I love Monty Don! (Really, many British shows settle my mind. I love the Great British Baking Show because all the competitors are kind and helpful to each other. It’s restorative. And on The Repair Shop, experts work in a thatched Cotswold barn to bring life back to old heirlooms. The accents, the pace, and the “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude are balms for the frenzied and frazzled American soul.
I just found you yesterday & this piece makes me so glad I subscribed! Thank you! I’m less of a gardener- I live in the desert- but I grow drought tolerant flowering perennials & tend chickens & ducks & bees. Same vibe. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you (and checking out your past work. )
As a gardening Brit it gladdens my heart to learn that Monty is doing such sterling work across the pond. He has long been a great favourite here and I have little doubt that he would be modestly thrilled to learn he is having such an effect on you.
If you would like something to listen to which is on the same lines I can recommend BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time. Broadcast weekly but like Desert island discs - (another treasure you may enjoy) - it is available in perpetuity on BBC Sounds. If you can pick it up I strongly recommend both.
Ann, my 91-year-old English father-in-law has been a Gardener's Question Time fan since the beginning, and while his gardening has slowed down a lot in the last few years, he still passes on wisdom to me (not always that applicable to my hot, dry American garden, but still...)
That’s marvellous Ellen. It’s a wonderful way to keep fit physically and mentally I think whether you garden in presently soggy Britain or the U.S. desert. I hope he is able to enjoy his garden for many more years and to continue to pass his gardening wisdom onto you.
I wish that I could feel that happiness in my yard again. I finally gave up two years ago, as my neighbors devolved into haters and aggressive behavior has taken over. Here in Independence, MO, attitudes tend toward hostile unless you have a plain plant bare patch of grass mowed within an inch of it's life. I have been trying over 2 dozen years, to foster native plants and make a place that flora and fauna want to hang out. I just need to move to the countryside, but financially I have to stay here. Wish me luck - maybe I will start watching Monty Don and catch the bug again.
Mary, that sounds so discouraging. You might take some inspiration from Julie Farstad, who is an instructor at the Kansas City Art Institute and brings knowledge and appreciation of native plants to her art and to her KC neighborhood. Here's a link to a webinar she presented. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4pWyz28c1I
I absolutely love this. I am a gardener too. The daffodils are beginning to bloom in California and my yard full of oxalis is heavy with honey bees. A red headed woodpecker is slowly eroding the ugly telephone pole that blocks our view making me think there’s more right in the world than we might believe 😊🌷🌻🦋
We can celebrate the fact that in spite of all the hyped right-wing hate, dishonesty and destruction, Life also gives us people like Monty Don, who not just present us with beauty, but gently teach us how to produce beauty in our own lives. Yet gardening is just one form of beauty. We have to but look around us to find our own “gardens.” Thank you, Jess, for carrying on this tradition in your work and your words. 👍
Such a lovely piece!! And I also love Monty Don❤️. I needed a reminder to go back to him to nourish my inner garden in order to keep my activism going in our crazy state of South Carolina and this ole US of A!
Oh, my gosh, I too discovered Monty Don during the pandemic and I think honestly his gentle show got me through those years and continue to keep me calm. I watch an episode a night usually, like you, on my own, and I instantly breathe deeper and more slowly when I hear the music and then his voice. He’s a zen master for sure!
Beautifully written, Jess. I am a gardener as well and am also in need of relaxing :) I will definitely add this show to YouTube. Thanks for all you do!
I'm having some trouble letting go of my life, basically -- or, what was my life before I got old and with a few health issues and very little money. Sold my house because I couldn't pay the upkeep and have been in apts. for the last 4 years. I can't tell you how much I miss my gardens: at one point I had blackberries, culinary and medicinal herbs, old roses, native shrubs and I took up most of the grass in my front lawn and made giant beds of plants. Thanks for such a lovely visit to your garden(s) and the recommendation to tune in to Monty Don. And, thank you for your hard work in politics which seems mostly to be such a thankless task these days ... or even a dangerous one. You take care of yourself and keep blooming!
