A greener garden could be the key to increasing the value of your home – with 57 per cent of Brits paying more for a home with lush greenery, a study has found. First impressions matter, with 62 percent saying that a lush garden makes a property more appealing, ahead of other factors like the condition of the roof (50 percent) or walls (47 percent).
Britons with increasingly green thumbs could also look to nature to ensure their homes stand out, as nearly two-thirds of homeowners worry about losing the greenery in their gardens. And those who invest their time in gardening are likely to reap the benefits, as three-quarters said they prefer natural grass to artificial alternatives.
But being green isn’t easy for everyone — with a lack of knowledge about plants (26 percent), too much physical involvement (21 percent) and a lack of time (19 percent) among the barriers to more natural green gardens . However, more than three quarters (77 percent) are willing to change their gardening habits and almost half are willing to create more wildlife habitats.
And four in ten want to invest in planting native plants, while more than a third would introduce more natural greenery such as lawns, shrubs and trees. The study of 2,000 adults who own a home with a yard found that seven out of 10 respondents tend to their own yard — growing flowers, watering plants and mowing the lawn are among their favorite pastimes.
The study, commissioned by Honda UK Power Equipment, also found that the pandemic has changed views on gardening – more than a third are now more interested in the pastime than they were before March 2020. The typical homeowner spends an average of 168 minutes – almost three hours – a week in her garden during the spring and summer months.
And far from being a fair-weather gardener, they continue to maintain a 102-minute weekly routine between September and February.
It also found that gardens have become a central part of everyday life, as homeowners enjoy relaxing (67 percent), entertaining friends and family (39 percent), dining (36 percent) and their pets (24 percent) to keep out. And more than seven in 10 believe gardening improves their mental health.
Garden designer and RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold winner Kate Gould said: “Gardens are the natural richness of a property and create the first and last impression for potential buyers. “When a garden has beautifully manicured greenery, it is far more likely to attract attention.
“With so many man-made alternatives that don’t always reduce maintenance, a green space’s appeal can quickly be lost. We must not forget the role our green spaces play beyond aesthetics. It’s about balancing practicality with the common goal of not forgetting nature.”
But while one in five respondents cited mowing the lawn as the most time-consuming part of maintaining their lawn, according to OnePoll, more than three in 10 would enjoy gardening more if they had technology to assist.
Steve Morris, Head of Power Equipment at Honda, who commissioned the research to highlight its Miimo autonomous robot lawn mower, said: “We know life is busier than ever and that often keeps us from greening a garden to keep.
“However, the technology is on our side. Through intuitive features like full autonomy, auto-loading and micro-mulching, technology can take some of those time-consuming tasks off our hands, so we can focus on what we love about gardens – even if that’s just relaxing in one.”
Garden designer Kate Gould’s top tips for adding greenery
- Add year-round greenery to create a backbone of structure that will add interest to even the dullest of winter months.
- Plant with regard to pollinating insects. Not only do these plants look wonderful—and often smell wonderful—they are good for the planet, too.
- Create a real lawn. No comparison to artificial.
- Planting trees is one of the easiest ways to create a green space, and their presence adds tremendous visual value to our outdoor spaces.
- Consider planting herbs and lettuce plants in plants near your kitchen or grill. They provide a fresh source for cutting and harvesting all summer long.
- Take care of your health when gardening. Raised beds are a great choice for young people, the elderly, or those with limited mobility.
- Plant with a warmer planet in mind—palms, cycads, and other tropical plants add texture and interest year-round.
- Caring for and tending to your plants is proven to be good for you too – so water and fertilize, prune and tidy up, and you’ll be all the better for you.
- Consider permeable surfaces to aid water drainage. Gravel not only looks beautiful but is also inexpensive to install.
- Take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Gardening is hard work, so it’s time to relax and unwind in the space you’ve created.
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