NEWS COPY
Our green-fingered reputation is under threat after a study revealed millions of us love the idea of having a beautiful garden – but don’t want to get our hands dirty.
Researchers discovered the typically British juxtaposition during a study carried out among 2,000 adults which also found one third of the nation have ‘no interest’ in gardening despite half of Brits saying that daily life would be improved if they had easier access to green space and could spend more time outdoors.
While many who took part do all they can to avoid having to don a pair of gardening gloves and get stuck into a bit of weeding, others expressed a desire to become green-fingered, but said they simply didn’t have the time.
A lack of confidence caused by a dearth of knowledge, and even the fact their parents didn’t pass down any gardening tips are also holding back wannabe gardeners, according to the study.
Researchers also found 70 per cent of the nation have tried gardening – only to become disheartened when it ends in failure.
Yesterday organic fruit tea drinks Honest brand ambassador Julia Bradbury, which commissioned the research, said: “Interestingly over half of all Brits feel their daily lives could be improved by spending more time outdoors, and one in three would love to be able to grow their own herbs, fruit and veg at home - but so many of us DON'T do either, because we don’t want to get our hands dirty or feel we don’t have the time.
“It’s really important to make the time to switch off a bit from daily pressures, and getting outside in open green spaces can be a quick way to do that.
“There are lots of easy ways to help restore your balance; from spending more time in a park or community garden, or growing your own fruit or veg at home – even just in a window box. And getting your hands dirty is good sometimes!"
The study also found one in ten (eight per cent) believe no outdoor space holds them back from gardening and one third (36per cent ) said they did no gardening at all.
Our incompetence was further exposed by the fact 41 per cent have killed a plant by over-watering it and 37 per cent by not giving it enough water.
More than one quarter of Brits (26 per cent) have killed a plant within a week due to lack of gardening skills, and seven per cent confess they even killed a cactus, which is no mean feat when they require little maintenance.
Three per cent even admitted they have killed a plant within a day.
In fact in some cases Brits are so short of knowledge that 14 per cent of the nation can only dream of keeping a houseplant alive for a full year.
The findings also revealed more than one in four (27 per cent) don’t have a single plant in their home and one in ten have just one plant.
By contrast the study also found over one third (33 per cent) would like to grow their own fruit, herbs and vegetables at home.
Honest is working with Groundworks Mobile City Garden to champion easier access to green space and community gardens.
Speaking at Groundwork’s Mobile City Garden in London Julia Bradbury said, “I'm happy to be working with Honest and the team at Groundwork to help bring more green spaces and gardens to busy urban areas.
‘’It's no secret that gardening and spending more time outdoors can have a positive impact on physical health and mental wellbeing - and this can be especially important to people who live in busy towns and cities.”
· Honest is kick-starting its partnership with Groundwork by supporting the Energy Garden initiative in London, a partnership led by Repowering London, Groundwork London and Transport for London. Energy Garden is a non-profit initiative which aims to create community gardening opportunities on and around the London Overground network, in part funded through revenue generated through community energy systems.
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