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Mony Don exposed
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Blondeswede (U13394586) on Monday, 5th October 2009
So, Monty Don has finally shown his true colours (Daily Telegraph last Saturday) and admits that conventional gardening is naff and that he never believed in what he was doing on Gardeners' Word. He says Berryfields was 'a fake garden with a whiff of the corporate car park about it'. Well who created it? Of course Monty never did sound as if he knew what he was talking about which was why he never said anything original. And now we know why. He has now abandoned gardening, says he can't see the point, and taken up farming instead. So, jeweller, travel writer, gardener, farmer – flow with the tide Monty and do whatever anyone will pay you for. Never mind the credibility.
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Message 2
Posted by malanD (U7337386) on Monday, 5th October 2009
I enjoyed GW when Monty was presenting it. I have his book, Fork to Fork which I refer to many times. However, like lot of people in the show business, when they leave a show 'unexpectedly', for whatever reason, they always seem to knock it down. Although Monty was known before he appeared on GW, the series certainly made him more popular and allowed him to do things he would have never been able to do - like Around The World in 80 Gardens. So I am sorry but I don't buy his whinging.
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Message 3
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Calm down ladies
all TV gardening is fake, surely
Unless you present and garden from your own patch
haven't you ever been at woek and required to do things you would not do at home? -
Message 4
Posted by Tigerredwood (U13742280) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Hello blondeswede
Are things a bit quite over on the football boards then? -
Message 5
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Many of us said that GW from Berryfields had no sense of ownership so the projects Monty and co carried out often lacked depth and follow up. That didn't stop them from coming up with some good tips and ideas or, unfortunately, horrors like that jungle and the "modern" shrubbery where they planted large trees and forgot to water them so they died.
Monty certainly seems to go with the flow and mutates from one career to another. Good luck to him as long he remembers he's fortunate to be able to do so and is grateful for what programmes like GW gave him. It would be so nice for everyone if they could change tack and still earn a good living when one career comes to an end for whatever reason - boredom, ill health, redundancy, economic downturn etc. -
Message 6
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Whatever Monty's comments, I always enjoyed his presentation of GW and admired him for visiting these message boards to reply to member’s criticisms & views.
Whilst he never achieved the excellence of GH or AT, he was an okay presenter for me; something I couldn’t extend to the present shower.
However, it’s never a good idea to slag-off your previous employers in public. -
Message 7
Posted by garrigillgirl (U14111305) on Monday, 5th October 2009
I agree with you David -
- I liked Monty's presentation and believed that he was enthusiastic about his craft. Although I take his point about not having 'ownership' of Berryfields what was the alternative exactly. He has really disappointed me with his comments - (wah....)- no need - he never knows when he might need us 'punters' again - perhaps when he has a new book out........ -
Message 8
Posted by Biglongdibber (U11863887) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Strange, when Monty presented GW I distinctly remember him saying in interviews that GW had to be presented from Berryfields because he wouldn't allow TV cameras into his own garden in Herefordshire - because it was private and for his family only.
Now, he's describing Berryfields as a "fake garden" when talking to the Telegraph - could this be a feeble attempt to grab headlines as Monty just so happens to be promoting his latest book about his garden? -
Message 9
Posted by David K (U2221642) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Perhaps worth noting that Monty will be appearing on tomorrow night’s 'One Show' on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú1 at 7pm...interesting to see what he has to say.
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Message 10
Posted by tattiebogle (U11728394) on Monday, 5th October 2009
I think Monty is right - gardens don't have to be tamed into submission, they can be looser and more natural and still be beautiful.
Perhaps Monty is on to the 'next big thing' that was a topic on these boards recently? -
Message 11
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Monday, 5th October 2009
I read his piece in the Telegraph also.
He explained how his stroke was caused, saying he had over reached into his hedge whilst trimming it and pulled his neck, causing him to sleep with a kink in his neck, this stopped blood flow in an artery.
He claimed to have been frustrated that the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú wouldnt film the show from his garden. He now prefers a more natural approach to gardening, allowing certain plants to become untidy, whilst adjoining plants are neatly clipped.
I'd happily have him back on GW anyday, intsead of the current presenters. -
Message 12
Posted by everhopeful (U11289037) on Monday, 5th October 2009
That wld suit my son in law. He and my daughter bought our house with wonderful garden which was my pride and joy. I cld cry when I see it now as they dont put in the time needed to keep it looking good.It is becoming overgrown and perhaps thats what Monty is on about.They do read the Saturday Telegraph so will have read the article and will now think they are keeping with the times.Of course I wldnt dream of saying anything to them as its not my business now.Still hurts when I think of the hard work and many hours I put into creating it.Montys excuse is health their excuse is golf. It takes all sorts so mustnt moan.
