Monty Don is stepping down as lead presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World after more than two decades, a move that organic grower and writer Claire Ratinon says is the perfect opportunity to reimagine the show to better reflect Britain's messy, realistic gardens. In a comment piece for the Guardian, Ratinon, who has been a grower for over a decade, acknowledges Don's 'steady and wise omnipresence' throughout her gardening journey, particularly his stance on environmental issues, wildlife, and the use of chemicals and peat in horticulture.
A Universe Away from Longmeadow
Ratinon contrasts her own 'modest patch of a few veg beds at the end of a small, chaotic and mostly gravelled garden' with the two-acre dreamscape of Longmeadow, Don's garden in Herefordshire. She notes that millions of viewers have likely looked longingly at the 'remarkable space and the impressive infrastructure (not to mention hired hands!)' that make it so special, while knowing such an ideal garden is out of reach for ordinary folk. While she credits Longmeadow as a 'glorious setting' for Don to share his plant wisdom, she suggests the search for his replacement presents a chance for 'a little reimagining'.
Ratinon reveals that television production companies have approached her over the years to present new gardening shows aimed at the next generation, but none offered an idea beyond a rehash of a makeover show—an approach she calls 'the antithesis of my growing ethos'. She would rather persuade gardeners to nurture their plots intentionally, avoiding the 'unhinged (and mostly unsustainable) Changing Rooms-style energy' in outdoor spaces.
Who Should Replace Monty Don?
While Ratinon jokes about throwing her own hat in the ring, she identifies Frances Tophill as her first choice from the shortlist of potential successors, calling her 'the favourite'. However, her real desire is for the show to feature 'dispatches and insights from different gardeners in different regions'. She points out that the UK's weather and climate vary massively—a gardener in Cornwall faces very different conditions to one in Cumbria—and as seasons become less predictable, 'tried-and-tested gardening advice may well become moot'.
Ratinon envisions a show that follows 'a consortium of gardeners and their outdoor spaces throughout the growing season', showing what is possible and impossible in different parts of the country. She suggests these should be 'ordinary gardens tended by ordinary gardeners'—people who are 'time-poor, resource-light and chaotic in their execution' due to other responsibilities. She draws a parallel to Top Gear, which features both family-friendly hatchbacks and luxury sports cars on its test track.
The Soothing Power of Gardeners' World
Despite her calls for change, Ratinon emphasizes that the show's soothing quality should remain untouched. She credits Don's 'gentle screen presence' for much of the show's calming tone and pace, down to the 'ambient sound of bees buzzing past'. She believes the upcoming generation of gardeners also has 'jangled nervous systems that could do with some calm', and hopes the next presenter 'understands the assignment and keeps the show sailing on a steady and serene trajectory'.
Ratinon concludes that she has reached her 'personal saturation point with aspirational, unobtainable spaces wholly detached from my own growing reality', and argues there is much to learn from the 'ingenuity and scrappiness' of those who succeed—and fail—at creating flourishing gardens with limited space, wallets, and time.
