Ep 3. Chiswick House Gardens

This episode of Gardeners' World takes us to Chiswick House Gardens, a beautiful and historic estate located in West London. Presenter Monty Don starts off by giving viewers a brief history of the estate, which was built in the 18th century and features stunning architectural and landscaping designs.

Next, Monty is joined by the head gardener at Chiswick House Gardens, Fiona Crumley, who gives an in-depth tour of the different gardens on the estate. They start off at the conservatory, which houses a large collection of plants from all over the world. Fiona explains the various challenges of maintaining a conservatory, including the proper temperature and humidity levels needed for different types of plants.

From there, Monty and Fiona move on to the walled garden, which is one of the oldest parts of the estate. This garden includes a mix of flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees, and Fiona explains how the different crops are rotated throughout the year to maximize yields and maintain soil health.

Next, Monty and Fiona visit the Italian Garden, which is modeled after the classic Renaissance-style gardens found in Italy and features symmetrical designs and a large fountain at its center. Fiona explains the challenge of maintaining such a formal garden, including keeping the hedges trimmed and the fountain clean.

After touring the formal gardens, Monty and Fiona head to the woodland garden, which showcases a more naturalistic style of landscaping. This area is filled with native British plants and trees, and Fiona explains how the different plants interact with each other to create a thriving ecosystem.

Throughout the episode, Monty and Fiona offer plenty of gardening tips and advice, including the proper way to prune roses, the benefits of mulching, and the importance of planting for pollinators. They also share some behind-the-scenes glimpses of the work that goes into maintaining such a large and historic estate, from tending to the lawns to repairing the antique statues.

Overall, this episode of Gardeners' World is a fascinating look at one of London's hidden gems. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or simply appreciate beautiful landscapes, the gardens of Chiswick House are sure to impress.