EH -
Message 13
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Hmmmm. Very odd message/article in the Telegraph.
Never did warm to Monty, and I get no sense of true gardening commitment from this current wheeze - rather the hope for a bandwagon, for which he hopes he is the forerunner.
Sorry if that sounds cynical. But it's a bit like prairie gardening - sounds good, looks great in large schemes; difficult (if not impossible) on anything other than the grand scale.
PHJ -
Message 14
Posted by lottie_73 (U14162102) on Monday, 5th October 2009
Well I'm glad I wasn't the only one to feel they had had a slap in the face after reading Saturday's Telegraph. I always felt that Monty was very commited to his role as the 'nations head gardener' and now I feel a bit silly.
Mind you, he does admit to having a tendency to burn his bridges every now and again in his book My Roots, so maybe he just engaged his mouth before his brain, as they say, on this occasion! -
Message 15
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Monday, 5th October 2009
I'm very disappointed in Monty and feel pretty let down. How many hours did I invest in GW when he presented it? He never seemed at ease at Berryfields and now we know why. Boy, do I feel well and truly led down the garden path. Never has that saying felt more appropriate!
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Message 16
Posted by ArtemisHP (U12217956) on Monday, 5th October 2009
So, jeweller, travel writer, gardener, farmer...Â
A true Renaissance Man. -
Message 17
Posted by blackeyedsusan (U2456655) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I don't think he has abandoned gardening, as I think I read recently that his box hedges amount to 1 kilometre, which he keeps in order.
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Message 18
Posted by phyll_ostachys (U12011174) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
For those who haven't read Monty's piece, here it is:
It is of course, a good, attention-grabbing headline. But it's not unreasonable that he wants to embrace a simpler style of gardening as he gets older - and his stroke would have been a wake up call.
It's made me think about my own gardening journing and I've started a thread to continue the discussion about changing gardening styles on the Inspiration board:
Phyll -
Message 19
Posted by Jenks812 (U5452843) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
blondswede,
I think perhaps you only read the first line of the article.
Reading it in it's entirety you realise he's not given up on gardening at all. He's merely changed his philosophy on it and moved with his circumstances (ie, his stroke).
I don't think Monty ever claimed to love Berryfields and he's right in his "corporate" remark. He never dissed the garden itself or the work he did there. Just the approach.
If you've read his books and knew a little bit of the man you can understand where he's coming from.
I thought he was a great presenter and an inspiring gardener. Still is for me and I wish him all the luck in the world. -
Message 20
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Monty Don is going to be on Radio 5 at about 1.30 today (Tuesday) promoting his book/ideas/new perfume etc.
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Message 21
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I've ordered the perfume already
Eau du compost... -
Message 22
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I'm not surprised at what Monty has written. For anyone who has read his books, and knows his passion for the earth, growing fruit & veg and his recent farming venture, it's a natural progression. So I do not feel disappointed, quite the contrary. Gardening-wise Monty's thinking exacty what I've been thinking and trying to put into practice this last twelve months, and with his new farm, he's living my dream as well. So I'm looking forward to his new programme and book about his farm and wish him all the best.
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Message 23
Posted by Joe_the_Gardener (U3478064) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
We don't really own our gardens - we just borrow them for a few years to do with as we please. As we progress we change what we do to them. It looks as though Monty's just changed his mind - nothing wrong with that; and he doesn't appear to be saying that we should all follow him. I shall be interested to hear what he has to say shortly.
Joe -
Message 24
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Thanks for the link to the article Phyllo. Indeed, why shouldn't Monty change his views over time, don't we all? He's always had a slight whiff of the dilettante about him and in many ways that means he brings a freshness to each new area he gets involved in.
The comment he makes about looking at different types of gardens abroad and questioning British concepts of a garden I found interesting. Looking out at my trimmed privet hedge which I take for granted, I guess we are so imbued in certain aspects of UK gardening style that we don't even question the real 'naturalness' of the styles of gardens and gardening we follow. -
Message 25
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
There are plenty of trimmed hedges here on the continent Aspi be they privet, laurel, conifer, beech, hornbeam, box or whatever. What goes on behind them is markedly different though. In Flanders they go in for formal parterres, clipped balls, topiary and so on especially in their front gardens whereas the Walloons seem to like things a bit less formal and often with bright red geraniums, salvias or similar.
