The BBC Gardeners’ World star shared footage of his find.
Monty Don found a snake in his garden (Image: BBC)
Gardeners’ World legend Monty Don has shared a discovery from his garden that would be terrifying to most – but he was completely unfazed. The 70-year-old horticulturist took to Instagram to share some footage of a huge snake making itself at home.
The creature slithered throughout a muddy terrain as Monty explained in the caption: “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.” However, many of his fans didn’t share the same sentiment as they admitted that they would be rather freaked out if they made the same discovery.
One person 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.”
Someone else 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 applauded the BBC presenter. “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,” one said.
Another added: “Healthy biodiversity you have there. Love that you let the eggs hatch. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Monty.”
Monty recently opened up about a frustrating challenge at his beloved Longmeadow garden, admitting the issue can leave plants disappearing almost as quickly as they emerge.
Speaking on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, the Gardeners’ World presenter explained that shifting weather patterns can create a knock-on effect for gardeners, with excessive rain proving as disruptive as drought.
He said: “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.
“Again, this is particularly in spring, rather than winter” He added that the issue is most acute at the start of the growing season, when wet conditions leave animals searching for alternative food sources.
“And if it’s a cold and wet March, they come in and they eat everything,” he said.
