Monty Don, the longtime presenter of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, has indicated that his two full-time gardeners may lose their jobs following his departure from the show. Don, 71, who has hosted the program since 2003 and filmed at his Herefordshire home, Longmeadow, since 2011, said the BBC has contributed to the wages of his gardening team as part of his contract.

Speaking at the RHS Malvern Autumn Flower Show, Don explained that the gardeners — a propagation expert and a landscaper who have worked with him for around ten years — are essential for maintaining the extensive two-acre estate in the village of Ivington. The BBC’s financial support for their salaries has been tied directly to his role on Gardeners’ World. With Don stepping down at the end of the current series, that funding will cease.

Don acknowledged that without the BBC’s subsidy, he may not be able to afford to keep the two gardeners on staff. “I can’t afford [to maintain the garden] unless we earn money from it,” he said, adding that he is considering ways to generate income from the property. However, he clarified there are no plans to open Longmeadow to the public. Any income-generating efforts would take time to develop, with Don estimating that such projects could not begin until at least the middle of next year.

While Don expressed a desire to continue collaborating with the BBC on other projects in the future, he described his departure from the program as “the right time for a change” after more than two decades as its host. His decision raises questions about the future of the garden staff who have been integral to the upkeep of Longmeadow during his tenure on the show.