Monty Don has been the face of Gardeners’ World since 2003 and has become a national treasure, but the gardening expert has now shared his frustrations with the show
Matthew Davies and Matt Davies
15:53, 31 Oct 2025
Monty addressed the so-called “jobs for the weekend”(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Monty Don has opened up about what he considers the “bane” of his existence in a passionate outburst regarding a particular aspect of his BBC Gardeners’ World duties.
In footage that surfaced earlier this year on the Fane Productions YouTube channel, Monty offered behind-the-scenes glimpses into the work required to create the enduring BBC gardening series.
Speaking frankly about his role during An Audience with Monty Don at The Forum in Bath in January, the horticultural presenter outlined how episodes must be organised three weeks in advance.
Therefore, when he strolls through his stunning Longmeadow garden to determine what he’d like to capture on camera, he must consider whether a plant will “still be looking great” in two weeks or ten days when filming takes place.
Monty shared behind-the-scenes insights about Gardeners’ World(Image: Getty Images)
He must also think about whether it will connect with audiences “10 days after that,” reports Wales Online.
Monty then explained how they’ll “thrash it out” during discussions but highlighted that repetition isn’t permitted on the programme.
This means that if, for instance, Monty proposes a feature about strawberries, but it has already been covered, it won’t be approved. The same rule applies when other programmes overlap, such as a different show covering similar ground.
Monty then addressed the so-called “jobs for the weekend.”
He said: “There are the jobs for the weekend, and I have to say, I know they’re very popular, but they are the bane of my life. I long to say, ‘Jobs for the weekend, do what the f**k you like! I don’t care.’
“I’m really glad my wife isn’t here; she wouldn’t approve of that. Obviously, I care deeply about you and your gardens, but the serious point is that, for the beginning of the year, it’s easy.
“Lots of jobs to do, but after a bit, you know, we all weed all the time, we mow the grass all the time, we cut the hedges sort of twice a year. You can’t repeat jobs. ‘No, no, we’ve done that.'”
Monty Don has revealed what he views as the “bane” of his life in a fiery rant(Image: Getty Images)
In a separate development, Monty recently told Gardeners’ World magazine about the moment they “breathe a sigh of relief” when filming wraps at his garden at the end of October.
He revealed that they seize the chance to “bask in the lack of pressure” for several weeks, as they no longer need to prepare for the crew’s arrival.
Monty explained: “So we all breathe a sigh of relief, and for a couple of weeks we bask in the lack of pressure of not having to prepare for the arrival of the next film crew.”
However, with the harsh winter months approaching, Monty observed that he is entering the “busiest” time on the horticultural calendar and “can now make a mess.”
He continued: “For a start, we can now make a mess—a luxury that we now indulge in. All the housekeeping projects that have accumulated through the year can now be tackled.”
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