GARDENERS in Cheltenham have been encouraged to keep planting, despite the advice of TV star Monty Don.
In a recent episode of the BBC's Gardener's World, the presenter, who lives in nearby Herefordshire, advised viewers against planting seeds because of the cold weather.
He said: "There's no great hurry to sow seed, so don't panic. Don't be in a hurry."
This outraged Peter Burks, chairman of the Garden Centre Association, who said Monty's comments could harm trade.
Tony Bryan, manager at Blooms Cheltenham Garden Centre, is encouraging people to keep cultivating their plants and flowers.
He added: "April is the time most people start sowing, so it's ideal. The season started out okay, so when the season does get nice, the plants will soon get growing again.
"But you will still get a decent crop. Last year was a wash out with the weather, and it was simply wet throughout the summer, so it was tough.
"Business has been affected a little bit with the cold weather, but it's not too bad. We've got a restaurant here, so that helps trade.
"It's actually all coming together nicely. The season is starting again and I'm looking forward to it."
He agreed with Mr Burks, insisting that gardeners should keep planting despite the cold weather.
"Peter was right in saying that," Mr Bryan added.
"We do as a nation generally talk ourselves down, but people are still planting, even last year and the year before.
"I think most people were put off by how much rain we had last year, but we actually had a reasonable summer."
He added: "We've had snow in March before, but these things happen, and we can still keep planting.
"Everything is going to be fine. Plants need water after all, and with the rain we've been getting, that's actually good news.
"If it was still dry and cold, that would be worrying, but this is the perfect weather to start sowing.
"When it gets to the summer, and we get some sun, we will have the sun and the water in the soil, and that would be great.
"You will always need flowers in the community, it makes people feel better."
