Presenter Monty Don has previously claimed that gardening is part of his "healing process" after suffering a number of health battles. The 69-year-old has previously spoken about suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often known as winter depression.

According to the NHS website, SAD often leaves people with a low mood during the darker months. The website states: "SAD is sometimes known as 'winter depression' because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter." Speaking on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast, the Gardeners' World star revealed: "I was long ago diagnosed with SAD, there's no question about it, that November and December are always the worst time for me. I can't bear them."

In a candid conversation on The Love of Gardens podcast with Kirsty Wark, Monty spoke about managing his mental health and described the therapeutic nature of his work.

He explained: "I'm well documented of having struggled with depression all my life and I found that being outside, working particularly with the soil, rather than any particular plant group, for me works incredibly well at helping deal with that."

He further elaborated on the restorative power of gardening, saying: "It's the healing process, I don't say it's a passive for anybody, you found out what works for you, it may well be in conjunction with medication."

Monty has shared his thoughts on the "two sides" of mental health and how gardening can be a beneficial activity for anyone looking to improve their wellbeing. "That's a side of mental health and, again, there are two sides of mental health," he stated.

"There's mental illness that could be made maybe better through gardening, and there's mental wellbeing which everybody can feel and it recharges those batteries."

Monty's appointment as host of BBC's Gardeners' World in 2003 cemented his status as a household name. After first presenting the show over two decades ago, Monty announced last year that he plans to continue hosting until at least 2026, when he turns 70.