Obituary for Matthew Biggs – Gardener and Broadcaster

Matthew John Biggs
(2 June 1960 – 21 May 2026)

Evington’s local lad who shared gardening with the nation

Matthew John Biggs, who has died aged 65, will be remembered by many across the country as one of Britain’s most trusted gardening voices, through his long association with BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and a lifetime of writing, teaching and speaking about plants.

For those of us in Evington, however, Matthew was not only a familiar name from radio and television—he was a neighbour, and a proud local lad whose story began here.

Matthew was born in Leicester and grew up in Evington with his two brothers. The family home was on Main Street, Evington. He was born with mild cerebral palsy, which caused a limp on his left side. Before the studios, books and lecture circuits, he was simply Matthew from down the road—known to many in the area through everyday community life, and through the quiet, dependable way he carried himself, even as a young man. He attended the City of Leicester Boys’ Grammar School and then worked in the Parks Department of Leicester City Council.

As his career developed—first as a gardener and then as a broadcaster—Matthew never lost the gift for putting people at ease. He returned to speak locally, giving gardening talks in Evington with the same calm authority and warmth that later made him such a reassuring presence on air. One moment that still makes me smile captures Matthew perfectly: he once said how difficult it felt to give a lecture with his former maths teacher in the audience—Harry Pettman. It was classic Matthew: accomplished, but never self-important; always respectful of the people and places that had shaped him.

Nationally, Matthew became a mainstay of Gardeners’ Question Time, joining in the late 1980s and serving as a panellist for 35 years. He offered advice with clarity, humility, and an obvious pleasure in plants. “His expertise was always of the highest standard,” said Roy Lancaster. “He had an interest in anything from mosses to wildflowers to roses and turnips.” For decades he was widely admired for advice that was practical, honest and encouraging. He wrote extensively, gave countless talks to garden societies, and helped many people feel that gardening was something they could do—without fuss, without jargon, and with pleasure in the small successes as well as the grand designs.

Along with people like King Charles III, Beth Chatto and David Austin, he received the Victoria Medal of Honour in May 2026 for his achievements in horticulture.

The family moved to Hertfordshire in 1999. While having treatment at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Matthew began designing a wellbeing and health garden for the centre, describing it as the best legacy he could leave. If, in memory of Matthew, you would like to donate to this sanctuary garden project, you can do so via JustGiving:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mountvernongardenproject

Matthew leaves his wife, Gill; his children, Chloe, Jessica and Henry; his wider family; and many, many friends.

Evington can be proud that one of its own went on to become, in the best sense, a gardener for the whole country.

Helen Pettman