The pandemic has created a nation of gardeners and home-growers
Common Sense Gardening commissioned consumer research to learn more about the “Shape of British Gardening in 2021”. Interviewing a representative sample of over 2,000 people, the study reveals the attitudes and habits in the garden today and uncovers trends that will shape gardening in the years ahead.
A Nation of Gardeners
With the arrival of the pandemic, people have had the time to become more green thumbed than ever before. No longer just the pursuit of an older generation, a younger more urban audience are now discovering the benefits of nurturing and growing in their own green space, in pots or herb gardens.
Close to 90% of householders engage in some forms of gardening in their outdoor spaces, with 75% of households gardening at least monthly through the season. Furthermore, 56% of people have gardened more since the pandemic, with over 20% stating a definite commitment to keeping up the hobby.
Ben Shapiro, Chairman of Common Sense Gardening commented “The research shows that we are indeed a nation of gardeners, and people’s new found love of growing is seemingly for life and not just for lockdown”:
Mental and Physical Wellbeing
85% of all people who do at least some gardening activity state reasons for their gardening which relate to enhanced mental & physical wellbeing.
Ben Shapiro “It’s great to see that people are finding joy in the process of gardening. Only 7% of those surveyed say that they garden purely to keep their garden under control – people are finding many more positive reasons to dig in”
Sustainability, biodiversity and the environment
People are thinking about the environmental impact of their gardening more with 77% of people consider sustainability when gardening, and 72% are actively promoting biodiversity in their garden with bird feeders, a pond, herb/vegetable patch or a bug hotel. This is consistent with the finding that 75% of people feel it is important to attract wildlife into their garden. Over half of the population consider their gardening as having more than just an ornamental impact: 49% of respondents grow their own edibles, and when buying plants 50% consider its ability to attract wildlife.
Ben Shapiro “Gardeners are exploring ways to play their part in protecting and enhancing the environment, whether it’s through growing their own produce, encouraging biodiversity or being more mindful around pest management and responsible disposal.”
Dave Bench, Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association said “One of the important objectives of the Common Sense Gardening group is to promote responsible use of garden products and it looks like gardeners understand this. people report using garden care products in an integrated approach to pest control, with over 50% controlling pests and weeds by hand”.
August 2021
Note to Editor:
The Crop Protection Association (CPA):
The CPA is the voice of the UK plant science industry.
Promoting the essential role of science and innovation in protecting food, parks, gardens, roads and railways.
Advocating good stewardship, better regulation and best practice.
Our members are involved in the development and manufacture of a wide range of plant science technologies which are of crucial importance to the cultivation and protection of food crops, protecting our gardens, woodlands, infrastructure and public places.
These include the formulation and manufacture of synthetic and bio pesticides, seed and plant breeding and agricultural biotechnology.
Common Sense Gardening:
Common Sense Gardening is the Crop Protection Association’s Garden Group which represents the manufacturers of garden care products and encourage their responsible use. Common Sense Gardening work with HM Government & key stakeholders in the Amateur garden sector to encourage a consistent approach to product regulation and responsible product usage, disposal and recycling. Members include Evergreen, Doff Portland, SBM and Vitax.
Common Sense Gardening’s current priorities are to encourage consistent product labelling and a consistent approach to recycling and product packaging. Further insight from this report will be made available.