See Monty Don at BBC Gardeners’ World Live on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 of June. Book seats in the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre or drop into the Let’s Talk Plants Stage to see Monty on the stage.

 

Monty was born in 1955, brought up in Hampshire where he gardened from a young age, and educated at a variety of schools and at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

From the early 1980’s Monty and his wife Sarah set up and ran a jewellery business which enjoyed a great flurry of success in the mid eighties but folded in 1990 just as Monty’s television and writing career was taking off. But he says “I learned much more from the failure of our business than I did from its success.”

Monty first appeared on television in 1989 on This Morning and continued as their regular gardening expert for 8 years and has now presented gardening and travel programmes for over twenty years. He became the lead presenter for the BBC flagship programme Gardeners’ World between 2003 and 2008 and then again from 2011 when Monty began hosting Gardeners’ World from his home Longmeadow in Herefordshire. He is also the main presenter for the Chelsea Flower Show coverage for BBC2.

His other TV credits include, Tomorrow’s World, Fork to Fork, Real Gardens, Lost Gardens Around The World In 80 Gardens, Growing Out Of Trouble, My Dream Farm and Mastercrafts. Monty presented a series on Italian Gardens on BBC2 which was followed by another on French Gardens.  In 2014 presented a series called Real Craft for More4 and Big Dreams Small Spaces for the BBC. Monty’s latest series for BBC2 The Secret History of the British Garden is due for transmission in 2015.

Further, he has recently finished recording the second series of Shared Planet for Radio 4. In this programme Monty explores the complex interface between a growing human population and wildlife.

He is a prolific journalist and was the Observer’s gardening editor from 1994 until 2006 and now writes a regular column for the Daily Mail and Gardeners’ World Magazine. He has written over 20 books including the best selling Fork to Fork, The Sensuous Garden, The Jewel Garden (with Sarah Don), The Complete Gardener and most recently, The Road to Le Tholonet.

Monty is a committed organic gardener and was for many years the President of the Soil Association. He has worked with schools, and groups of drug addicts to build respect and reward from working with the natural world and has a strong belief in the importance of communities working together through an understanding and love of the land.

New year, new garden, new trends!

We’re through the garden gate into 2023, with a host of gardening trends blooming throughout the country. From house plants reaching dizzying heights of popularity, to the colour of the year ‘Viva Magenta’, read on for our full list of trends.

To get up close and personal with fresh garden inspiration, new plants, the latest gardening kit and more, join us in 2023.

Colour of the Year 2023

Hand-picked by Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as ‘Viva Magenta. 

Pantone describe the colour as ‘brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.’

Discover a world of colour and scent in the stunning Floral Marquee,  bursting with award-winning nurseries and display.

Sustainable gardening

Whilst your garden might seem to already be very green, it can always be greener!

Discover ways you can make gardening more sustainable, like upcycling common items to make stylish features. What was a pallet, hessian bags, bits of pipe, and tin cans, could become a planter, grow bags, water features, and wildlife habitats.

Be inspired by the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editorial team as they’re joined by experts to give tips and advice.

Grow your own food

Looking to go from soil to supper this year? Get brilliant advice from the National Allotment Society at the event.

Peat-free gardening

Learn about the latest peat-free compost from exhibitors who can offer face-to-face advice.

Indoor gardening

Foliage doesn’t just belong outside – bring nature indoors and be inspired by the Houseplant Hub.

Mindful gardening

Beautiful Borders returns with this year’s theme ‘My Garden Escape’ to give you space savvy ideas.

Gardening on a budget

Discover different ways you can let your garden bloom under a tighter budget, with advice from expert gardeners.

Fermented foods

Visit the BBC Good Food Summer Show (with free entry with your ticket!) and discover the latest foodie trends.

Feeling inspired? Find out what else is happening at BBC Gardeners’ World Live this June!