Introduction
Monty Don has become synonymous with British gardening television, guiding viewers through the changing seasons at his own Herefordshire garden, Longmeadow, for over two decades. As Gardeners’ World returns for another year in 2026, Don remains as central to the show as ever, alongside a growing catalog of international gardening documentaries.
This article explores his career, his beloved garden at Longmeadow, and what he’s presenting in 2026.
Who Is Monty Don?
Montagu Denis Wyatt Don, OBE, born George Montagu Don on July 8, 1955, in Iserlohn, Germany, is a British broadcaster and horticultural writer best known as the lead presenter of BBC’s Gardeners’ World. He has held this role since 2003, with a brief break between 2008 and 2011.
Beyond his signature show, Don has presented numerous international gardening documentary series, exploring gardens across Europe and beyond, cementing his reputation as one of Britain’s most trusted horticultural voices.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Montagu Denis Wyatt Don |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1955 |
| Birthplace | Iserlohn, Germany |
| Profession | Broadcaster, Horticultural Writer |
| Known For | Gardeners’ World (lead presenter since 2003) |
| Home Garden | Longmeadow, Herefordshire |
| Honors | OBE |
| Spouse | Sarah Don |
Early Career Before Gardening Television
Before becoming a broadcaster, Monty Don worked in an entirely different field: jewelry design and retail. He and his wife, Sarah, ran a jewelry business for years before financial difficulties led them to pivot toward writing and broadcasting about gardening, a passion that would eventually define the rest of his career.
This unconventional path into horticultural broadcasting has often been cited as part of what makes Don’s presenting style feel genuine and relatable, someone who came to gardening as a serious personal pursuit rather than purely as a career choice from the outset.
Monty Don and Gardeners’ World
Becoming the Face of the Show
Monty Don first became the lead presenter of Gardeners’ World in 2003, taking over one of British television’s longest-running programs, which first aired back in 1968. Except for a three-year break between 2008 and 2011, Don has remained the show’s central figure for over two decades.
Gardeners’ World airs on BBC Two between mid-March and late October each year, typically taking a winter break from November through February, supplemented by winter specials and compilation episodes to keep audiences engaged during the off-season.
Longmeadow: Monty Don’s Own Garden
Since 1991, Monty Don and his wife Sarah have lived at Longmeadow, their two-acre garden in Herefordshire, which has become the beating heart of Gardeners’ World. What began as an empty field required years of hard work and soil conditioning before it transformed into the lush, layered garden now familiar to millions of viewers.
Don has spoken about never anticipating that his personal garden would become one of the most-watched gardens on British television, a testament to how deeply personal and unscripted the show’s format has remained over the years.
Beloved Canine Co-Stars
Longmeadow’s appeal isn’t limited to its plants. Monty Don’s dogs have become fan favorites in their own right over the years, including the much-loved Nigel, who passed away in 2020, followed by Nellie, and currently Ned and Patti, who continue to make regular appearances alongside Don during filming.
Monty Don’s International Gardening Documentaries
Beyond his work at Longmeadow, Don has built an extensive catalog of travel-based gardening documentaries, exploring how gardens reflect the culture, climate, and history of different regions. His series have included:
- Monty Don’s French Gardens (2013)
- Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens (2022)
- Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens (2024)
- Monty Don’s British Gardens (2025)
- Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens (2026)
These documentaries have allowed Don to explore horticulture from a broader cultural perspective, complementing his weekly presence at Longmeadow with a more global view of gardening traditions.
Documentary Series Table
| Series | Focus | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Monty Don’s French Gardens | Gardens across France | 2013 |
| Monty Do’s Adriatic Gardens | Adriatic coastal gardens | 2022 |
| Monty Do’s Spanish Gardens | Gardens across Spain | 2024 |
| Monty Do’s British Gardens | Gardens across the UK | 2025 |
| Monty Do’s Rhineland Gardens | German Rhineland gardens | 2026 |
Gardeners’ World in 2026
A New Series Begins
Filming for the 2026 series of Gardeners’ World began in early March at Longmeadow, with the new season premiering on Friday, March 13, 2026, on BBC Two. Ahead of the new series, Don discussed his plans for the garden following a particularly wet winter, reflecting on the ongoing challenges of maintaining Longmeadow through changing weather patterns.
A Packed Winter Broadcasting Schedule
Even during the show’s traditional winter break, Monty Don remained a constant presence on British screens throughout late 2025 and early 2026, through a combination of Gardeners’ World Winter Specials, compilation episodes revisiting standout moments from previous series, and the premiere of Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens.
The Wider Gardeners’ World Team
While Don remains the show’s lead presenter, Gardeners’ World continues to feature a broader team of presenters, including Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson, Nick Bailey, Rachel de Thame, Carol Klein, and Joe Swift, each showcasing their own gardens and horticultural projects alongside Don’s work at Longmeadow.
Why Monty Don Remains Britain’s Most Trusted Gardener
Several factors continue to define his lasting popularity:
- Genuine, hands-on horticultural experience, built through decades of personal gardening at Longmeadow
- A uniquely personal broadcasting style, rooted in his own garden rather than a studio set
- A broad body of work, spanning both weekly television and international documentary series
- Consistent, decades-long presence, making him one of the most enduring figures in British broadcasting
FAQs About Monty Don
1. How old is Monty Don? Monty Don was born on July 8, 1955, making him 70 years old as of 2026.
2. How long has Monty Don presented Gardeners’ World? He has been the lead presenter since 2003, aside from a three-year break between 2008 and 2011.
3. What is Longmeadow? Longmeadow is Monty Don’s own two-acre garden in Herefordshire, which has served as the primary filming location for Gardeners’ World since he and his wife, Sarah, began developing it in 1991.
4. What did Monty Don do before becoming a broadcaster? He and his wife ran a jewelry design and retail business before financial difficulties led them to pursue writing and broadcasting about gardening instead.
5. What new series did Monty Don release in 2026? He presented Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens in early 2026, alongside the new season of Gardeners’ World, which premiered in March.
Conclusion
Monty Don’s journey from jewelry designer to Britain’s most recognizable gardening broadcaster reflects a career built on genuine passion rather than a conventional path to television stardom. Through more than two decades at the helm of Gardeners’ World and an expanding catalog of international documentaries, he continues to bring warmth, expertise, and authenticity to horticultural broadcasting.
As Longmeadow blooms once again for the 2026 series, Monty Don remains as central to British gardening culture as ever, a trusted guide through the changing seasons for millions of viewers.
