Monty Don has been the face of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World since 2003 and has won the hearts of the nation with his passion for horticulture in his own garden, Longmeadow
Beloved host of Gardeners’ World Monty Don has confessed to “faking” scenes on his popular BBC show. The 69-year-old horticulturist and broadcaster first graced our screens on the long-standing programme back in 2003, and since then, he’s become a national treasure with his heartwarming show.
Now, Monty has shed light on the creative measures taken to ensure certain segments are timely and relevant. In the latest issue of Gardeners’ World magazine, he revealed: “We start filming the new series of Gardeners’ World at the beginning of March.”
He went on to explain: “Filming at Longmeadow takes place on a Tuesday and Wednesday for the Friday of the following week, i.e. 10 days ahead of broadcast to allow time for the editing process”.
Monty Don has lifted the lid on some of Gardeners’ World’s biggest secrets (
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(Image: Brentwood Gazette))
He further added: “So, when I go round the garden prior to the meetings, I am weighing up what will be relevant in three weeks’ time, as well as what is looking at its best right now.”
Monty also shared: “I also list the real-life garden jobs I want to get on with and share with you,” before adding: “The production team then converts this plan into a filming schedule, while I brief my team in the garden on what they have to do for the programme, as well as what they must not do.”
The Express reports Monty has revealed some behind-the-scenes slip-ups on filming, including a time last October when he had to reverse gardeners’ hard work for the show: “Last October, the leaves on the Long Walk were immaculately raked and taken to the leafmould bay, but we wanted to film the process, so I had to scatter them over the grass again, ready for filming”.
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After landing a new gig away from Gardeners’ World, with his recent series Monty Don’s British Gardens being broadcast last month, fans were concerned about his tenure on the BBC favourite.
However, he reassured viewers, telling Radio Times: “I never make plans beyond two years, but I’ve agreed to do another two (from January 2025).
“Every time I think, ‘Am I really going to do this?’ But the truth is that I do enjoy it. I’m lucky because it’s in my own garden. If the programme is made well, I’ll continue.”
