Dame Mary Berry: The Enduring Passion for Gardening and Why Retirement Is Not on the Horizon

Dame Mary Berry, the celebrated television chef and former judge on The Great British Bake Off, has unveiled her debut gardening book, My Gardening Life. The 91-year-old Dame, who was born in Bath, shared insights into her lifelong connection with nature during a conversation with comedian and former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc at the Hay Festival.

Berry traced the origins of her horticultural enthusiasm back to her childhood during the Second World War. With restrictions often keeping her indoors, the garden became a vital refuge. She recalled picking strawberries with her father and spending time outdoors, noting that theme parks were non-existent and access to public parks was limited due to wartime curfews. “We enjoyed the garden and since then I've always enjoyed the outdoors,” she explained.

During those years, her father cultivated practical crops such as potatoes, sweet peas, and celery to sustain the family, adhering to the era’s “dig for victory” ethos. Berry also tended to her own small plot, where she grew radishes and lettuce, a experience that taught her the virtue of patience. “To me the garden is a sanctuary,” she said. “The first thing I do when I get home is open the back door, the dogs follow me out and I check whether my husband has done the watering and if not, I'll do it.”

Her gardening journey faced early challenges. Her first garden as a married woman was located at a property on Farmer Street in Notting Hill, west London. Despite her affection for the house, the small garden was in “total shade,” resulting in her favorite plants failing to thrive. “I planted all my favourite plants and nothing happened,” she admitted.

However, her fortunes changed after moving with her husband and two sons to the countryside in Penn, Buckinghamshire. It was here that she truly honed her skills. Their home, Watercroft, boasted a substantial 3.5-acre garden, which she opened to the public for a decade as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Following her children’s departure, the couple downsized to their current residence in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, to be closer to family. The new garden features a greenhouse, a pond, hedges, raised beds, and an abundance of roses, with some design elements inspired by fellow gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh. Berry advocates for practicality, stating, “It's sensible to grow what you eat,” and currently cultivates red onions, lettuce, and carrots.

While Berry acknowledges having a professional gardener assist her one day a week for the past 32 years, she emphasizes that gardening is “all a learning curve.” She recommends that aspiring gardeners test their soil, observe sunlight patterns, understand optimal plant placement, and compile lists of desired flora before conducting thorough research. She also maintains strict boundaries for her pets, noting that her two spaniels are trained to avoid the lawn and flower beds. “I love my dogs, but I get very angry if they go on the flower beds,” she said.

Berry believes that gardening and cooking complement each other perfectly, and she highlights the significant mental health benefits of spending time outside. When asked about the secret to a happy life, her answer was simple: “To be kind.”

Offering advice to the younger generation, she urged them to “follow your dreams, work hard and take every opportunity you can,” particularly by seeking work experience during school holidays to bolster their resumes. As for her own future, Berry remains enthusiastic about her work. “I love what I do, so why would I retire?” she concluded.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-28 17:38:21 UTC