Monty Don admitted this time of year is “low” for him as he suffers from the same condition every year – but there is one thing he does between Christmas and New Year that helps him symptoms
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
07:00, 05 Dec 2025
Monty Don suffers from seasonal affective disorder (Image: BBC)
TV icon Monty Don conceded that December is a “low time of year” for him as he battles with a condition that around two million Brits suffer from.
The Gardeners’ World host has spoken openly about his struggle with seasonal affective disorder, which impacts around three in 100 people in the UK.
The popular TV presenter said down some gardening in his famous Longmeadow garden between Christmas and New Year normally helps to alleviate his symptoms.
Speaking to Gardeners’ World magazine, Monty said: “”December can be a low time of year for me psychologically, as I am prone to seasonal affective disorder, but my spirits always rise when we get to Boxing Day.
“Even if it’s filthy weather, I always do some gardening – I go to the potting shed and sow some tomatoes, chillies and onions. It gives me the sense that we are working towards spring.
The gardening presenter has spoken openly about his health battle (Image: Brentwood Gazette)
“If the weather allows, I will start pruning the apples. It takes me about a week to prune the orchard, and I really enjoy it in dry, cold weather.
“I’m very happy doing that job in the quiet week between Christmas and New Year.”
According to the NHS, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.
SAD is sometimes called “winter depression” because the symptoms are more apparent and more severe during the winter months. Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter.
Symptoms of the condition include but aren’t limited to a persistent low mood, irritability, feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness, craving carbohydrates and gaining weight, and difficult concentrating.
The exact cause of SAD is still still not fully understood, but it’s often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days.
The NHS suggests visiting your GP if symptoms persist and you’re struggling to cope.
It comes after Monty admitted a “disaster” at his beloved Longmeadow taught him a “really important lesson”. He recounted a “pretty big disaster” that befell his renowned Herefordshire garden.
Monty Don(Image: Getty Images)
He explained how the garden was struck by box blight, a rapidly-spreading fungal infection that targets the foliage and stems of box plants.
Whilst Monty maintains he doesn’t believe it was his responsibility as “everything had a box hedge”, it did educate the distinguished presenter on how to “avoid disasters”.
Speaking on the BBC Gardeners’ World podcast, he said: “I don’t try and grow anything that doesn’t want to be there. I think that’s really important.
“Sarah and I always say, we don’t want anything in our garden that doesn’t want to be in our garden.”
Gardeners’ World’s second Winter Special airs tonight (Friday, December 5) from 9pm to 10pm on BBC Two.
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