How much have Britons spent on their gardens in the past year?
The majority of those polled said they are looking forward to spending time in their garden this year
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Your support makes all the difference.Brits have spent more than £16bn on gardening in the past year, a poll claims.
A survey of 2,000 people who have access to a garden – shared or owned – found the average household had spent £241 on renovations and £180 on accessories, as coronavirus restrictions meant more time was spent in back yards than usual.
A further £140 has been spent on tools, with more than half of those polled doing their own DIY rather than hiring a professional as they found they had more time on their hands. It also emerged the typical British garden was currently home to Instagram-friendly fire pits, garden gnomes and vegetable patches.
And the garden census, commissioned by STIHL, a manufacturer of chainsaws and other power equipment, found the trend for taking the inside out is growing – with sofas, summer houses and rugs all making an appearance.
Hot tubs and exercise equipment also proved popular, with one in 20 respondents owning one or the other.
But despite the amount of money spent, some people were still not happy with how their garden looked, and more than one-quarter want to make it more colourful.
Paul Hicks, from STIHL, said: “After a year of spending more time in our gardens than ever before, it’s interesting to see what the key features are and what they want to improve.
“With spring around the corner, garden owners will be thinking about giving it a tidy up or even a full makeover ahead of spending time out there.
“With a lot of people still spending their days at home, there’s never been a more important time to make our outdoor space exciting and inviting, if only for ourselves.”
The poll also found that most people were looking forward to spending time in their garden this year. Nearly half admitted their garden had become more important to them since lockdown began.
Three-quarters of those polled via OnePoll planned to use their outdoor space for relaxing and the majority of people said they would continue with their new hobby of gardening to help pass the time.
People are also planning to follow the wildflower planting and “grow your own” trends with several already owning a vegetable patch.
Mr Hicks added: “The garden was a welcome sanctuary for many people throughout 2020 and spending time outside looks set to be just as popular this year.
“Regular garden maintenance, whether it is mowing the lawn, trimming bushes or clearing leaves, will keep the garden tidy and by investing in the right tools these jobs can even become enjoyable.”
SWNS
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