Longmeadow, the celebrated two-acre Herefordshire garden featured on the BBC program Gardeners’ World, faces staffing uncertainty after presenter Monty Don announced he may have to let go of the full-time team who maintain the grounds. Don disclosed the potential cuts while speaking at the RHS Malvern autumn flower show, following his recent announcement that he is leaving the long-running gardening show after 23 years.
BBC Funding and Contractual Gardener Requirements
For the past 15 years, Don has hosted Gardeners’ World from his private backyard in the village of Ivington. Maintaining the space to a broadcast-ready standard required consistent professional help. According to Don, his original BBC contract from 2011 explicitly mandated two full-time gardeners to keep the grounds in shape while he traveled for international filming assignments in locations such as India or the Rhine.
The broadcaster provided a financial contribution toward the wages of those two roles. With Don’s departure from the program, that funding stream will disappear. Don’s current team consists of a propagation expert and a landscaper who have worked alongside him for a decade.
Operational Reality at Longmeadow: Creating a television-ready garden requires intensive management. Don noted that when he is away filming overseas, somebody has got to be getting it ready so the grounds maintain their seasonal appeal for viewers.
Future Financial Plans for the Private Herefordshire Estate
Because the BBC’s wage contributions are set to end, Don stated that he must find alternative revenue streams to cover staff costs. He ruled out opening the two-acre private space to the general public, citing that organising parking in the area would be too difficult.
Instead, Don indicated he will explore methods to earn something from the garden, though any new initiatives cannot launch before the middle of next year at the earliest. Don and his wife, Sarah, originally established the property in 1991 when it was a neglected field containing a single hazel tree. Today, the space is divided into four distinct sections: the shrub-rose-filled cottage garden, the vibrant jewel garden, the Islamic-inspired paradise garden, and a productive vegetable plot.
Did you know? Longmeadow is structured into four distinct horticultural zones—including a paradise garden and a vegetable patch yielding produce almost year-round—all established from a neglected field over three decades ago.
Upcoming Projects and Final Episodes
Although Don is stepping away from Gardeners’ World after more than two decades, he will maintain a working relationship with the BBC. He plans to focus on writing books and is scheduled to begin filming a new travel program titled Island Gardens. Viewers will continue to see Don host the final series of Gardeners’ World from Longmeadow through the remainder of the broadcast year.
Monty Don faces staff funding changes as BBC contract ends
Why might Monty Don lose his gardeners?
The BBC contractually required Don to employ two full-time gardeners and contributed toward their salaries since 2011. With Don leaving Gardeners’ World, that financial contribution will end, forcing him to find alternative ways to fund the staff.
What are Monty Don’s next career steps?
Don will continue working with the BBC on other television projects, including an upcoming travel series called Island Gardens, alongside writing books and managing personal projects.
How long has Longmeadow existed?
Don and his wife, Sarah, created the two-acre garden in 1991, transforming what was then a neglected field with a single hazel tree into the property seen on television today.
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