The new series of Gardeners’ World will return to the BBC next month and Monty Don has explained it will be filmed in a similar way to the 2020 series as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Monty and his co-stars filmed much of the series on their own with the crew absent, which will continue until everyone is vaccinated. The pandemic has meant Monty has also had to put plans to film abroad on hold too.
The presenter, who has filmed in gardens all over the world, including a series dedicated to American Gardens, was hoping to go to Italy and the Mediterranean.
“I have barely left this garden since last February and after 25 years of almost incessant globe-trotting, visiting gardens all over the world, have not travelled anywhere at all since I stepped off the plane from L.A. in October 2019,” Monty explained.
He continued: “We have had plans to film gardens in the Adriatic and Venice for 18 months now but if nothing else the last twelve months has proved the adage that if you want to make God laugh you tell him your plans.
“However, despite all the trials and tribulations, even in mid winter, our gardens remain a huge source of pleasure, inspiration and consolation.”
READ MORE: Power Book 3 cast: Who will play young Ghost?
Monty went on to share an update from his garden explaining the first bulbs are starting to appear and break into bud.
So far he has seen “snowdrops, crocus, early daffodils, primroses, intense early irises, muscari, scillas,” begin to bloom.
Despite not filming the new series until March or travelling abroad, there’s still plenty of work for Monty to do.
The gardening expert has been trying to “mulch, prune, repair hard landscaping and finish planting any bare-root tree”.
“We will be repeating this again this year until we have all been vaccinated and it is deemed safe and sensible to film with a crew. I cannot wait for that to happen.”
While fans are desperate to see Monty back on television screens, he explained he’s been busy in the Jewel Garden.
Sharing snaps of the garden on Instagram, he told his 748,000 followers: “Big day – the box hedging in the Jewel Garden – ravaged by blight – is being dug up and burnt.
“The end of a chapter, but the start of a new one.”