Growing things is my true love. Without gardening, I’d go spare

Veteran gardener Alan Titchmarsh, 71, is currently on our screens with wonderfully relaxing show, Love Your Weekend. Here he talks glorious greens, magical times with his grandkids and why his job is an occupational hazard...

Love LoveYourWeekend Your Weekend looks like a nice gig...

It was tremendous fun to bring the countryside to TV for a couple of hours. It’s a lovely antidote to politics or cooking.

Is there anything you can’t miss on TV on Sundays?

I’m a big lover of a period drama. But my daughters used to watch Friends so I’m fond of that too. And Frasier.

Do you still learn new things about the great outdoors this far into your career?

All the time. Especially when people have such unique skills. I love watching people do things I can’t do. Like herding sheep with sheepdogs or making coat stools out of embroidery. I’m open-mouthed with the skills. I don’t do it though. I didn’t want that classic thing of ‘watch the celebrity have a go at doing something’. I’d rather watch someone do it well. I don’t want to get stuck in and get it wrong. I let the pros have their moment.

You have some great celebrity guests...

They were all unique in their own way. It was beautiful scenery so it wasn’t hard to persuade people. They all loved being outside rather than stuck in a studio.

Do you have famous fans?

Well, many stars know who I am, which is lovely. But it’s the public who ask me questions every day. Just this morning someone stopped me and said, ‘Can I just ask you about my strawberry plant?’ Occupational hazard but that’s fine. If you spend 40 years on TV trying to engage with people, you can’t be surprised when you find out you have.

How did you keep sane in lockdown?

I was very lucky as I have four acres of land to look after. I loved tending to my gardens every day. That was just blissful. Now I can see my grandchildren and we go butterfly watching, which is magical as I can answer all their questions.

Is gardening your greatest love?

I suppose it is. Gardening advice has got me pretty far in life and growing things is my true love. Without gardening, I would go spare.e. Nature wants to grow, I love helping it get there and creating beautiful views. It’s creativeeative and challenging. If you design a room,m, furniture stays in place. Gardens changege with the season. It’s so exciting to see. Yet terribly boring for others. l Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is on

Sunday, ITV, 9.30am.

Just this morning someone said, ‘Can I ask you about my strawberry plant?’

Alan Titchmarsh