Adam Frost, the BBC Gardeners' World presenter, has revealed he once turned down a landscaping job because it involved installing a checkerboard paving pattern for an outdoor chess set. Speaking on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch on July 5, Frost expressed his strong dislike for oversized plastic chess boards often seen in gardens and hotels.
Frost's Strong Views on Outdoor Chess Sets
During the show, Frost discussed his new podcast 'Outsiding' with Caitlin Moran but quickly addressed his aversion to large plastic chess sets. He said: 'The massive, plastic chess sets. You go to a hotel, or even people put them in their garden! They pave a huge area, and they have these plastic chess pieces that slowly change colour. Really, kids just use them to attack each other.'
Frost emphasized that chess should be played in a more traditional setting: 'If you want to play chess in your garden, buy a board, a set, take it out into the garden around a table with a nice drink. Civilised. Don't do that plastic, no.'
Refusing a Landscaping Job
The gardener admitted that his dislike for such installations led him to decline a professional request early in his career. 'I can remember, first doing a landscape job very early on when I had a small landscape company and someone wanted me to lay a checkerboard paving pattern in their back garden. I refused, very politely. I just couldn't do it. It's just a no,' Frost explained.
Despite co-host Tim Lovejoy suggesting that giant chess pieces offer an 'immersive experience,' Frost disagreed: 'That's not immersive! How is that immersive? No. It's a complete and utter waste of space.'
Moving House and Leaving a Garden Behind
Frost also reflected on moving house at the end of last year. He visited his former property, now owned by a new couple, and felt joy that they were enjoying the garden he created. 'I walked around with them and they are absolutely loving it. And I think that's a great thing to hold on to, is the fact that maybe you've just left somebody else a whole load of joy,' he said.
