Reality TV personality and gardening enthusiast, Gemma Collins, has criticised the gardening industry, claiming that it has shut her out due to her background. The former Towie star, who visited the Chelsea Flower Show last week, aspires to follow in the footsteps of female TV gardener Charlie Dimmock. However, she feels that she is being held back by the snobbery that still exists in the industry. Speaking to The Sun, Gemma said, “It’s really hard as there is still such a snobbery in gardening. I came from reality TV, but at the end of the day, we all start somewhere. When will these people ever give me my chance?”
Gemma is keen to use her platform to encourage younger viewers to take up gardening and believes that she can inspire others to do so. She said, “A lot of people do look up to me and listen to what I’ve got to say, so if I could just get a few people growing, that would be great.” Gemma is passionate about gardening and has learned a lot about the subject. She believes that anyone can start producing their own food, even if they don’t have a garden. She said, “If you haven’t got a garden, you can grow tomatoes in a pot. You can get the grow bags in Tesco. So many people waste their money on geraniums that will die because they’re not perennial. I’ve done it myself, so I’m talking from experience.”
Gemma’s love of gardening has overtaken her love of luxury goods. She revealed that she would rather spend her money on gardening than on designer handbags. She said, “I used to spend all my money on Gucci, but I’d rather spend it in the gardening centre. I love country life now.”
Despite Gemma’s enthusiasm for gardening, she feels that she is being held back by the snobbery that exists in the industry. She believes that her background in reality TV is preventing her from being taken seriously. However, Gemma is determined to overcome this and inspire others to take up gardening.
The gardening industry has a reputation for being elitist, with many people feeling that it is only accessible to those with a certain level of knowledge or expertise. However, there are many organisations and initiatives that are working to change this perception. The Royal Horticultural Society, for example, is committed to making gardening accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience. They run a range of programmes and events aimed at encouraging people of all ages to take up gardening.
Gemma’s comments have sparked a debate about the snobbery that still exists in the gardening industry. Many people have come forward to share their own experiences of feeling excluded or unwelcome in the world of gardening. However, others have defended the industry, arguing that it is important to maintain high standards and that expertise and knowledge are essential for success.
Whatever your opinion on the matter, it is clear that gardening is a hugely rewarding and fulfilling hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. With the right support and encouragement, anyone can become a successful gardener, regardless of their background or experience.