The beloved gardener reflects on life under constant observation as filming wraps for the season

Monty Don has discussed his life with the Gardeners’ World film crew(Image: GETTY)

Monty Don has spoken candidly about the “scrutiny and pressure” that comes with filming BBC’s Gardeners’ World, as he quietly marks the end of another season at his cherished Longmeadow garden.

The much-loved gardening expert, who has fronted the programme for decades, admitted he feels a sense of relief now that the cameras have packed up for the year — allowing him to work without the watchful eye of the filming crew.

Monty Don(Image: BBC)

Writing in BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Monty explained that production will not resume until spring, and the temporary “lack of pressure” has come as a welcome boost.

‘We’re Happy to Do Without It for a Few Months’

Monty Don (Image: Getty Images)

Reflecting on the work ahead during the winter months, Monty questioned whether some tasks should even be filmed at all.

“Should we be filming all of this? Probably,” he wrote.
“I would not mind at all, but there is no doubt that filming would make it all take twice as long, and add a level of scrutiny and pressure that we are happy to do without for a few winter months — before the filming circus returns all too quickly next February.”

While Monty is well accustomed to the programme’s long-established filming schedule, he acknowledged that it doesn’t always sit well with viewers.

Loyal Viewers Want More — But Change Is Unlikely

“This timetable has remained constant for the past 20 years or so,” Monty explained.
“Although I suspect that most viewers would like us to carry on throughout winter.

“However, the commissioning and scheduling of programmes moves in mysterious ways, so it is unlikely to change in a hurry.”

Despite his continued success on screen, Monty admitted that life in the garden has become increasingly challenging — largely due to the unpredictable British climate.

Battling Floods and Extreme Weather at Longmeadow

Earlier this month, Monty revealed on Instagram that his Herefordshire home, which he shares with his wife Sarah and their two dogs, had been affected by flooding.

“There has been really bad flooding in this part of the country,” he wrote.
“Homes and businesses have suffered very badly, so we are lucky that it is just the fields and garden that is wet here.”

It is far from the first time Monty has spoken openly about the pressures climate change is placing on gardeners across the UK.

‘It’s the Extremes That Are the Problem’

Speaking previously on the Talking Gardens podcast, Monty explained that it is not gradual change but weather extremes that are proving most difficult.

“It’s the extremes of weather rather than the weather trends that are the problem,” he said.
“So we are getting very wet weather, very dry weather, very cold weather and very hot weather.”

As filming pauses and winter sets in, Monty appears grateful for a brief return to gardening away from the cameras — even as he prepares to face the growing challenges nature continues to throw his way.

Source: DailyMail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/