If you're an HGTV fan, there's a lot to be excited about. Rock the Block is coming back for a new season (hello, Jonathan and Jordan Knight!), Love It Or List It is making a huge return, and Ben and Erin Napier will be transforming home towns for years to come. But still, some avid viewers are bringing up a complaint about the programming: Where are the gardening shows?
After all, the network was once known for series like Gardening by the Yard, Martha Knows Best, and Curb Appeal. But if you look at the current slate of shows, you won't find anything that focuses on gardening.
The network's official Instagram account recently gave a look back at some favorite hosts and was met with comments like, "My first TV memory of HGTV was “Gardening by the Yard”. They should bring back gardening shows-I feel like there is a big audience for that!" and "Really miss Curb Appeal." Another wrote, "I wish gardening was still part of HGTV, instead it seems like they prefer having multiple shows featuring family drama."
Similar comments arose on the network's March lineup post: One viewer said, "This is off topic, but HGTV stands for House Garden tv. I’m wondering 🤔 what happened to G (gardening) . Would LOVE to see a makeover in a backyard. Only garden though." Another chimed in with, "I wish there were some garden shows on home and garden television! People spend SO much money on gardening indoor and outdoor spaces. All we get are the same makeover shows, shown ten different ways!"
There are even Reddit threads dedicated to the topic, begging HGTV to "get back to their roots." One commenter said, "At this point, I’ll take ANYTHING garden related. Do you hear me, HGTV?!?"
We'll have to stay tuned to see if HGTV answers these pleas from fans!
Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.