Thanks to Jessica Craven for restacking you in her post today, and thank you for the work you put in with such energy and commitment.
My partner and I have been regular watchers of Monty Don for what seems like at least a decade. You're absolutely right - he's calming and inspirational. The tenor of his voice and the slow, deliberate way he moves through the garden scenes in his shows has an infectious zen-like feel.
We had and have stressful careers in winegrowing and biotech. Our small suburban "farm" provides solace. I take care of the chickens, the trees and the herbs. She takes care of the fruits, vegetables and flowers. I do the peppers, though, and we share in the care of the citrus.
Monty Don has always helped us confirm the value in the work we put in, while giving us a cultural window in to the British obsession with landscape and gardening.
I read somewhere that he has struggled with depression his whole life, and it seems to me that his commitment to growing things has helped him cope. From my own experience it has helped me cope with PTSD and anxiety. I admire and respect Monty Don on many levels. Thank you for sharing how his passion has helped you keep up your activism by also helping you maintain a perspective on it.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to attend the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. When Monty Don showed up in his famous purple/blue sack suit, the crowd whispered his name in awed unison. I spend way too much money for subscriptions to British gardening magazines just to read abut Monty Don, see his work, and learn about his philosophy of life, including caring for the Earth.
I love Monty Don (and Adam, and Francis, and Arit, and Carol, and the whole cast of presenters). They're informative without being preachy, and it's so calming to escape to Long Meadow for an hour every Saturday morning.
I watch Monty Don too, and he is truly a calming voice and stress-reliever in a very turbulent world. I love his enthusiasm as he describes his plants, and how to grow vegetables!! I have Britbox, and there are years of episodes to watch. I don't know what I'll do if I ever really see them all! His voice, demeanor, and beautiful Longmeadow are just my greatest peace and joy.
I love Monty Don! (Really, many British shows settle my mind. I love the Great British Baking Show because all the competitors are kind and helpful to each other. It’s restorative. And on The Repair Shop, experts work in a thatched Cotswold barn to bring life back to old heirlooms. The accents, the pace, and the “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude are balms for the frenzied and frazzled American soul.
I started my love of British shows with Absolutely Fabulous!
I just found you yesterday & this piece makes me so glad I subscribed! Thank you! I’m less of a gardener- I live in the desert- but I grow drought tolerant flowering perennials & tend chickens & ducks & bees. Same vibe. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you (and checking out your past work. )
Thank you, friend!
As a gardening Brit it gladdens my heart to learn that Monty is doing such sterling work across the pond. He has long been a great favourite here and I have little doubt that he would be modestly thrilled to learn he is having such an effect on you.
If you would like something to listen to which is on the same lines I can recommend BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time. Broadcast weekly but like Desert island discs - (another treasure you may enjoy) - it is available in perpetuity on BBC Sounds. If you can pick it up I strongly recommend both.
Ann, my 91-year-old English father-in-law has been a Gardener's Question Time fan since the beginning, and while his gardening has slowed down a lot in the last few years, he still passes on wisdom to me (not always that applicable to my hot, dry American garden, but still...)
That’s marvellous Ellen. It’s a wonderful way to keep fit physically and mentally I think whether you garden in presently soggy Britain or the U.S. desert. I hope he is able to enjoy his garden for many more years and to continue to pass his gardening wisdom onto you.
I wish that I could feel that happiness in my yard again. I finally gave up two years ago, as my neighbors devolved into haters and aggressive behavior has taken over. Here in Independence, MO, attitudes tend toward hostile unless you have a plain plant bare patch of grass mowed within an inch of it's life. I have been trying over 2 dozen years, to foster native plants and make a place that flora and fauna want to hang out. I just need to move to the countryside, but financially I have to stay here. Wish me luck - maybe I will start watching Monty Don and catch the bug again.
