Television gardening expert Monty Don has issued a concerning update from his Herefordshire home, revealing that flood waters are not only rising but have now begun to encroach upon his famous garden. The presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World shared the distressing situation via social media as Storm Chandra brought severe weather across the United Kingdom.
Trapped by Rising Waters
Monty Don, who resides at the Longmeadow property in Herefordshire where much of his BBC programme is filmed, explained that he and his wife Sarah found themselves effectively trapped by the flood waters earlier this week. The 70-year-old horticulturalist reported that after a particularly stormy night, the situation had deteriorated significantly.
"After a very stormy night the floods are now rising and coming into the garden and bringing with them brown, muddy water," Don wrote in his Instagram update on Tuesday afternoon. He added with characteristic British understatement, "However it's not all bad for everybody…" accompanying his message with a video showing his dog Ned apparently enjoying the unusual aquatic conditions.
Increasing Frequency of Flooding
Speaking about the flooding challenges at his home earlier this month, Don provided context about living on a flood plain in Herefordshire. "Flooding has always been part of life there," he acknowledged, before adding a significant caveat. "But it's definitely got worse. It's definitely got more frequent."
The gardening expert highlighted the unpredictable nature of modern flooding patterns, noting: "What's so odd is it's not like we've had weeks and weeks and weeks of rain. It can be almost overnight and the waters come up." This rapid onset creates particular challenges for residents in affected areas.
Safety Concerns for Vulnerable Neighbours
Beyond the inconvenience and potential damage to property, Don expressed genuine concern for more vulnerable members of his community. Describing being completely cut off by flood waters on Monday, he revealed: "On Monday, for example, my wife and I couldn't get out of the house or garden. We were flooded in. No-one could come in, no-one can go out."
This isolation raised particular worries about his elderly neighbour. "That's fine [but] I have a 97-year-old neighbour," Don explained. "If anything had happened to him, it would have been a helicopter time, I guess." This comment underscores the serious implications of such flooding events for community safety and emergency access.
Personal Loss Amidst Environmental Challenges
The flooding update comes shortly after Monty Don shared some personal sad news with his followers. His dog Peggy recently passed away just weeks before what would have been her sixteenth birthday. In a touching tribute, Don wrote: "She was eccentric, quirky, infinitely gentle and loving and will be missed terribly."
The gardening presenter, who has been married to Sarah since 1983 and has three children—Adam, Freya, and Tom—has become something of a national treasure through his television work. His regular updates from Longmeadow provide millions of viewers with gardening inspiration while also offering glimpses into the realities of rural living in Britain.
As climate patterns continue to shift and extreme weather events become more frequent, the experiences shared by public figures like Monty Don bring a human dimension to environmental challenges facing communities across the country. His situation highlights how even those with considerable gardening expertise and resources can find themselves at the mercy of natural forces when severe weather strikes.
