Alan Titchmarsh has revealed that the kneeler is the 'most important gardening tool' in his collection. The 77-year-old gardener shared the insight during an appearance on the RHS's Roots podcast, where he reflected on his career and offered advice for novice gardeners.
Titchmarsh, who left school at 15 to become an apprentice gardener with Ilkley Council, has since become a household name through programmes such as Gardeners' World and Ground Force. On his YouTube channel, he has also highlighted other essential tools, including the rake and secateurs.
He described the rake as ideal for 'levelling' soil when positioned with teeth facing upwards, noting that 'you only need a few strokes across the ground to make it level.' For secateurs, he called them the 'most useful cutting tool' but advised against using them on stems thicker than half an inch.
Fellow Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don, a self-proclaimed 'tool obsessive,' echoed the importance of secateurs, stating he never enters the garden without a pair. He recommended choosing comfortable, sharp secateurs and avoiding over-gearing them for tough cuts.