Mary, that sounds so discouraging. You might take some inspiration from Julie Farstad, who is an instructor at the Kansas City Art Institute and brings knowledge and appreciation of native plants to her art and to her KC neighborhood. Here's a link to a webinar she presented. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4pWyz28c1I
I absolutely love this. I am a gardener too. The daffodils are beginning to bloom in California and my yard full of oxalis is heavy with honey bees. A red headed woodpecker is slowly eroding the ugly telephone pole that blocks our view making me think there’s more right in the world than we might believe 😊🌷🌻🦋
We can celebrate the fact that in spite of all the hyped right-wing hate, dishonesty and destruction, Life also gives us people like Monty Don, who not just present us with beauty, but gently teach us how to produce beauty in our own lives. Yet gardening is just one form of beauty. We have to but look around us to find our own “gardens.” Thank you, Jess, for carrying on this tradition in your work and your words. 👍
Such a lovely piece!! And I also love Monty Don❤️. I needed a reminder to go back to him to nourish my inner garden in order to keep my activism going in our crazy state of South Carolina and this ole US of A!
Oh, my gosh, I too discovered Monty Don during the pandemic and I think honestly his gentle show got me through those years and continue to keep me calm. I watch an episode a night usually, like you, on my own, and I instantly breathe deeper and more slowly when I hear the music and then his voice. He’s a zen master for sure!
Yes!
Gardeners World got me through Covid! What a blessing✨
Same!
You should follow Garden Answer on FB and U tube! She is in Oregon and is very inspiring! I love gardening too and feel the same way! Much luv to u!
Doing that now!
Beautifully written, Jess. I am a gardener as well and am also in need of relaxing :) I will definitely add this show to YouTube. Thanks for all you do!
Solidarity!
I'm having some trouble letting go of my life, basically -- or, what was my life before I got old and with a few health issues and very little money. Sold my house because I couldn't pay the upkeep and have been in apts. for the last 4 years. I can't tell you how much I miss my gardens: at one point I had blackberries, culinary and medicinal herbs, old roses, native shrubs and I took up most of the grass in my front lawn and made giant beds of plants. Thanks for such a lovely visit to your garden(s) and the recommendation to tune in to Monty Don. And, thank you for your hard work in politics which seems mostly to be such a thankless task these days ... or even a dangerous one. You take care of yourself and keep blooming!
Thanks to Jessica Craven for restacking you in her post today, and thank you for the work you put in with such energy and commitment.
My partner and I have been regular watchers of Monty Don for what seems like at least a decade. You're absolutely right - he's calming and inspirational. The tenor of his voice and the slow, deliberate way he moves through the garden scenes in his shows has an infectious zen-like feel.
We had and have stressful careers in winegrowing and biotech. Our small suburban "farm" provides solace. I take care of the chickens, the trees and the herbs. She takes care of the fruits, vegetables and flowers. I do the peppers, though, and we share in the care of the citrus.
Monty Don has always helped us confirm the value in the work we put in, while giving us a cultural window in to the British obsession with landscape and gardening.
I read somewhere that he has struggled with depression his whole life, and it seems to me that his commitment to growing things has helped him cope. From my own experience it has helped me cope with PTSD and anxiety. I admire and respect Monty Don on many levels. Thank you for sharing how his passion has helped you keep up your activism by also helping you maintain a perspective on it.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to attend the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. When Monty Don showed up in his famous purple/blue sack suit, the crowd whispered his name in awed unison. I spend way too much money for subscriptions to British gardening magazines just to read abut Monty Don, see his work, and learn about his philosophy of life, including caring for the Earth.
I love Monty Don (and Adam, and Francis, and Arit, and Carol, and the whole cast of presenters). They're informative without being preachy, and it's so calming to escape to Long Meadow for an hour every Saturday morning.
I watch Monty Don too, and he is truly a calming voice and stress-reliever in a very turbulent world. I love his enthusiasm as he describes his plants, and how to grow vegetables!! I have Britbox, and there are years of episodes to watch. I don't know what I'll do if I ever really see them all! His voice, demeanor, and beautiful Longmeadow are just my greatest peace and joy.