David Pearce, who worked for the King in the kitchen garden for about a year during the pandemic, told the Daily Mail that Charles is very particular about his vegetables. He said the monarch banned squash and courgettes, but particularly likes spinach. Gardeners were tasked with growing a whole bed of salad and two beds of asparagus, as well as onions, leeks and Florence fennel.
A Sunday Times investigation found that between 2022 and 2025, 11 of the 12-strong gardening team at Highgrove quit, including the head gardener and his deputy. In March 2022, half of the team were allegedly earning minimum wage. Pearce said gardeners had the opportunity to walk around with the King, who would explain his preferences. Charles regularly patrols the grounds with secateurs and writes handwritten notes to staff in red.
Pearce praised the King's eco-friendly practices, saying his credentials were ahead of his time. He cultivated wildflower meadows instead of primping lawns and used electric gadgets to zap pests instead of chemical sprays.