Gardening is officially cool and there's #SowMuchMore to it
4th Jun 2021
Think the typical gardening enthusiast is retirement age with a large outside space? Think again. Draper Tools has surveyed the nation’s young people to get their views on gardening and it’s clear gardening is enjoying a renaissance among 18 – 34 year olds.
Night clubs out, garden centres in
The Draper Tools poll of 2,000 young people found that gardening has enjoyed a surge in popularity among 18 to 34 year-olds during lockdown.
83% of young people now describe gardening as 'cool' and 54% would rather amble around a garden centre than dance the night away in a club.
The appeal is rooted in mindfulness, with a desire to make their homes and gardens a nicer place to be, to improve mental health, and creating a space they can escape to.
It also emerged that gardening is so popular that young adults spend close to two hours during a typical week taking care of their beloved plants.
Kev Smith, Head of Marketing at Draper Tools commented on the findings: “The popularity among young adults is fantastic to see, we knew it was popular, but even we were surprised by the outpouring of love for it.
There’s a tendency to think of gardening as an activity for older people, but this study proves that gardening really is for everyone, whatever your age.
Gardening is a very calming activity, as well as a rewarding one – everyone can enjoy the benefits it brings.”
Shopping for the garden
The study found the most popular houseplants among those polled are cacti, orchids, and aloe vera, followed by basil, spider plants and peace lilies.
Outdoors, the most common are daffodils, roses, and lavender, along with tulips, mint and hydrangea.
While the act of gardening itself is one of the biggest appeals – it appears to be more than that.
Two thirds (66%) also said they love shopping for gardening items – whether that’s plants, seeds, or tools.
To date, those polled have spent £318.56 on such items – with 58% revealing they’ve spent more on gardening during the past 12 months or so than ever before.
In fact, 56% said gardening is one of the things which has kept them going in the wake of the pandemic.
But this doesn’t mean their interest looks likely to shrivel-up like an unloved plant – 72% intend to keep on investing in plants, tools, equipment, and more to fulfil their vision for their garden.
Garden size doesn’t matter
Carried out through OnePoll, the study also found 60% wish they had access to more outside space than they do currently – so they could be even more green fingered.
However, 78% believe you don’t need a big outdoor area to experience the benefits of gardening.
The most popular place to grow plants is on the kitchen windowsill, while living rooms, bathrooms and balconies are also popular locations for all things green.
Kev Smith continued: “Gardening is incredibly accessible which might in part explain its increasing popularity.
Wherever you live, whatever your space, anyone can give growing plants a go – and we’re seeing more and more people embracing this.
The transformative effect of plants on areas big or small is just one of many great things about having plants in your home – both inside and out.”
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#SowMuchMore to gardening
The research has shown that there really is so much more to gardening than the outdated stereotype of it being a hobby for retired people or those with large gardens. Gardening is bringing joy to every generation, offering huge benefits to all.
In fact, gardening really is about more than just the act of gardening. More than two thirds of young people love gardening because it’s good for mental health, while more than half love it because it’s good exercise, great for the environment and strengthens connections with nature.
We’ll exploring all this and more on social media, using the hashtag #SowMuchMore - lookout for some exciting with collaborations some of the coolest gardeners we know. And, share your gardening journey with us using #SowMuchMore.
