Dave Mark talks to Christine Walkden, who is best known for her appearances on several gardening programmes and The One Show, and who has hosted her own series, Christine’s Garden, on the BBC.

In these times of recession, why do you feel people should still be interested in something as frivolous as gardening? PEOPLE will pay £60 for a concert ticket and have a wonderful evening, but after it’s done, it’s done.

The same amount of money spent on a garden can give you happiness time and again.

Do you feel gardening is for everybody?

Most of us can’t afford the big, fancy, showpiece gardens. They’re just not practical. But whether you’ve got a windowbox, two or three plant pots or a square patch of lawn, a garden can be a beautiful, happy thing. More than ever, a garden can be truly inspirational. What I hope is that viewers will take away little ideas.

They might not go outside and completely redesign the garden, but they could have an idea that could bring a new splash of colour to their homes. It can be a seat, a windowbox or even just a new plant, but the power of horticulture to make people feel that bit better never ceases to amaze me.

You haven’t lost your Northern accent and are well-known for your no-nonsense approach. Do you find it a hindrance or an asset?

Somebody told me that my accent makes ideas they previously thought were rather silly middleclass rubbish make some kind of sense, so I suppose that’s a bonus.

Do you notice a different approach to gardens and horticulture between the North and South?

That’s more of an economic thing.

The South has more money. If the people in the North had the same amount, they’d be just as happy to go in for more outlandish gardens.

Do you think that some of the more oddball ideas, like talking to plants, have some merits?

Actually, I do. If you think about it, you’re producing carbon dioxide when you breathe out, and the plants can feel that if you’re talking to them up close. It’s not just Prince Charles being silly.

You are thought of as a very talented presenter. Do you still think of yourself as a gardener?

As far as I’m concerned, I’m a horticulturist. The presenting thing is fun and I enjoy it, but it’s sort of a sideshow for me.

How do you feel about some of your contemporaries?

There are people like Alan (Titchmarsh) who have made their mind up that they want to be a presenter, and good luck to him.

What he’s done for our industry can never be overstated. He’s served the horticultural industry very well. On the other hand, the less said about the likes of Diarmuid Gavin’s approach, the better.

Has the Ground Force-style of prime-time show had its day?

There will always be a place for gardening on telly, but I think that little purple patch may have run its course. Ground Force reflected the times. I’m still not sure the world needed quite so much decking, but it was popular at the time.