Renowned horticulturist Alan Titchmarsh has commended Monty Don for his bold departure from Gardeners’ World. Monty, aged 69, in collaboration with his golden retriever Ned, has crafted his inaugural garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden is specifically tailored to accommodate man’s best friend.
Ned played an integral role in shaping the garden by aiding in the construction of paths among the plants. Featuring dog accessories and a dog house adorned with images of pups contributed by Radio 2 listeners, the garden caters to the canine companions of gardening enthusiasts.
Monty candidly confessed that the garden didn’t progress as anticipated. Observing the movements of his pooch Ned and other dogs, including those owned by fellow gardener Jamie Butterworth and RHS director-general Clare Matterson, led to a necessary reevaluation of the initial plan.
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The design of the garden’s paths was directly influenced by the behavior of the dogs. Monty articulated, “The way dogs work, when they’re moving around, they’re sifting and they keep going back to a sort of central point, like the branches of a tree, and then go off sideways and see what’s happening and move a little bit around from there, and then go retrace their steps.”
Alan Titchmarsh, who helmed Gardeners’ World before Monty, expressed anticipation for the unveiling of the star’s garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. Acknowledging the undertaking as courageous, the 75-year-old, known for his canine-inclusive Barleywood garden, lauded Monty’s venture.
In a contribution to the BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, Alan admired Monty’s bold approach and eagerly awaited the harmonious integration of canines and plants. Drawing on his own experience at Barleywood, Alan humorously reminisced about his dogs' affinity for the borders of his garden, although he discovered an unintended side effect related to their breath.
Monty’s dog-friendly garden boasts dandelions, daisies, and clover transplanted from RHS Garden Wisley into the turf of his lawn. This meticulous transplantation ensures the durability of the grass for the enjoyment of four-legged companions.
Following the show, the garden will be relocated to the River Thames for the benefit of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where the staff, volunteers, and rescue dogs will have the opportunity to relish the patch.
Meanwhile, Alan is scheduled to return to television screens with “Love Your Weekend” airing on ITV One at 9.30 am, sharing insights on savoring the outdoors.