Monty Don tackles ongoing trouble with flooding at Longmeadow home

Monty Don, the well-known host of Gardeners' World, recently spoke out about the ongoing challenge of dealing with flooding at his Longmeadow home in Herefordshire. The 69-year-old gardening expert highlighted the impact of extreme weather conditions on gardeners across the UK, emphasizing the need for hardier plants that can adapt to fluctuating weather patterns.

Having moved into his Longmeadow property in 1991, Monty has continually faced issues with flooding due to its location on a flood plain. His efforts to address the problem have included significant investments in drainage solutions to manage the excessive water, despite the great expense involved.

In a recent podcast appearance, Monty discussed the necessity for gardeners to adapt to the increasingly erratic weather, which has brought about periods of heavy rainfall as well as drought. He emphasized the importance of finding plants that can withstand such extremes and the challenges of mitigating the impact of these weather patterns, pointing out that his own garden now features large drains to cope with the excess water during the winter months.

With his expertise in gardening, Monty highlighted the need for a soil system that can retain moisture while still providing adequate drainage. He also shared his observations on how certain plants, like the hosta, are adapting to the drier summers, provided they receive sufficient rainfall in the preceding months.

In addition to his personal experiences, Monty has expressed concerns about the escalating frequency and severity of flooding in the UK, noting that it has become more prevalent during his 34 years of residing in the area.

Despite the challenges posed by weather-related issues, Monty continues to share his wealth of knowledge with audiences, as he gears up for the return of Gardeners' World on BBC Two. Viewers can anticipate learning from Monty’s insights on maximizing plant growth and caring for gardens, alongside a special feature on his RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, created in collaboration with his golden retriever, Ned.