Monty Don is stepping down from the BBC's Gardeners' World after more than two decades. This departure threatens the jobs of his gardening staff at Longmeadow, as the broadcaster's financial support for their salaries will cease.
The BBC's salary contribution for two full-time gardeners
The financial stability of the Longmeadow estate is closely tied to a corporate contract. according to the report, Monty Don's agreement with the BBC required him to employ two full-time gardeners to ensure the grounds remained pristine while he filmed on location in regions such as India or the Rhine.. While the BBC contributed to these wages,the funding was not comprehensive, though Don described the support as a significant benefit.
The potential loss of this subsidy puts a ten-year veteran team at risk. The current staff at the Herefordshire home includes two gardeners, a landscaper, and a propagation expert. Because the BBC's financial contribution ends upon his departure, Monty Don has admitted he cannot afford to retain the full team unless the garden begins generating its own revenue.
Why a two-acre private garden won't open to the public
To solve the funding gap, Monty Don must find new income streams, but the most obvious solution—tourism—is off the table. Speaking at the RHS Malvern autumn flower show, Don stated that he will not open his two-acre private garden to the public. The primary obstacle is logistical; the village of Ivington cannot support the parking requirements that a high-profile public opening would demand.
This decision preserves the sanctuary that Monty Don and his wife, Sarah, have built since 1991. The estate evoved from a neglected field with a single hazel tree into a complex horticultural site featuring a vegetable garden, an Islamic-inspired paradise garden, and a "jewel garden." By rejecting the public-access model, Don is choosing privacy over the easiest path to financial sustainability for his staff.
The gap between the final series and mid-next year's income
There is a precarious timeline facing the Longmeadow team. While the final series hosted by Monty Don will air later this year, the report says that Don cannot realistically generate new income from the garden until the middle of next year at the earliest. This creates a several-month window of financial instability for the staff who have maintained the grounds for a decade.
This situation highlights a broader trend in "lifestyle" broadcasting, where the aesthetic of a private residence is subsidized by a network to serve as a set. When the production ends, the infrastructure supporting that aesthetic often collapses. It remains unclear exactly how Monty Don intends to monetize the land without public visitors, or if he will seek private sponsorships to keep his team employed.
From Gardeners' World to the filming of Island Gardens
Despite the staffing concerns, Monty Don is transitioning into a new phase of his career. After joining Gardeners' World in 2003 and hosting from Longmeadow since 2011, the 71-year-old horticulturist believes it is the right time for a change . BBC chief content officer Katie Phillips expressed sadness over his exit, praising Don's honesty regarding his struggles with depression and grief.
The transition will not be a total retirement. As reported, Monty Don will continue to write books and collaborate with the BBC on new ventures. Most notably, he is expected to begin filming a travel-focused program titled Island Gardens, which suggests his future work will shift from the domesticity of Herefordshire to a more global exploration of horticulture .
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