A Gardeners’ World presenter has issued a “sad” goodbye to the popular BBC show as he reflected on the one aspect of life in Britain that has been “difficult to predict for gardeners”
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
17:00, 07 Nov 2025
A Gardeners’ World presenter said a ‘sad’ goodbye to the show (Image: BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine/Ja)
One Gardeners’ World favourite reflected on the “sad” end of the show’s main series for 2025 as he bemoaned a gardening trend that can be ‘difficult’ for people to predict.
According to expert Joe Swift, who stars on the BBC show, this year has presented issues for green-fingered Brits due to the weather.
It has been “warm, very dry and sunnier than most (years)” which have presented some difficulties for gardeners in choosing what to plant in their gardens.
Writing in the Radio Times, Joe said: “Sadly it’s that time of year where the Gardeners’ World main series is over (although there are some fabulous winter specials coming up) and I say goodbye for the winter months.
“It’s been quite a memorable gardening year. Warm, very dry and sunnier than most – which is likely to become the norm going forward.
“But this is difficult for gardeners to predict so it certainly puts ‘resilient gardening’ on the agenda.”
Joe Swift reflected on a ‘difficult’ year for gardeners (Image: Getty Images)
According to Joe, this means people have to be very particular when it comes to choosing which plants they want.
They need to fit some specific characteristics, including being able to cope with the “more extreme weather conditions” that seem to be impacting Britain on a regular basis.
Joe added: “This basically means choosing plants that don’t need mollycoddling and watering, and can cope with more extreme weather conditions, like ornamental grasses, hardy geraniums and tough viburnums.
“It doesn’t mean the garden has to be boring in any way, as there are plenty of exciting plants out there to work with – but a little more thought might go into choosing them.
“Gardeners are custodians of patches of land for a snapshot in time. I, for one, want to garden mine sustainably – and try to leave it more healthy and biodiverse than I found it.”
It comes after Gardeners’ World’s main presenter Monty Don clarified an eyebrow-raising remark he previously made about his future on the much-loved BBC gardening show.
In 2023, he suggested he might consider stepping back from the programme ahead of his 70th birthday, prompting concern among long-time viewers.
Joe Swift (right) gave gardeners some tips for what to plant in extreme weather (Image: BBC)
But he went on to reassure fans that he was staying put for now, adding to The Telegraph: “But I’d be very happy to do another five years. If the BBC renew my contract, I’d happily take it.”
More recently, he confirmed he had agreed to continue presenting for at least two more years, starting from January 2025.
Monty’s original comment came during a discussion about his career future on Times Radio. Aged 68 at the time, the gardening expert said “the logical thing to do” would be to eventually step away from the show.
“The serious point is I will be 70 in two years’ time,” he said.
Catch Gardeners’ World on BBC Two tonight (Friday, November 7) at 8pm. Frances Tophill and Nick Bailey are among the presenters.
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