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Monty Don has disclosed being rather “ruthless” with certain plants as he embarks on a revamp of his Longmeadow garden.
Reports have emerged that the acclaimed TV gardening expert is busy rejuvenating a part of his remarkable Herefordshire garden, specifically the area known as the Jewel Garden.
Fans of BBC Gardeners’ World will instantly recognise Monty’s iconic Longmeadow garden, segmented into various sections like the Jewel Garden, Paradise Garden, Wildlife Garden, Cottage Garden, and Vegetable Garden.
Referring to the Jewel Garden as the “physical and spiritual centre of the entire garden” on his own website, it’s currently undergoing its first transformation in over a decade, with Monty digging in deep after filming wrapped in October last year.
Monty seems unafraid to get brutally “ruthless”, chucking out flora that fail to “earn their keep”. He even listed which ones were getting the cut, reports Devon Live.
Writing in BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, Monty stated: “As space began to get short, we became increasingly ruthless about what we kept and what went to the compost heap. Even so, we still have hundreds of plants waiting to be replanted in spring.
“I have also been ruthless about removing shrubs that I don’t think earn their keep – so assorted tree peonies, lilacs, buddleias, sambucus, ribes and even a few roses have been dug up and shredded.
“If that sounds too draconian, we have taken cuttings of everything, as well as potting up runners and anything small enough to cope with the trauma of moving.”
He has spoken before about a certain plant that won’t grace his garden, confessing that “no magnolia” has ever thrived at Longmeadow due to “sharp late frosts”.
Monty opened up about the origins of the Jewel Garden on his website, saying: “It was made as a celebration of all the good things relating to our jewellery business in the 1980’s and all the colours are jewellery or metallic in some way and the tone just like the 1980’s – brash, extravagant and high maintenance!”
As the UK stands on the cusp of spring’s arrival, garden enthusiasts are turning their thoughts to the impending March planting season.
Sharing essential advice for those aiming to cultivate vegetables this year, Monty highlights the importance of soil temperature when sowing. He recommends ensuring that the soil has warmed to at least 7C before planting and suggests observing any emerging weed seedlings as indicators that the soil is ready.