BBC gardening icon Monty Don has made a surprising career confession, stating he would never undertake a Chelsea Flower Show display again. The Gardeners' World presenter, who debuted his own garden at the prestigious event in 2025, described the experience as intensely demanding during a recent appearance on BBC Breakfast.
A Major Operation
Speaking to hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent about the upcoming RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the 70-year-old horticulturalist reflected on his own participation last year. "It's a hell of a thing, it's a major operation," Monty revealed. "It's very full on, really full on and a wonderful experience, but I'd never do it again."
Advice for David Beckham
The conversation turned to reports that football legend David Beckham might create his own Chelsea display this year. Monty offered candid advice for any celebrity attempting the challenge. "If he's going to do it, by the time he's done, he's going to be one tired man," he warned.
Monty emphasized the all-consuming nature of creating a Chelsea garden. "Forget your family, forget the rest of your life, you're going to spend 24 hours a day working on it," he told the BBC presenters. Despite his own reluctance to repeat the experience, he expressed enthusiasm about seeing Beckham's potential creation.
Dog-Friendly Debut
Monty Don's 2025 Chelsea Flower Show garden marked his first-ever display at the event he has covered for BBC television for many years. The presenter created a dog-friendly space inspired by his own garden at Longmeadow and his canine companions.
At the time, he described it as "an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and BBC Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world's greatest horticultural event." Working with a team headed by Jamie Butterworth, the garden celebrated how many people share their outdoor spaces with their pets.
Gardening's Broad Church
During the BBC Breakfast interview, Monty also addressed the controversial lifting of the gnome ban at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Displaying his characteristic inclusive approach to gardening, he stated: "All power to everybody's elbow, whatever makes you happy. I don't feel snooty about gardening, actually."
"I like poking sticks and rattling cages, but in the end, it's a broad church, there's room for everybody," he added, demonstrating his philosophy that gardening should welcome all styles and preferences.
Retirement Considerations
This career reflection comes as Monty Don has recently opened up about his retirement plans. The presenter, who has been a staple of BBC gardening programming since 2003, continues to front Gardeners' World while contemplating his future in television horticulture.
His Chelsea Flower Show confession provides insight into the physical and mental demands of creating show gardens, even for experienced professionals. While he plans to attend this year's event as a visitor and commentator, he has firmly ruled out designing another display himself.
