregory. So should be a good day - if long - but that's show business.It is another world but my contract is only for 7 weeks so I have no illusions of grandure, my feet will be staying firmly on the ground and I’ll soon be back to normal life designing gardens for clients and doing talks for local groups.Enjoy Chelsea – I shall.
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21 hours ago
robert pryor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 6ft pair of Niwakis, wish i’d had them years before I did. I initially got the 8fts and immediately realised they would be a pain for the majority of hedges I used to cut. I think they are brilliant just make sure they are seated properly.…"
21 hours ago
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yesterday
Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I wouldn't cut a hedge without one. Anything over 6' you should get with 3 adjustable legs, otherwise they can be unstable if you lean - but positioned correctly they are the only way. 
Befrore retirement I had an 8' and a 4; . The 4' went in the…"
yesterday
John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Yes had that scenario where you can't reach a fiddly bit no matter what ladder and have to balance on the apex of a shed roof or do best job painstakingly with a long reach pole pruner . "
Sunday
PGM replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"We've just finished our second week, so that's a full round of all customers now, and didn't have a single one we couldn't do. It's been a really good start here in the north west and now with nice sunny weather coming up this week it's a great time…"
Sunday
Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I'm very wary of these tripod ladders, I took a life changing fall from the top of a 12ft tripod. Now I only use them myself with great care. The issue is that they are very unstable at the top if you lean to either side, and they go with no…"
Sunday
Billybop replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"Done a couple of second cuts already this last week would you believe. It's almost as if the grass has a memory of last year's drought and is making up for it now plenty of moisture available"
Sunday
Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"the tripods are good but in some scenarios the wide base and the fact the 3rd leg has to be placed some distance away from the step part for stability makes this large foot print impractical eg when cutting hedge behind a shed or greenhouse with…"
Sunday
Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Never tried these but always thought they look a bit of a pain to cart about. Looking at the picture, seems you're quite away from the hedge so you have to reach out more?   I just use ordinary aluminium extension ladders that you can easily adjust…"
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Tripods are better than any other ladder that's a fact. You can cut hedges that are lower than the ladder but it is more awkward, I have a 6ft amd a 12 foot been using both for the last 15yrs and haven't come stuck yet. Believe me once you've had…"
Saturday
Intelligent Landscapes replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I agree with HB. 12 foot Henchman with 3 adjustable legs are fantastic and we use them all the time."
Saturday
Joseph Taylor and The Stonemart Ltd are now friends
Friday
Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"You won't regret it, they are most comfortable ladders to use. Worth every penny."
Friday
matt replied to Julian chambers's discussion Price increases
"Increase prices every year, costs go up every year both on business and at home so otherwise your taking a pay cut, i dont get greedy i make small increases annually but as I do it every year and customers have learned thats part and parcel of it,…"
Friday
matt replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"i have two sizes and couldnt be without them, as use the smaller set for lower hedges so ladders never in the way and ive never bothered with the platform ladders"
Friday
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