UK: Monty Don hits out at ‘old-fashioned’ Gardeners’ World viewers over wife remarks
The famed gardener once visited a healer after feeling “chronically” unwell, as he dealt with his mental health following the birth of their first child, Adam.
By Peter Blunt
Assume Tech
April 5, 2021
Excerpt:
Monty Don, 65, has claimed on Twitter he and his wife Sarah Don are complete “equals” who will always “share everything”. The famed gardener made the statement as he hit out at some Gardeners’ World viewers “old fashioned” remarks on social media, after they claimed his spouse seemed “exasperated” over his use of “her” kitchen utensils.
He typed in view of his 218,900 followers: “Surprised at the number of comments referring to ‘my wife’ being exasperated that I used ‘her’ kitchen bowls in the mulch item.
“This seems fantastically old-fashioned. We share everything as equals- including kitchen utensils!”
Underneath fans weighed in on the argument, as they detailed their experience with stereotyped “gender roles”.
One said: “Unfortunately not surprising- I had two different things ‘explained’ to me by two different men down at the allotments yesterday- I’d not asked for their ‘advice’. I didn’t need it and… they were both utterly wrong!! Sexist and stereotypical gender role assignments still prevail.”
A second replied: “And if you’d used MY kitchen bowls in the garden they’d quickly become YOUR bowls because I’d never let them back in the kitchen ever again.”
While a third typed: “Surprised? I’m not. But then I’m female with an allotment. The gardening world is full of sexist/old-fashioned points of view – expressed tactlessly, often and unbidden.”
Mulch is used to retain moisture in soil and suppress weeds, reasons for using it include improving fertility and health of the soil.
Monty has spoken previously about the importance of mulching on his website, particularly at the beginning of the year in order to encourage new growth.
