Monty Don, the beloved host of Gardeners' World, has revealed the single tool he "never goes into the garden without." The 70-year-old gardening expert, who has nurtured a lifelong passion for horticulture since pulling weeds as a child, shared his indispensable item in a recent YouTube clip.
The Essential Tool: Secateurs
In the video, Monty admitted he is a "tool obsessive" who feels "underequipped" with fewer than 30 tools. However, one implement stands out: a pair of secateurs. He explained, "Every gardener has to have a pair of secateurs. These are Japanese, they're very beautifully made and they're very sharp, which is important."
Monty emphasised the importance of comfort and size: "I never go into the garden without a pair of secateurs, so it's got to feel comfortable, they've got to be small enough so that you can put them in your pocket or in a holster, but big enough so that you can cut." He advised against overgearing, stating, "The one thing I'd say about secateurs is, don't overgear them. They need to be just enough to do the job. Don't try and force it, sometimes you need more than one, a light pair and a heavy duty pair."
Other Top Tools Recommended by Monty
Monty also highlighted a spade as an "easy" pick for his top five tools. He has owned his bespoke spade since 1990 and insists he "won't let anyone else touch it." He noted, "I've been using this for 35 years and I'm sure it will see me out. A good spade will last, I plant everything with it, I dig everything with it, it's the most useful thing in the garden."
Similarly, he advocates for a quality trowel with a flat blade, which he uses "all the time." Additionally, he described a decent pair of shears as a "delight" in any garden, noting they have experienced a resurgence in popularity after falling out of fashion for a period.
Monty's Gardening Background
Monty's love for gardening began in childhood, tending to his family's strawberry patch. By his teenage years, he managed a vegetable plot and performed tasks like plucking chickens and chopping firewood. After working as a gardener in Aix-en-Provence, France, he returned to England, met his wife Sarah, and settled in London. Their remarkable garden caught the eye of a photographer, launching Monty toward stardom.
Upcoming Episode
Monty returns to screens with Gardeners' World from 8pm on April 24. This week, he will introduce a hint of the Mediterranean by planting lemons in containers, work in his woodland garden, and pot his summer bulbs. Meanwhile, Sue Kent will be sowing tender crops.
