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Monty Don is urging gardeners not to worry about fruit trees shedding fruit this summer – it’s actually a good sign

Monty Don is urging gardeners not to worry about fruit trees shedding fruit this summer – it’s actually a good sign

by | Aug 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’ve noticed your apple tree has dropped all its fruit this summer, Monty Don wants to reassure you not to panic, and it is simply the result of the drought.

Apple trees are highly regarded as one of the easiest fruit trees to plant for a plentiful harvest, but this year, you may have been left disappointed when your trusty tree has dropped a load of half-ripe apples in your garden.

While this isn’t something to panic about, your tree has likely shed its fruit to conserve water and energy during this summer’s drought conditions. So, I spoke to garden experts about how to support your fruit tree right now, plus what to do with dropped fruit.

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Why are fruit trees dropping fruit this year?

You may have already heard of the June Drop, whereby fruit trees drop a small amount of their harvest in early summer in response to natural cues. It’s the tree’s natural way of balancing its energy. But this year, you may have noticed your tree has dropped all its fruit.

On the Gardeners World Instagram page, Monty Don explained why this isn’t something you need to worry about.

‘If you find your apple trees are dropping apples left, right and centre, don’t worry; it’s a result of the drought, but the tree is looking after itself,’ he said.

‘The tree is running out of water. The fruit are taking up a huge amount of that water. In order to save some fruit, they have dropped apples. Now it might seem like a disaster, but actually it means that the tree is responding to drought and handling it.’

And dropped fruit is something that Natalie Derham-Weston, head gardener at Lainston House, has noticed recently, too.

‘At Lainston House, we have already picked four lots of dropped fruit when we wouldn’t usually be picking any until early/mid September!,’ she said.

‘With little or no rain, the trees become stressed and shed some of their fruit to conserve water and energy. This is a very clever way of protecting themselves. Other contributing factors can include poor pollination, pests or disease. However, if the fruit looks healthy and the soil is noticeably dry, drought stress is the most likely explanation.’

How to support your fruit tree this summer

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to support your best fruit trees during prolonged drought.

A dwarf apple tree growing in an english garden

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘The most recommended action would be to water deeply and slowly around the root zone, particularly beneath and around the canopy, which will put water where the tree can absorb it,’ explains Natalie.

‘Mulching with wood chips, bark, compost or well-rotted organic matter around the base in a wide circle will trap in moisture. Avoid fertilising as this encourages new growth which requires water and energy, neither of which the tree will have spare of currently. Also refrain from heavy pruning, which could add to the tree’s stress and potentially affect next year’s growth.’

You should also start thinking about next year’s harvest, too, Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture, advises.

‘Next year, thin out smaller fruitlets by hand early in the season so that the remaining fruits can grow larger and stronger,’ he says.

What can you do with dropped fruit?

Now, if you’ve found yourself with a load of half-ripe apples on your hands this summer, our experts have provided some handy ways to reuse them so they don’t go to waste, or you risk upsetting your neighbours for not picking up your windfall.

Red apples growing on apple tree in autumn/winter garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes Photography)

‘If there is an excess of fruit dropping from your fruit trees, you can add it to your compost bin or heap. However, ensure that you are adding plenty of woody material to keep the mix balanced, and cutting the fruit up into smaller pieces can speed up the composting process,’ says Richard.

‘Any dropped fruit that is not diseased or damaged by pests can be left out to feed wildlife. Cut the fruit into smaller pieces to make it easier for wildlife to eat, but ensure that you remove fruit before it begins to rot to avoid attracting pests.’

If your apples are ripe enough, you can also use them for cooking, which is something that Natalie recommends.

‘Apple puree, chutney or jelly are great if the fruit is a little small and not as sweet. Apples can also be frozen; peeled, cored and sliced and saved for later,’ she says.

‘Juicing is another great way of using apples if you have a large quantity, and is what we do at Lainston House every year.’

Support your fruit tree

The year’s heatwaves have been challenging and dropping fruit is simply your tree’s way of coping.

David Domoney doesn’t want you to throw your plant prunings away this month – there’s a clever way to turn them into something beautiful

David Domoney doesn’t want you to throw your plant prunings away this month – there’s a clever way to turn them into something beautiful

by | Aug 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’re cutting your plants back this month, don’t chuck the clippings straight in the compost bin – there’s a creative way you can make them last longer.

British television presenter David Domoney is actually in favour of keeping those clippings rather than throwing them away. That’s because you can make a wreath out of them using a compost bin lid, or similar – and with autumn and winter on the way, it’s the perfect time to get started.

Luckily, there are plenty of plants to cut back in August, so you’ll probably have a lot of material to work with. Here’s what David said in one of his latest Instagram reels.

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You probably wouldn’t expect to start making a DIY living Christmas wreath in August, but it doesn’t have to be strictly seasonal – you can make a natural wreath for any season (and autumn is on the horizon!).

All of that greenery you’re trimming away while you’re pruning your plants in August can provide an ideal framework for that wreath. And the surprise aide? A compost bin lid.

