The Jewel Garden

by Sarah Don, Montagu Don

THE JEWEL GARDEN is the story of the garden that over the past decade has bloomed from the muddy fields around the Dons' Tudor farmhouse, a perfect metaphor for the Monty and Sarah's own rise from the ashes of a spectacular commercial failure.

At the same time THE JEWEL GARDEN is the story of a creative partnership that has weathered the greatest storm, and a testament to the healing powers of the soil. In his weekly column for the Observer, Monty Don has always been candid about the garden's role in helping him to pull back from the abyss of depression; THE JEWEL GARDEN elaborates on this much further. Written in an optimistic, autobiographical vein, Monty and Sarah's story is truly an exploration of what it means to be a gardener.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I'm not reading, I'm gardening or doing some DIY project. I don't normally read books about gardening but I throughly enjoyed reading the lives of Sarah and Montagu Don. Such sadness has happened yet they have managed to turn their failures into something so beautiful.

[The Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of gardening and look forward to a bit of Monty Don on TV during the Spring and Summer months of the year, then this is a book you'll enjoy. Between them, Monty and his wife Sarah tell the tale of how they started out in the jewellery business becoming well-reputed within designer companies and celebrities. Until, sadly one day things take a turn for the worse and they find themselves penniless. During this tale of utter despair, and often times of dark depression for Monty, he describes how being outside amongst the elements and gardening got him, and continues to do so, through such times. The book is narrated in a very simple, yet informative way, with more names of flowers and plants than I have ever heard of before. This book was very inspirational, showing how when life really does present itself darkest self, how resilient we all can really be even when we feel we're not. It was lovely to read the story of 'The Jewel Garden' in its evolving creation, as Monty takes us through the seasons and the never-ending developments and adaptions made in his garden accordingly. It made me realise that my husband and I will never truly 'finish' our garden, and that we're not the only ones where things don't always grow as planned. For fans of 'Gardeners World' I'd definitely recommend this over a cup of tea as we wait for those days to get lighter!

[Heather Murgatroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating take of the Don's life and struggles

I guess that watching Gardeners World every Friday that viewers think that Monty Don has a great life, who wouldn't like to spend their days in the garden? It was fascinating to read about their early life together, the jewellery business, Month's depression, the family and his they struggled through some really tough times. Above all this book is life affirming and shows that with hard work and determination that amazing things can happen. It's a beacon of hope for everyone, dedicated gardener or not.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of the creation of the Don’s lovely jewel garden. Their struggles with life, their triumphs, which showed them as real people creating something special against the odds. I’d love to see more photos of the jewel garden - it seems a shame they’re cramped into a small paperback edition. Coffee table edition a possibility?? With loads more photos? Anyway Thankyou for sharing your story.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

first half deals with the couple's early business venture, building a highly successful jewelry business which subsequently collapses in a recession, leaving them disillusioned and broke before struggling to build on their shared passion for gardening and break into broadcasting to pay the bills

second half covers the seasons in their home garden, with beautiful colour photos throughout
touches on family life and on managing his depression.

interlaces both their voices and perspectives

[Ruth Brumby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the importance of a garden in two people's lives told by both and through diary entries is interesting, but they don't come across as very appealing characters and the garden sounds a bit of a cross between pretentiois and messy, like their lives really. It's a bit too honest, self-centred. Fascinating though.

[Jo Larkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the bankruptcy of their London based jewellery business in the crash of the 1980s. It is easy reading but a bit repetitive with tantslising lists of plants only some of which I know.
Having previously read "The Ivington Diaries" and "Fork to Fork", the former alluding to the jewellery business, I wanted to know what was in this book...and now I do!

[pwcresswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

An interesting biographical account of their lives, gives flesh to the brutality of unemployment, the despair of failure and joy of the countryside.
Left me respecting and admiring Mr M Don even more, it's no wonder I enjoy him on TV so much.

[Chris B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was less interested in the second - gardening - half of this book, the first half about the rise and fall of their 'Monty Don' jewellery business and how they went on to acquire their Herefordshire home and potential garden was fascinating

[Miss Rebecca Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely frank book

Beautiful descriptions of the garden and the passion for gardening as well as a very frank account of family life and emotional struggles and the way in which gardening is a salve for the gloomiest of days

[Jean Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read..

Really enjoyed this book. Well written and very interesting insight into Monty & Sarah Dons lives before gardening and television fame.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more pictures of their garden! I'm also sad that no one really calls Montagu by the name that made him famous, Monty. But alas.

[Sindhu S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read

Read this in between many long, difficult writing assignments. I am watching Big Ideas, Small Spaces along with my family and dreaming of restoring our garden to its former glory (?)
This book was great because it doesn't rush you. I didn't know half the plants mentioned in it because I live in India. However, I had a wonderful time looking them up and thinking what could parallel the experience here.

[Marie Juel]

Fantastisk bog! Skal helt sikkert læse den igen om et par år.

[Mark Bowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice easy reading for the majority of the book with them giving a whistle stop tour of life and garden. Hard hitting chapter about depression and mental health, this was really helpful. Great read.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read

I was hoping for a bit more about how they designed their garden, but it was eminently readable. Interesting to read about their tough times as well as the good.

[Emhowl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening

It was very good to find out about their jewellery business as well as their gardening thoughts, ideas and practices.

[Jim King · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average read for me.

Very interesting first half to the chart the epic rise and fall of the Don's jewellery business and then financial hardship until the Long Meadow and Gardeners world years.

I'm a Monty Don fan but the second half of the book seemed like a "planting list" which for a novice gardeners was a bit boring. First half very interesting though.