Gardeners’ World star Monty Don has shared the one gardening job he completes each year at this time because getting the timing right is crucial to ensure no damage is caused
Monty Don, pictured here during the Edinburgh International Book Festival, has shared which gardening job he always tackles at this time of the year(Image: Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images)
Monty Don has shared the one gardening job he always undertakes at this time of year to guarantee healthy garden growth.
The renowned horticulturist, broadcaster and author is celebrated for his gardening expertise, and is best known as the presenter of the popular BBC gardening programme Gardeners’ World.
Those with a passion for gardening understand that timing is crucial for when it comes to taking on many outdoor tasks. Addressing certain plants or lawns too early during cold weather can inflict significant harm, or impact the growth and visual appeal of your greenery for the remainder of the year.
Previously, Don has emphasised how important it is to avoid cutting grass too early during the winter. On his blog, he said: “Cutting too early during the colder months can damage your lawn, as grass doesn’t thrive in low temperatures.
“By mid-March, the weather in most parts of the UK has warmed enough to make mowing beneficial.”
The specialist often provides guidance and recommendations via social media, where he posts pictures taken in his garden and details the tasks he’s undertaken to maximise his outdoor spaces.
And now, he’s focused his attention on lime trees – another plant where proper timing is essential.
Posting on Instagram, Monty, 70, uploaded a series of images showcasing two rows of lime trees lining a stone pathway in his garden. While the trees are bare right now, this won’t be the case for long.
In the caption beneath his images, the horticulturalist provided further context. He wrote: “The limes have now had their annual cut and it won’t be long before the pruned knuckles will sprout new, leafy growth.”
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It’s best to trim lime trees once a year during early to mid-spring, before any flowering, guaranteeing any winter frost damage has passed. This consistent maintenance supports the tree’s wellbeing and dimensions while promoting fruit production.
Mature trees need less frequent attention and can be trimmed every one to three years to remove any dead wood, crossing branches or suckers, while younger plants may require lighter pruning more often.
In the comments section below his post, fellow Instagram users were eager to express their views. One said: “Just thinking about the lovely photos you’ve shown of the limes in summer and the wonderful ferns, just looks amazing.”
Another commented: “Very beautiful walking path with in lush green in spring and the winter look is also so good”.
A third said: “Looking good already”, while a fourth concurred: “Very pretty”.
Someone else added: “So beautiful!”
Monty Don began his television career in 1989, with a recurring gardening segment on This Morning which led to additional opportunities across various channels.
A successful writer, he’s written more than 25 books since his first was published in 1990. In 2003, following Alan Titchmarsh’s recommendation, he took over the role of main presenter on the popular BBC programme, Gardener’s World.
He has also written and produced several gardening series of his own, including 2026’s Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens.
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