Straight-talking Yorkshireman, Geoffrey Smith, once described as the Geoffrey Boycott of gardening, has won the prestigious Garden Writers’ Guild Lifetime Achievement Award for 2006. Now 78, he has been a professional gardener, broadcaster, writer and lecturer for over 50 years and has no intention of retiring.
Superintendent of Harlow Carr gardens in Harrogate from 1954 to 1974 where he delighted in growing plants which experts had labelled unfit for the northern climate, he went on to become one of the best-known faces – and voices – of the gardening media. His early appearances on BBC TV’s Gardening Club were followed by his first BBC series, Mr Smith’s Vegetable Garden in 1976. He went on to present Gardeners’ World from 1980 to 1982 and a raft of other BBC series in the early 80s including Geoffrey Smith’s World of Flowers, Mr Smith’s Flower Garden, Mr Smith's Favourite Garden and Mr Smith’s Indoor Garden all of which were accompanied by books – and some of the first ever BBC videos. His distinctive voice and sharp wit were also loved by radio listeners as he became a regular panelist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time.
He was also a prolific writer, contributing to The Lady (for whom he still writes), Garden News and The Garden. And his many books became gardening best sellers, among them Mr Smith's Fruit 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.
The result of the secret ballot of Guild members was announced to an audience of creative professionals from the fields of horticultural publishing and broadcasting at the Garden Writers’ Guild Awards Lunch at The Savoy on November 30 by master of ceremonies, James Alexander-Sinclair.
The other winners in broadcasting, book, press, photography andmultimedia categories were:
TV Broadcast of the Year: The Gardener’s Year - produced by Kath Moore for BBC Bristol
Radio Broadcast of the Year: It’s All Gone Pear Shaped - produced and presented by Pippa Quelch for BBC Radio Devon
Newspaper of the Year: The Daily Telegraph - gardening editor, Kylie O’Brien
Magazine of the Year: The Plantsman - edited by Mike Grant
Journalist of the Year: Ambra Edwards - for articles in Gardens Illustrated, Gardenlife and Hortus
Practical Journalist of the Year: Carol Klein for ‘Making Fronds’ in Gardens Illustrated
New Writer Award: Helen Billiald for ‘Spring colour guaranteed’ in Garden News
New Media Award: RHS Online (www.rhs.org.uk) – website editor, Geoff Hodge
Environmental Award: Leigh Hunt for ‘Fighting for the Front’ in The Garden
Trade Journalist of the Year: Marc Rosenberg for ‘Make the Most of PR and Publicity’ in Garden Retail
Enthusiasts’ Book of the Year: Growing Bonsai: A Practical Encyclopedia by Ken Norman (Lorenz Books, £16.99)
Practical Book of the Year: The Great Vegetable Plot by Sarah Raven (BBC Books, £20)
Reference Book of the Year: Irises - A Gardener’s Encylopedia by Claire Austin (Timber Press, £35)
Photographer of the Year: Jonathan Buckley for his portfolio of images
Features Photographer of the Year: Jonathan Buckley for his work in The Great Vegetable Plot by Sarah Raven (BBC Books)
Photographers’ Choice Award: Derek Harris for his photograph entitled Mistical Wistman's Wood
The New Media and Environmental Awards were new this year, reflecting the diversification in gardening media and the mounting concern for the environment. Guild chairman, Stephen Green said: “All of the winners can be proud of their work but I especially commend Jonathan Buckley for winning both of the judged photography Awards and Kath Moore for winning the TV Award for the fourth time in five years.”

The 2006 Awards were sponsored by: Banrock Station Wines, Bayer Garden, Briggs & Stratton, Brother, Cornwall Gardens, Garden Picture Library, Glee, Hartley Botanic/Gabriel Ash, Horticultural Trades Association, John Deere, Johnsons Lawn Seed, The Royal Horticultural Society, Saga Insurance, Scotts Miracle-Gro, STIHL, Thompson & Morgan and Westland Horticulture.

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