There were strict rules around the size of carrots, too
David spent a year working in Highgrove’s walled garden
King Charles’ former kitchen gardener has offered a glimpse into the monarch’s rather specific veg preferences, revealing that squash and courgettes were strictly off the menu – while carrots had to be grown to a precise size.
David Pearce, 29, spent a year growing fruit and vegetables for The King in his kitchen garden, gaining a unique insight into the monarch’s tastes.
Despite being famously passionate about all things green, the environmentally-minded Charles apparently had a distinct list of dislikes when it came to his produce. David managed the mixed beds at the heart of the kitchen garden, catering to the King’s very particular requirements.
David says The King made sure to walk the gardens and point out any changes he wanted
David, who is the youngest curator of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, said: “I spent about a year working for His Royal Highness in the kitchen garden, growing fruit and vegetables and wonderful things that went into his dinners and lunches. We were growing mostly things he requested himself – a whole bed of salad and two whole beds of asparagus, he was very keen on that.”
He added: “Things like cauliflower, and he particularly liked his crudité carrots – we would have to grow them to a particular size, of your little finger. He particularly liked spinach. We grew onions, leeks and Florence fennel. It was mostly working with him and his individual preferences. But squash was off the cards, and absolutely no courgettes.”
David, who described having a “feral” upbringing on the fringes of the New Forest, said: “I was running around having a wonderful time. Everything was wild and wonderful and exotic. Weighing up my career options, I loved the idea of being outside, growing things – the science and the art of it. And on a bit of a whim, I applied for an apprenticeship at Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight.”
He then secured a position at Wisley, where the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship Surrey garden operates one of the oldest horticultural training programmes in the world. David’s time was divided between working amongst 300 acres of meticulously maintained planting during the day, and completing coursework on his laptop in the evenings.
Following his graduation during the pandemic, he secured employment at Highgrove, the private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, located near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
Now, David works at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Nestled within woodland, the one-acre walled garden features a geometric layout, blooms with blossom in spring, and operates under strictly organic principles. David describes his royal employer’s environmental views and as being ahead of his time. “When everyone else was primping lawns, he was cultivating wildflower meadows as far as the eye could see,” David said.
Chemical sprays were forbidden – instead, electric devices were used for pest control alongside various innovative techniques for managing weeds without resorting to chemicals.
David says the then Prince of Wales wasn’t always present on site – this was a period when preparations were quietly underway for ‘the big transition’ – but when he was there, he insisted on a morning walk around the garden. David added: “We would have the opportunity to walk around with him. He would tell us what particular things he wanted, when he wanted them.”
Following his time at Highgrove, David transferred to Whatley Manor, a five-star Cotswolds hotel renowned for its arts and crafts movement-inspired gardens. There, he managed his own garden space, taking charge of design choices and starting to put his own vision into practice. His next move brought him to Abbotsbury.
David said: “I always recognised it as one of the greatest gardens in the world. I thought to run Abbotsbury would be the most amazing job in the world.”
He took up the position three years ago at one of England’s most impressive walled gardens. David added: “It can take several years before you really understand a place. With historic gardens, it’s important not to rush into any major decisions. I have had to learn over the past three years, but I have finally started to get my head around the gardens here.”
He explained that every day brings something different. He leads a five-strong gardening team, with each member taking responsibility for a distinct section of the grounds, while also overseeing health and safety for the tens of thousands of annual visitors.
What truly excites David is the spell that Abbotsbury casts over those who visit. “The magic of Abbotsbury is we transport visitors to a completely different landscape,” he said.
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