My Roots

by Montagu Don

Monty Don, the face of British gardening, has written a weekly Observer column on his garden for the past ten years. Over time the columns have been a practical guide, a poetic record of the garden's changing seasons, and also a personal account of how the garden has kept his feet firmly planted on the ground through bad times and good. This book is a year in the life of Monty's garden, that will delight his readers and gardeners everywhere. 'Growing vegetables, herbs and fruit should be done in the same spirit as choosing your music or with a mix of precision and adventure.' 4.1.98 'Gardens are complex and messy and, as in life, there are few easy fixes.' 17.1.99 'At times this life is intolerable but a few moments of hornbeam in the Easter sunshine do as much as anything I know to give one strength and reason to start again.' 11.4.04 'One swallow may not make a summer but it damn sure made my day.' 7.5.00 'Planting trees is deeply satisfying and good for the soul, especially on a winter's day. What else can a human do that leans so far into the future?' 27.12.98

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Horticulture, Biography

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Montagu 'Monty' Denis Wyatt Don is a German-born British television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture, known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners' World.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opinionated, eclectic, political, Romantic, poetic, passionate, erudite, honest and just a little bit subversive.
Vintage Monty!

[Shiffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a prince

[Agnes Goyvaerts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty Don’s book ‘My Roots’ is a brilliant read. I would say if one never read another gardening book, then it must be this one. A philosophical work interwoven with a lot of great tips, very valuable stuff. It is more a memoir, a journal through a decade of gardening than a practical guide. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A timely read book,with the start of spring.a yearly diary about trials and tribulations of gardening.but its sum total is more,regardless of how he writes there is a spiritual element in his wonder if plants and nature.monty says he is only a well versed amateur,but I think he is just being humble.it has kick started me into wanting to rush out and start now even though we are only just encroaching onto March and spring.

[Sophie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is so underrated as a writer - this is my favourite of Monty Don's books about life in his garden and his life beyond it.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent collection of articles written for guardian etc.. gardening is the being and doing and not the end product ..

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book, and still turn to it for inspiration. As opposed to Don's other book of collected garden writing essays, "Gardening Mad," I found this little book had a lot of soul to it--he was writing from the seat of his pants at times, but it was good writing, not just writing to try to impress other people, as in the former book.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the "roots" sections where Monty discussed something he was doing or thinking. I didn't enjoy the longer pieces as much.

[Cassandra Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting