Dig This

Dig This became New Zealand’s first national gardening show when it replaced a series of regional programmes in 1975 (among them Reg Chibnall's long-running Gardening). For 15 minutes, before the Sunday morning soccer highlights, presenter Eion Scarrow (who had honed his skills fronting the Auckland show since 1971) dirtied his hands in a garden created in the grounds of Avalon Studios in Lower Hutt. His advice was no-nonsense, and so was his wardrobe of jerseys, gumboots, overalls and towelling hats. The show allowed many trainee directors to develop their own craft.