Hedges make useful boundary markers as well as windbreaks. There's a clipped conifer hedge round a nearby cow pasture which allows them stay out of the barn longer in autumn as it provides shelter form prevailing winds and rain.
My own garden has a hawthorn hedge as a windbreak for the soft fruits patch, holly between us and the cows, an inherited conifer hedge that divides part of the front garden and a recent box hedge I planted round my main front bed which is 7m x 4m. Inside the box hedge is a fairly organised planting of roses, clematis, heucheras and geraniums with a few alliums and grasses. Everything elsewhere is much more natural with plants allowed to clump and spread at will - except for the veggie patch.
I think any gardening style is about exercising control over nature in as much as we decide to remove weeds and decide also whether plants can be allowed to run and self sow at will or whether we go for more deliberate planting combinations. The older I get, the more I'm inclined not to intervene too much but that's a function of energy and back function which have an increasing impact on my gardening "style".
I don't think I'll ever get to the stage where I want to pave, gravel or membrane the lot to reduce maintenance nor let it run completely rampant as it then becomes a wilderness, not a garden. -
Message 26
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I've ordered the perfume already
Eau du compost...Â
Did you opt for the promotional gift - the cute mini canvas bag to carry it in. Couldn't resist. Great for a girl about country like me!
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Message 27
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I have also had a natural garden although i am always adding new plants. The good thing about it is the plants that grow naturally thrive and those not suited do not. I only control what needs to be removed or cut back and it works well. This year i had masses of wild flowers spring up and it looked really beautiful. Lots of people commented on how lovely it looked and i gave seeds to people. I do not like gardens that are too rigidly planted or matching borders. Of course Monty can always change his views as thats the fun of gardening for all of us.
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Message 28
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Exactly
What was that programme about how domestic gardening styles have changed?
You remember, from the 60's square lawn surrounded by annuals in all shades to......
And what about gnomes! -
Message 29
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
In a way I'm not surprised at the way he's going/thinking. When your health takes a nose-dive, for what ever reason, you do re-assess things as you recover.
I never was a 'tidy' gardener, but am a lot more relaxed about things these days. The plants seem happy enough & if i've got it wrong, ie right plant, wrong place it lets me know by doing poorly/dieing.
If anyone is interested he's on 'The one show' on bbc1 at 7pm tonight. J.
Oh & sorry nooj, I have a very small gnome..... -
Message 30
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
I don't mind gnomes!
I have an elderly one with no nose who holds the door open for me -
Message 31
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Either Monty Don wasn't on Radio 5 this afternoon or I imagined the whole thing. Did anybody else hear him? He should have been on the Simon Mayo slot.
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Message 32
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Simon Mayo on radio two tonight 5 - 7 he is doing Chris Evans Drivetime for two weeks. Monty is on The One show tonight at 7. Thats bbc1.
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Message 33
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Monty was on the one show tonight just to promote his book. Same old story.
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Message 34
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
That is part of the deal when you get a book published - promotional tours etc.
Don't watch if you don't like it -
Message 35
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
The one show guest is all about promoting books shows etc. I did not expect Monty to be on there for anything else. I do not mind the show thats why i watch it.
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Message 36
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Jenks
Thank you for your voice of reason. I also admire Monty greatly and sometimes people do read too much into things. If I had had a stroke, I might well change the way I garden and style of my own garden, so who are we to criticize? -
Message 37
Posted by Jenks812 (U5452843) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
exactly Paul.
The one good thing about someone complaining about him is that it reminded me his book is out! Bought a copy yesterday. Through the first 50 pages and it's another fantastic write from my favourite garden writer.
Thought he was brilliant on One Show as well! -
Message 38
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Yes he is a good writer. Shall be dropping hints as my birthday coming up.
Ok many a time I found myself yelling at the TV when he presented GW, but remember crying when I read 'The Prickotty Bush' about his home before Ivington- probably got the title wrong. J. -
Message 39
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Although we do not like to admit it I think any "TV Presenter" is acting and there is no essential need, although highly preferable for credibility and true sincerity,in believing what they are presenting/informing or teaching. Its just how good the presenter is in "acting" how good they get away with it. To me Monty was credible and apparently a sincere gardener in what he presented in GW. Not my most favourite presenter when compared to AT and GH who I think erred more towards true believing gardeners who presented rather than the other way around. To me Carol K over presents, or is over directed, which loses credibility whilst being perhaps a very good gardener.
