Monty Don is a very familiar face to keen gardeners – especially those who tune into BBC Two's Gardeners' World.
But what did he do before he started presenting the programme? As he begins plans to design his first RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, we take a look at the life and career of the horticulturist.
Who is Monty Don?
Monty Don is a gardening presenter, horticulturalist and writer. He's perhaps best-known for being the lead presenter on BBC Two's Gardeners' World, with his canine companions often appearing beside him.
How old is Monty Don?
Monty Don was born on 8 July 1955.
Where does Monty Don live?
Monty Don lives in Herefordshire. He regularly posts pictures of his garden, called Longmeadow, on his Instagram account.
Who is Monty Don's wife?
Monty is married to Sarah Don, who he met at university. The pair set up a costume jewellery business after university, which later went into liquidation. Both Monty and Sarah love gardening, and they've written two gardening books together.
How did Monty Don start gardening?
In one of his columns in The Observer, Don wrote that he started gardening aged eight but didn't initially enjoy it. He grew to love it as an adult and spent three years working on farms after school, and took on gardening jobs during college.
Is Monty Don a qualified gardener?
Despite his knowledge and passion for horticulture, Monty Don has never received formal training – making him the first self-taught horticulturalist to present Gardeners' World. Interestingly, he is distantly related to Scottish botanist George Don, who worked for the RHS and authored many plant species.
Monty Don received an honorary degree from the University of Stirling for his contribution to horticulture, broadcasting, and charity.
When did Monty Don first start presenting?
After contributing to various newspaper gardening columns, Monty Don was invited to a screen test for TV. He made his TV debut on ITV's This Morning in 1989. More presenting roles followed on BBC Television and Channel 4.
When did Monty Don start presenting Gardeners World?
Monty Don took over from Alan Titchmarsh (on Titchmarsh's advice) as the lead presenter of Gardeners' World in 2003 and is the current lead presenter. Don took a break from presenting due to illness between 2008-2011.
Don initially filmed episodes in a rented garden in Stratford-upon-Avon, then presented from his own garden, Longmeadow, from his return in 2011.
Is Longmeadow Monty's own garden?
Monty and Sarah Don's garden is called Longmeadow, which frequently features on Gardeners' World. When the couple bought the house and garden in 1991, the garden consisted of a two acre field that was largely empty. Now, it's split up into different sections: The Cottage Garden, The Jewel Garden, The Paradise Garden and The Vegetable Garden.
How many gardeners are employed at Longmeadow?
In an interview with Monty Don, the Guardian states that two full-time gardeners help maintain Longmeadow.
Is Monty Don doing the Chelsea Flower Show?
After presenting coverage of RHS Chelsea Flower Show for many years, Monty Don will be designing his first garden for the show in 2025. The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden will reflect the special place that dogs hold in our hearts and gardens, as well as raise awareness of plants that are toxic to dogs. It will be moved to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home after the show.
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