Gardeners’ World star Monty Don has shared the essential annual gardening job he completes at this time of year, explaining that getting the timing right is essential to avoid any damage
Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter
13:03, 26 Feb 2026
Gardener Monty Don pictured with his golden retriever Ned during the preview day at the RHS Chelsea Flower show, in London, on May 19, 2025(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
Monty Don has revealed the gardening task he always tackles at this time of year to guarantee healthy garden growth.
The celebrated horticulturist, broadcaster, and author is well known and popular for his gardening expertise, best recognised for his role as lead presenter on the popular BBC gardening series, Gardeners’ World.
Any keen gardeners understand timing often proves crucial when embarking on certain gardening tasks. Treating or pruning particular plants or lawns during excessively cold periods can result in substantial damage, or impact the growth and aesthetic of your greenery throughout the rest of the year.
Previously, Don has emphasised the importance of avoiding cutting your grass too early during the winter. On his blog, he explained: “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 regularly provides guidance and tips on social media, where he posts photos taken in his garden and outlines tasks he’s undertaken to maximise his outdoor space.
Recently, he’s focused his attention on lime trees – another species where proper timing is key.
On Instagram, Monty, 70, uploaded an image showing two lines of lime trees bordering a stone pathway in his garden. While the trees appear bare at the moment, this won’t be the case for much longer.
In the caption, the horticulturalist provided further context and said: “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 prune lime trees annually during early to mid-spring, ahead of flowering, which ensures any possible winter frost damage has passed. This yearly trimming helps preserve a tree’s wellbeing and size while promoting fruit production.
Established, mature trees need less attention and can be pruned every one to three years to remove dead wood, crossing branches or suckers, whereas younger trees may require gentle shaping more frequently.
In the comments section beneath his post, fellow Instagram users were eager to share 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 said: “Very beautiful walking path with in lush green in spring and the winter look is also so good”.
A third commented: “Looking good already”, while a fourth agreed: “Very pretty”.
Someone else added: “So beautiful!”
Monty Don launched his TV career in 1989, with a recurring gardening slot on This Morning which paved the way for additional opportunities across various channels.
A prolific writer, he’s penned more than 25 books since his debut publication 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’s also written and produced numerous garden series of his own, including 2026’s Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens.
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