‘At the moment, when you’re pruning things like wisteria, or even thornless roses and many other plants, they’re at their most pliable,’ David says in his Instagram reel. ‘Take their leaves off, run them along the inside of a lid – it doesn’t have to be a compost lid, anything similar – group them together, tie them up, and it’s a framework for a wreath.’

Flower wreath hanging on door

(Image credit: Getty Images / Elliot Elliot)

From those simple steps alone, you’ll have an all-natural, one-of-a-kind wreath that you simply leave inside the lid to take shape before removing and decorating with other plants. You’ll just need some string like this Draper garden twine from Amazon to hold the stems in place.

‘The result is a homemade wreath framework ready to decorate for autumn, then reinvent for Christmas,’ David said in the caption.

If you want to add flowers or other natural decorations to your wreath, you’ll need a reel of green florist wire, like this reel from Amazon.

‘For anything heavy or bulky, like pinecones or chunky dried orange slices, hot glue is an amateur move,’ says Mark Dwelly, head gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls. ‘Use florist wire. Twist it securely around the base of the pinecone or thread it through the orange slice. Then, poke the wire ends through the back of the wreath and twist them tightly to secure. This ensures nothing falls off in a gust of wind.’

Flower wreath hanging on wooden fence

(Image credit: Getty Images / Olga Strogonova)

If it’s too soon to be thinking about Christmas wreaths, you could look at summery decorations like dried flowers instead. You can buy a herb and flower drying rack for £16.99 from B&Q.

What you’ll need

Besides your compost (or even dustbin) lid and your prunings, you’ll only need a couple of things to make a wreath this August.

So, you can use a compost bin lid, or even a dustbin lid, as a mould for a wreath – and all you need are your prunings! It’s a win-win.

Alan Titchmarsh says every garden should have this one thing to make the most of this week’s rain – it’ll help you stay a step ahead of hosepipe bans

Alan Titchmarsh says every garden should have this one thing to make the most of this week’s rain – it’ll help you stay a step ahead of hosepipe bans

by | Aug 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration

After weeks and weeks of heatwaves, rain has finally reappeared in UK weather forecasts – and if you’re hoping to make the most of this week’s rain, there’s never been a better time to start collecting it.

The best way to do that? Learn how to install a water butt. In his recent Instagram reel, gardening presenter Alan Titchmarsh can’t praise them enough – and he included a few tips on maximising the amount of rainwater you collect.

Wondering if it’s worth adding one to your garden? Here’s what Alan and the experts say.

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Water butts are the gold standard if you’re looking for sustainable garden ideas, since they save mains water wastage and costs. Since we’re heading towards autumn now, it’s the perfect time to install one – and the sooner you do, the more you’ll get out of this week’s downpours.

Alan Titchmarsh is so in favour of us owning water butts that he just dedicated a video to them, highlighting the collectors in his own garden.

‘One thing this garden does have is plenty of water butts – every home should have water butts,’ he says in the reel.

‘What’s in here is free, and also, you’ve probably noticed that whenever you water plants with rainwater, they do seem to grow better.’

So, it’s not just about saving water – a garden that’s fed rainwater is more likely to thrive, too. It’ll also allow you to water your garden during a hosepipe ban.

Green and blue water butts next to potted hosta plants in garden

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

‘If you can store every drop of water possible in your garden, you’ll be far less irritated when there’s a hosepipe ban,’ Alan explained, and added (with a rather wry look at the camera), ‘don’t get me started.’

You don’t have to spend a lot – a simple kit like this 100L Strata Water Butt with Connection Kit, Tap and Stand from Argos is ideal for small spaces, and every little helps. There are even ways to make a cheap water butt look more attractive, if you’re worried about the way it’ll look. You’ll just need to make sure it’s set up in a way that makes the most of rainfall.

Alan says the best way to do that is by installing water butts beneath ‘Every downpipe of your house – in [his] case, it’s an old tile roof, and the lead flashing has been adjusted around the back to divert the water that comes onto that roof into the water butt.’

Nick Ee, product training manager at BLACK+DECKER, adds, ‘Once you’ve purchased your chosen water butt, you’ll need to position it next to a downpipe that collects rainwater from a roof, such as on your home, shed or garage. I recommend choosing somewhere with firm, level ground and make sure there’s enough room to access the tap easily. If possible, position it in a shaded spot to help keep the stored water cool.’

a water butt by a wooden shed in a garden with trellis and plant pots - Milos Ruzicka - GettyImages-1494799426

(Image credit: Getty Images/Milos Ruzicka)

Alan also addressed the common concern that a water butt will overflow during periods of heavy rainfall.

‘You can get downpipes with diverters in them which carry on filling [the water butt] until it’s full, and then the water goes down the drain.’

Try this Ward rainwater diverter kit from B&Q. You can even install a rain chain to make your water butt setup look every prettier, like this Fallen Fruits Copper Plated Rain Chain from John Lewis.

What you’ll need

A water butt or two (or three, or four!) is well worth the investment.

