Background
Smith was born at Barningham Park, Barningham, North Riding of Yorkshire, where his father was head gardener.
Botanist horticulturist television presenter
Smith was born at Barningham Park, Barningham, North Riding of Yorkshire, where his father was head gardener.
He was the presenter of Gardeners World from 1980 to 1982 and a number of other British Broadcasting Corporation series in the early 80s including Geoffrey Smith"s World of Flowers, Mr Smith’s Flower Garden, Mr Smith"s Favourite Garden and Mr Smith’s Indoor Garden all of which were accompanied by books He was sent to board at Barnard Castle School but hated the restrictive life there. After leaving school he spent six years helping his father at Barningham Park.
Smith trained at the Yorkshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture, which brought him the prize for best all-round student.
At the age of 26, he was appointed Superintendent at the Northern Horticultural Society Gardens. He worked as the Superintendent of Harlow Carr gardens in Harrogate from 1954 to 1974 where he was known for growing plants which experts had labelled unfit for the northern climate.
He made appearances on British Broadcasting Corporation television"s Gardening Club which were followed, in 1976, by his first British Broadcasting Corporation series, Mr Smith’s Vegetable Garden. He had a distinctive voice and sharp wit which were well known to radio listeners as he became a regular panelist on Radio 4’s Gardeners" Question Time.
Smith was a prolific writer, contributing to The Lady, Garden News and The Garden.
His many books became gardening best sellers, among them Mr Smith"s Flower Garden, Gardening (Sure & Simple), A Passion for Plants, The Book of Primroses, Shrubs and Small Trees for Your Garden and The Joy of Wildlife Gardening. Geoffrey Smith lived in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and his hobbies included fell-walking, photography, fly fishing and a passionate interest in all things pertaining to the countryside. Smith was a Baptist.