Monty Don has been a beloved presence on Gardeners’ World since 2003, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in British gardening television. However, as he prepares for another season, he has shared his frustrations with the demanding nature of the BBC program.
In his BBC Gardeners’ World magazine column, Monty reflected on the intensive workload that comes with filming, which resumes in early March. While he looks forward to celebrating a significant milestone—marking 15 years at Longmeadow and 20 years as the show’s lead presenter in 2025—he also detailed the behind-the-scenes complexitiesthat make the production process particularly challenging.
Monty described the planning process as a “complicated jigsaw,” requiring careful scheduling to ensure gardening segments remain topically relevant by the time they air. He also touched on the post-filming phase, where the editing process shapes the final episodes—a stage he admits can sometimes be frustrating due to the inevitable constraints of television production.
As reported by the Express, Monty continues to balance his love for gardening with the realities of television—a journey that has made him both an expert horticulturist and a seasoned broadcaster.
For Monty Don, the Gardeners’ World filming schedule is an intense and demanding cycle, yet one he continues to embrace with passion.
“The crew moves on to other projects, while I, along with my team, prepare the garden for the following week,” Monty explains. “Then, on Monday, we start the entire process over again—week in, week out, until the end of October. It’s demanding, complicated, sometimes frustrating—but I absolutely love it.”
Monty’s love for gardening began at 17 when he planted his first crop of carrots, a passion that would ultimately launch his television career. He first appeared as a gardening expert on ITV’s This Morning before being personally recommended by Alan Titchmarsh to take over as host of Gardeners’ World in 2003. Since then, he has become a household name, guiding millions of viewers through the joys and challenges of gardening.
The Ever-Evolving Jewel Garden at Longmeadow
One of the most beloved features of Monty’s Longmeadow garden, regularly showcased on the show, is its themed sections—including the Jewel Garden, Paradise Garden, Wildlife Garden, Cottage Garden, and Vegetable Garden. According to Monty’s website, the Jewel Garden serves as the “physical and spiritual center” of Longmeadow and is due for an upcoming refresh.
Despite his vast expertise, Monty admits that not all plants thrive under his care. Speaking with Gardeners’ Worldmagazine, he reflected on the harsh late frosts that have made growing magnolias at Longmeadow an uphill battle.
“Our propensity for sharp late frosts means that no magnolia has ever been happy here,” he revealed. “And I’ve long learned that it’s pointless to force a plant to grow where it doesn’t want to, no matter how perfect the conditions may seem on paper.”
As for the Jewel Garden, Monty notes that it has a unique growing cycle. While other areas of Longmeadow burst into bloom during spring, this section remains remarkably bare well into April and early May.
“One of the characteristics of the Jewel Garden is that, when the rest of Longmeadow is flourishing with spring flowers and blossoms, it remains empty until later in the season,” he explained.
As Monty continues his unwavering dedication to Longmeadow and Gardeners’ World, fans can expect more seasonal transformations, insightful gardening wisdom, and of course, the occasional unexpected challenge that comes with working in harmony with nature.