Monty Don, the beloved BBC Gardeners' World presenter, has left fans horrified after sharing footage of a large snake slithering through his garden. The 70-year-old horticulturist posted the video on Instagram, showing the creature moving across muddy terrain in his compost bays. In the caption, Don wrote: 'A good-sized grass snake in the compost bays. Every year, grass snakes lay their eggs in the compost - which then get uncovered when the compost is turned. However we always put the eggs back and they hatch successfully. I know some people don't like any kind of snake but I am very happy to share this garden with grass snakes.'
Fan Reactions Range from Fear to Admiration
Many of Don's followers expressed terror at the discovery. One commenter wrote: 'If I see a snake in my garden, that is it, my gardening days are over. Right there and then!' Another echoed: 'OMG Monty! That’s me back in the house, door locked and bicycle clips round my trousers.' A third added: 'I wish I felt the same way when finding a snake in the garden… unfortunately it doesn’t translate the same way in Australia.'
However, others praised Don for his conservation efforts. One fan said: 'I love that you are sharing this on your socials @themontydon. Grass snakes are now a priority species in the UK and like so many species, need all the help they can get. Amazing to hear that you go out of your way to look after them at Longmeadow.' Another added: 'Healthy biodiversity you have there. Love that you let the eggs hatch. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Monty.'
Monty Don's Rabbit Problem Amid Flooding
In a recent interview on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, Don opened up about a frustrating challenge at his Longmeadow garden. He explained that shifting weather patterns, particularly excessive rain, have caused a rabbit invasion. 'One of the really annoying aspects of flood, around us, is that the rabbits all come in out of the flooded fields into our garden. We now have a big rabbit problem because the poor things have got nowhere to go,' he said. Don noted the issue is most acute in spring, especially during a cold and wet March, when rabbits 'come in and they eat everything.'
