This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
Keen gardeners need no reminder that every season brings change: the soil shifts, a new breeze arrives and the old must make room for the new. Yet that knowledge did not make it easier to watch Monty Don plant hostas earlier this month and tell millions of Gardeners’ World viewers: “Gardening connects you to the soil, the seasons and life itself. I’ve done this for so long, but the excitement and pleasure never fade.”
His pleasure in the work may be inexhaustible, but Monty is nevertheless hanging up his Gardeners’ World trowel. Next Friday (6 November), after 23 years across two stints, the programme’s longest-serving lead presenter will sign off. For him and his millions of admirers, it is truly the end of an era.
The dismay that greeted September’s announcement showed the depth of his appeal. Perhaps it lies partly in his refusal to chase fashion: even his work shirt has barely changed since 2003, when he welcomed viewers to Berryfields by marvelling at October’s glorious leaf colour.
His enthusiasm never faded, even as Longmeadow faced the same difficult weather as gardens everywhere. After this year’s scorched summer, he observed with characteristic understatement: “It’s been a difficult year, but gardeners learn, adapt and shift.” He despaired when squirrels stripped his sweetcorn, then celebrated the juiciness of his fruit: “There have been silver linings, and figs are one of them.” When Monty says recovery is possible, we believe him.
In a glossy, artificial world, Monty offers much to admire: his calm confidence, his generous sharing of knowledge, the affection with which he treats his plants — sending a bedraggled yew ball to “plant hospital” – and his candour about mental health and gardening’s restorative power.
His life combines striking failure – losing everything when his jewellery business collapsed in the 1980s – with great success, including numerous television programmes and some 25 books. Every road seems to lead back to the potting shed.
There is also the happiness of a 43-year marriage, three grandchildren and, of course, his dogs, among them the much-missed golden retrievers Nigel and Nellie. His current scene-stealer, Ned, joined him for his farewell video as the pair walked away beneath a pear tree.
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Long before Monty guided us through lockdown and Gardeners’ World audiences soared, Percy Thrower, Geoff Hamilton and Alan Titchmarsh had shown the public’s affection for television gardeners. Perhaps it is because we know these “stars” do most of their work off-camera. We merely catch them in the act, and few things are lovelier than watching someone absorbed in work they love.
No successor has yet been named, but the role demands authenticity, and whoever fills Monty’s boots will have earned the opportunity. In last week’s episode, he planted bulbs “to provide some colour in the months ahead”. We should follow his example and welcome the new season. Recovery is possible.
Monty Don’s final episode of Gardeners’ World is on Friday 6 November at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
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