Monty Don has candidly expressed that “you can’t please everyone” while discussing the intricacies of producing Gardeners’ World. The seasoned presenter, who has been at the helm of the beloved horticultural show for 20 years, offers viewers a glimpse into the care of his Longmeadow home.
Despite the joy it brings, Monty acknowledges there are “complications” in creating the programme. He shares that planning for each episode begins with a production meeting nearly three weeks before broadcast.
Consequently, filming spans across a week, leading up to when audiences tune in. This schedule requires Monty to plan garden tasks that remain pertinent for viewers three weeks on, without overlapping content from his co-presenters, reports Wales Online.
In his column for Gardeners’ World magazine, Monty explains: “When I go around the garden prior to the [production] meeting I am weighing up what will be relevant in three weeks’ time as well as what is looking at its best right now. I will also list the real-life garden jobs I want to get on with and share with you.”
He adds: “On top of this, I have to ensure I don’t duplicate any of the content of the films. It’s all quite a complicated jigsaw before we even begin.”
The process culminates in a carefully crafted episode that aims to cover diverse topics, though Monty is aware that “Over the course of the meeting, we will construct a programme that covers as many bases as possible, knowing that we will never please all viewers of every programme.”
Monty has expressed that he aims for each instalment of Gardeners’ World to strike “a balance of good films, seasonal jobs, and elements of Longmeadow that are personal and relevant”. The programme endeavors to cater to all types of gardens with pertinent advice.
As well as celebrating two decades at the helm of Gardeners’ World, Monty will this year celebrate his 15th year at Longmeadow in Herefordshire. The star bought the house, and its two-acre garden, in 1991 when it was a dilapidated property.
Through the years, Longmeadow has been transformed into a stunning space, boasting four unique sections of the garden. Now, with the aid of two full-time gardeners, Monty maintains the exquisiteness of Longmeadow, including the renowned Jewelled Garden.
Prior to taking over the property, Monty faced a challenging period when his costume business failed, which led to a personal breakdown, but he has since found solace in gardening, affirming it “eases a troubled mind – it is happiness”.
Gardeners’ World aficionados can look forward to a special highlights episode, featuring Monty as he demonstrates planting stepover pears – an ingenious method for integrating fruit trees into smaller gardens. The programme is scheduled to broadcast on BBC 2 at 9pm.