Broadcaster Monty Don has revealed he may have to dismiss the gardening team that helps maintain his famous Herefordshire garden, Longmeadow, following his decision to leave the BBC’s Gardeners’ World. The 71-year-old presenter explained that the public broadcaster has partially funded the salaries of his two full-time gardeners to keep the property ready for television broadcasts.
Don announced earlier this month that he is stepping down from the show after 23 years. With his departure from the flagship gardening programme, the financial contribution provided by the BBC toward his staff’s wages will come to an end.
BBC Contract Required Full-Time Support
Speaking at an audience Q&A session during the RHS Malvern autumn flower show at the Three Counties Showground, Don explained the contractual requirements that have been in place since he began broadcasting from his home in 2011.
“I have had two full-time gardeners, and have had them since I have been on Gardeners’ World, and from day one it’s been in my BBC contract that I have to have two full-time gardeners,” Don said. He noted that the arrangement ensured the garden remained presentable for filming even when he was away working on other projects abroad, such as filming in India or along the Rhine.
“The BBC pays a contribution towards their wages. Not enough, but they do pay something, which is great. Obviously, that contribution is going to go,” he added.
Impact on the Longmeadow Team and Future Plans
Don explained that his current groundwork team extends beyond the two full-time gardeners to include a propagation expert and a landscaper, all of whom have worked alongside him for a decade. He praised their work together, stating that he must now look for alternative ways to fund their employment.
“They are a great team and we all work together really well. I will have to think of ways – I can’t afford it unless we earn money from it, so I am going to think of ways of earning something from the garden, but I can’t do that until the middle of next year at the earliest,” Don explained.
However, opening Longmeadow to the general public is off the table. Don confirmed that the 2-acre plot in the village of Ivington will remain a private residence, noting that local roads and infrastructure could not handle visitor parking.
A 23-Year Legacy on Air
Don and his wife, Sarah, transformed the Ivington property starting in 1991, turning a bare field with a single hazel tree into a series of distinct spaces: a cottage garden, a colourful jewel garden, an Islamic-inspired paradise garden, and a productive vegetable plot.
Since joining Gardeners’ World as host in 2003 and bringing cameras into Longmeadow in 2011, Don has hosted roughly 700 episodes alongside his beloved pet dogs. Refinement of his routine and personal projects led to his decision to step down.
Key highlights of Don’s transition include:
- Current Season: Don will continue hosting Gardeners’ World broadcasts from Longmeadow through the end of the year.
- Upcoming Travel Series: Filming will soon begin on a new BBC travel project titled Island Gardens.
- Writing Projects: Don plans to publish more books alongside his upcoming television appearances.
- Speculated Successor: Presenter Frances Tophill has been tipped by industry sources as a likely candidate to take over hosting duties.
BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips praised Don’s decades of service, acknowledging his unique contribution to British broadcasting and his open conversations regarding mental health and nature. While Don steps down from the main hosting role, he confirmed he will continue to work on select BBC projects while gardening privately at Longmeadow.