Any way hope Monty is now fully recovered and to thank him for some good GW's over the years.
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Message 40
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Isn't it funny how people can see/hear the same thing and interpret it so differently.
To me Monty wasn't credible or a sincere gardener in presenting GW. Not that makes him an insincere person just that in his capacity of GW Head Gardener he was acting a part he didn't believe him.
I always felt a slight discomfort when watching him on GW. Monty was on ITV This Morning as part of his "Around the Chat Shows promoting my book in 80 ways" series. He said something along the lines of "when you are faking it people know" which I understood to mean that he was aware that some people on this messageboard/elsewhere knew all along he was "faking it" at Berryfields.
Nevertheless whilst I wasn't overly enamoured of Monty on GW (or elsewhere for that matter as I don't find him a comfortable person to watch having too much of the zealot about him) I did at least find him more interesting and watchable than the bland lot we have now. -
Message 41
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Thanks Eva 'zealot' would be why I yelled at the TV. (still want the book though!)J.
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Message 42
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
"He said something along the lines of "when you are faking it people know" which I understood to mean that he was aware that some people on this messageboard/elsewhere knew all along he was "faking it" at Berryfields."
I didn't see MD this morning but I did see an article where MD wrote more or less those words referring to the false camaraderie 'chats' which the team where obliged to engage in at the end of every GW programme. So maybe it was this he was referring to ? -
Message 43
Posted by nooj (U13729031) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Whatever anyone thinks - just a few book promotional slots have lots of us analysing every word and what he might have meant, ...
not bad for an ex-something, as some people seem to think he is.
He's moved on, just like a lot of presenters have done -
Message 44
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
OK, just one last point. Personally I DID enjoy him immensely, just as I enjoyed his books. I was also lucky to be present at a question/answer session at a local garden show a couple of years ago when I and the rest of the audience were greatly impressed. Yes, I even spoke to him briefly (Please would you sign this, Monty?) and we named our cat after him. There, I've nailed my colours to the mast!
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Message 45
Posted by green-buddha (U11615833) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Thank you Jenks, you said it all for me. Monty was, and still is, pure inspiration for me. Somehow he gave (and still gives) gardening a deep "spiritual" dimension. He added soul to soil - something sadly lacking in current output. It is clear (for those with the eyes to see) that Monty is no hypocrite. He hasn't turned his back on gardening, but his recent reminder of mortality has led to a reappraisal of his priorities. It's part of life, part of the maturing process. God bless you Monty.
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Message 46
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Wednesday, 7th October 2009
Paul N, love the naming your cat after after him thing. Monty really is a name best suited to a feline friend, I think.
Obelixx, sorry, only just read your message (about message no.25 or so). Monty was talking about what we consider almost 'natural' features in gardens not just in the UK but including European and many other places which have similar styles, garden history and influence.
What (I think) he was saying is that the 80 gardens programme made him think right outside the whole UK-European garden culture, at what is considered a garden in somewhere really far flung. So yes of course European gardens are in the same bracket as UK gardens within the context of his point.
If that is clear as mud, have another look at his article where it is explained far more clearly than I can hope to do here.
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Message 47
Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Thursday, 8th October 2009
"Somehow he gave (and still gives) gardening a deep "spiritual" dimension. He added soul to soil"
MD in a nutshell - perfectly put green-buddha ! -
Message 48
Posted by enilaup (U12299060) on Thursday, 8th October 2009
Yes, I was there too, Paul N. Dreadful day weatherwise for the end of May, but well worth it to see Monty. He'd just returned from his trip to India (must admit he looked very tired and drawn) actually said to him that he should look after himself as us gardeners' really needed him. He signed two of my books of his and obliged with a photo - 2nd one I have of us together, the other was at Gardeners' World Live in 2005. I have no doubt whatsoever of his sincerity and genuine love of gardening which will remain with him forever - he is just going in another direction, as many of us have to do. Since retiring I have developed diabetes and arthritis and have obviously had to reconsider how I garden. Good luck to Monty - it was lovely to see him again over the last couple of days and looking so well.
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Message 49
Posted by Jenks812 (U5452843) on Thursday, 8th October 2009
just wanted to add that I'm up to May (about 120pgs) of his new book. Fantastic. Classic Monty.
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Message 50
Posted by enilaup (U12299060) on Thursday, 8th October 2009
It's on my Christmas list for this year (I can't wait!), but must confess I've had a quick look thru' it whilst visiting a well known bookshop!! Lovely looking book.
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