Gardeners' World Departure
Monty Don Announces Departure From Gardeners' World After 23 Years
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Key Points
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Don is a self-taught horticulturist who took over as presenter from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003, initially filming at Berryfields, a BBC-rented garden near Stratford-upon-Avon.
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He took a three-year break from presenting because of illness before returning in 2011, when the programme moved to Longmeadow; his dogs subsequently became much-loved fixtures alongside him.
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Don said he has presented roughly 700 episodes and described programme-making with the BBC team as a deeply rewarding experience, adding that he now believes it is “the right time for a change.”
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He had previously signalled that his departure was under consideration: in 2023, Don told Times Radio that he had intended to stop at 65 but would continue until 70 before reconsidering.
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Shortly before announcing his exit, Don recalled receiving “huge stick” from lawn-care professionals and rewilding advocates after offering contrasting advice about letting lawns grow long and creating a conventional lawn, saying, “you can’t please everybody.”
Monty Don is stepping down from BBC's Gardeners' World after 23 years as the show's lead presenter, ending his run this year. The self-taught horticulturist, who took over from Alan Titchmarsh in 2003 and has presented roughly 700 episodes, said now is "the right time for a change." The Guardian reports Don will continue writing books and developing programs with the BBC while still gardening at his Herefordshire home, Longmeadow.
Don's departure marks the end of an era for one of Britain's most beloved gardening programs. He took a three-year break from 2008 to 2011 following illness, then returned to shift the show's production to Longmeadow, his personal garden. Good Housekeeping notes that viewers became deeply attached to Don's calm presence and his dogs, who became fixtures on the program alongside him.
From Studio Garden to Longmeadow's Personal Touch
Don started at Berryfields, a BBC-rented garden near Stratford-upon-Avon, before moving to his own Longmeadow in 2011. This shift transformed the show from formal tutorials into an intimate, ongoing experience. Herald Scotland reports that viewers watched Don's garden develop over 16 years, following real successes and failures rather than staged instruction. His golden retrievers became beloved cast members, turning gardening into a domestic, relatable activity.
The personal setting proved revolutionary for gardening television. By filming at his own home, Don moved the show away from sterile studio presentation into a space where viewers felt invited. This approach linked gardening to wellbeing and mental health, making horticulture feel accessible rather than expert-only. The BBC praised Don's "soothing, calm presence" and his openness about depression, which reinforced the show's broader message: gardening matters to everyday life.
A Health Crisis That Almost Ended His Run
In 2008, Don suffered a minor stroke and subsequent illness that forced him to step back from presenting. The three-year absence tested both his recovery and viewer loyalty. Yahoo News notes that Don returned in 2011, a decision that proved pivotal. Rather than retreat into lighter duties, he doubled down by moving the entire show to Longmeadow, creating the intimate format that would define his final 15 years on air.
Don had previously hinted at his retirement timeline. In 2023, he told Times Radio he originally planned to leave at 65 but would continue until 70 before deciding. At 71, Don has now chosen to exit while still in strong health and demand, stating he wants time for new projects rather than waiting until forced to step down by circumstance.
Walking the Line Between Rewilding and Tradition
Shortly before his exit announcement, Don faced criticism from both sides of the gardening divide. Lawn-care professionals attacked him for suggesting lawns be left to grow long. Simultaneously, rewilding advocates criticized him when he created a conventional manicured lawn. Don reflected on the tension: "you can't please everybody." This friction highlights a broader shift in British gardening philosophy, one Don has navigated throughout his later years on air.
Don's pragmatic approach—offering context-specific advice rather than ideology—shaped how millions of Britons approached their gardens. His exit leaves a void not just in expertise but in a voice that refused easy answers. Good Housekeeping reports viewers expressed devastation over losing his calm authority, with some calling his departure devastating for the show's future identity and direction.
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