The charming way that Monty Don uses small terracotta pots in his garden – it’ll make your space a lot safer

The charming way that Monty Don uses small terracotta pots in his garden – it’ll make your space a lot safer

by | Aug 18, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Monty Don just posted a photo of his purple sprouting broccoli and tomatoes, and it wasn’t the thriving crops that caught my eye the most – it was actually the way he used terracotta plant pots as a safety measure.

There are a fair few ways to use broken pots in the garden, but if you have healthy spares lying around, Monty’s method is simple – and it looks a lot nicer than shoving other objects on the end of your plant supports.

I’ll be taking a leaf out of Monty’s book to save myself any accidental injuries in my own garden!

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Monty Don’s purple sprouting broccoli and ‘Gardener’s Delight’ tomatoes were the stars of his recent Instagram post – he said they’re loving the hot summer weather – but it’s what he wrote in brackets at the end of the caption that I liked the most: ‘[The] flowerpots are to stop poking out my eyes on the broccoli canes.’

I’ve spotted safety terracotta pots in a couple of Monty’s Instagram posts, and the way he uses them is simple: he balances one small pot on the end of each of his plant supports. Even the best plant supports can pose a safety hazard, and it’s easy to forget they’re there while you’re weeding your vegetable bed or tending to your crops in other ways – but Monty’s trick will keep you from injuring yourself.

It’s worth cleaning your terracotta pots if you want to have them looking their best. Or, you could buy a new set, like this affordable 12-pack of 6.5cm terracotta plant pots from Amazon.

Terracotta plant pots on plant supports in garden

(Image credit: Getty Images / kodachrome25)

What I like most about Monty’s plant pot trick is that they actually look nice – almost rustic, or Mediterranean, if you prefer that kind of garden design scheme. This set of 18 terracotta grow pots from Crocus are a similar style to Monty’s, too.

Commenters on Instagram agree that it’s a brilliant idea, noting that they’ve very nearly injured themselves on their own plant stakes and canes from time to time. If you have children, that’s even more of a reason to accident-proof your garden.

Terracotta plant pots stacked on blue wooden shelf next to garden string

(Image credit: Future PLC/Caroline Arber)

Where to buy small terracotta pots

Will you be using tiny terracotta pots as a safety measure in your garden?

Florists say this easy hack is a great way to breathe new life into an old plastic plant pot – it looks unbelievably pretty

Florists say this easy hack is a great way to breathe new life into an old plastic plant pot – it looks unbelievably pretty

by | Aug 14, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’ve been looking for a way to reuse an old plastic plant pot, I’ve just found the best TikTok hack that not only makes use of old plastic but will turn your cut flowers into a florist-worthy display.

I’m always down to discover a new way to recycle a plastic plant pot. While they’re great for starting young plants, they’re also one of those items that you are unsure of how to dispose of once they break or you run out of use for them.

If you need floral decoration ideas, this hack couldn’t be easier. Using the drainage holes in the base of the pot as you would a flower frog, it’s perfect for creating a stunning floral display this summer.

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The TikTok video posted by creators @jeffandlaurenshow shows Lauren placing a plant pot upside down in an opaque vase. She then pushes the stems of her cut flowers through the holes to hold them in place, creating a full-looking bouquet. This is essentially how a flower frog (£6.99, Amazon) works, holding your stems in place so you can arrange a display to your liking.

‘The drainage holes naturally help to hold your stems in place, giving you a little more structure and support as you arrange. While you won’t have quite as much control as you would with a traditional flower frog, it’s a lovely way to experiment with arranging and, importantly, means you’re giving an old pot a second life rather than sending it to waste,’ says Lucy Hook, Plant and Floral Lead at Bloom & Wild.

However, Lucy does recommend looking at the shape of pot holes first, as interestingly, this can determine what sort of vase to use.

‘A pot with holes arranged in a circular pattern works particularly well in a bowl or wide-necked vase, as it gives you plenty of space to spread your stems out and create a fuller, more natural-looking arrangement,’ she says.

‘If the holes are arranged in lines or a less open pattern, you may find your flowers are a little more restricted. If the pot allows, you could add a few extra holes to give yourself more flexibility when arranging.’

Is this a good hack to use?

If you’re looking for a budget garden idea that breathes new life into old plastic, this flower arranging hack is a good one to try.

Vase of flowers on rustic dining table with beige table runner.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith)

‘The biggest benefit is that you’re upcycling and getting creative with something you already have at home. Repurposing an old plant pot is a simple, inexpensive way to reduce waste, while also creating a lovely, informal arrangement,’ says Lucy.

‘You can also experiment with different sizes and shapes of pots, depending on the vase or bowl you’re using. The only downside is that you’re limited by the existing drainage holes, so you have slightly less control over where you place each stem compared to a traditional flower frog.’

As Lucy points out, a flower frog offers a little more structure, with you able to position stems exactly where you want them. It’s also worth noting that flower frogs have a more subtle look than plastic posts. This hack simply wouldn’t work in a glass vase where you can see the brown or black plastic.

However, if you’re looking to save money or reuse plastic around your home rather than binning it, it is a good one.

Will you try this easy flower arranging hack for your next soiree