Adam Frost, the beloved presenter of BBC’s Gardeners' World, has spoken openly about one of the toughest periods in his life. Amid family health crises, Covid isolation, and an intense workload during the pandemic, Frost found himself overwhelmed and emotionally unraveling.
In his book, For The Love of Plants, Frost reflects on the isolating impact of lockdown. “Mrs Frost was really poorly, and so too was our youngest daughter. Then, just as we got through that, I caught Covid and shut myself away for 10 days to quarantine,” he reveals. During this time, his mental wellbeing took a sharp decline. “I started to feel disconnected, as if my life was unravelling. The only thing that comforted me was music as I looked out at the garden I had created.”
Despite viewers admiring his organic planting and thoughtful garden design on Gardeners’ World, Frost’s reality during isolation was far different. “All I could see were endless jobs that needed doing,” he confesses. This mounting pressure stemmed from working excessive hours to maintain his professional commitments, marking a stark contrast to the calm and composed presence he portrays on-screen.
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When isolation ended, Frost sought medical help and was diagnosed with burnout and depression. This sparked sessions with a psychiatrist that led to profound self-reflection. He recalls, “We explored my childhood, my deep-rooted love of gardening nurtured by my grandparents, my early start in horticulture at 16 working in the Parks Department, and my career highlights including working with the late Geoff Hamilton and participating in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”
Frost’s lifelong passion for plants and music emerged as stalwart sources of strength throughout his challenges. Recognizing the need for change, he simplified his life by downsizing to a smaller cottage with a more manageable garden. “It was like flipping a switch. I reconnected with my space and created a new garden inspired by the music and plants that sustain me,” he says.
Adam Frost’s honest account sheds light on the pressures faced behind the scenes and highlights the importance of mental health, balance, and returning to the passions that ground us.