Monty Don’s book is a treasured gift from a special friend down in Bedfordshire. She knew my love for nature, gardening and the countryside, from our many walks and talks with our husbands and their dog over the years. It sits on my bedside table and I savour every moment, as I read about Monty’s world at home, in his garden and on his farm, month by month. In fact I read it a month at a time, enjoying his reflections on changes that have taken place over the years, in terms of wildlife and birds, occasionally unusual sightings and living alongside what we would call ‘garden pests’.
It is a very different world to ours on the east coast of Scotland, on the Firth of Forth estuary, but nevertheless it encourages me to be more observant and to appreciate each moment in time. I have always had a wary approach to watering to excess and using chemicals, slug pellets for example, and Monty has encouraged, me by his words, to be even more vigilant and philosophical when the natural world wins a battle over some plant or other or corner of my cliff garden. I am only a custodian of my plot for the time being after all.
Monty Don’s observations are thoughtful, beautifully written and even charming at times. You feel his joy when birds and butterflies are spotted for the first time in the year, even though this is hopefully a yearly event, and his sadness over the decline of various species.
I love the cover. Roger, my husband, always used to call Gardener’s World The Nigel Show, after Monty’s photographic dog, who was always getting in the shots. And didn’t he pose for the camera? He was a natural!
My world is richer through his words. Thank you!
Diana Jackson 