Monty Don is a household name in the world of gardening. The BBC television presenter most famous for hosting Gardeners’ World will be presenting an evening of insights into his life when he visits Mansfield Palace Theatre on Sunday, 27th April.

Gardening is Monty’s passion and pleasure, whether it’s planning a new greenhouse or converting a soil heap into a rose garden. “I’ve been a gardener since I was about seven,” he said.

Monty believes that gardening can help people find new levels of personal satisfaction and social skills: “There’s something about being outdoors. It means you’ve invested in a process that has its own natural rhythm and that is something which has largely been lost from modern life, where everything’s just a click of a button away.”

People’s ‘connection to the earth’ is clearly a subject that Monty feels strongly about: “Having your hands in the soil is very healing. It’s now more important than ever that everyone gets access to growing things. When you choose to grow something in your own garden, there’s something rather unsullied about that,” he said.

“People are increasingly realising that what they eat is important. You can’t put junk food in your body and be healthy. All sorts of problems can develop, like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, strokes. Gardening not only helps with exercise and mental health, but it can improve diet as well. It’s pure and you don’t have to pay for it.”

This time of year is Monty’s favourite. He loves the period mid-April to May because of the promise it holds: “I get a great sense that everything is getting better with each day,” he says. “There’s a growing sense of excitement. I love high summer as well, but nothing beats a perfect May morning.”

Down to Earth – An Evening with Monty Don is at Mansfield Palace Theatre on Sunday, 27th April at 7.30pm. Tickets are £18.45 Full / £17.43 Concessions (including a 2.5% Booking Fee.) To book, please call the Box Office on 01623 633133 or book online at www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre