Here Are 13 Interesting (And Surprising) Gardening Statistics From UK Households
Gardening is undoubtedly a favourite British pastime, with a huge number of people (both young and old) taking to their gardens each year for enjoyment and homegrown fruit and veg.
But have you ever wondered what percentage of the population actually have access to a garden – and how many of these are actively growing their own edible produce?
We share some headline statistics from UK Census data and surveys which help paint a picture of a nation obsessed with their garden:
Headline UK Gardening Statistics
- 87% of UK households have a garden. (2021)
- 28% of people in the UK have a vegetable patch in their garden. (2021)
- The amount spent on gardening products in the UK per year is expected to reach over £6.5 billion by 2025. (2021)
- Gardening is most popular with those who are aged 55 and over, with 51.42% stating that they enjoy gardening. (2020)
- 36% of individuals in the UK grow their own herbs, fruit or vegetables in their garden (2022)
- 87% of those in the UK want to bring more wildlife to their gardens. (2018)
- There has been a conscious move towards organic and eco-friendly products, with 46% of gardeners using organic fertilisers instead of those filled with chemicals. (2018)
- Demographically, ages 65 and over spend the most on gardening products, averaging around £5.10 per week. (2023)
- The average UK garden size is 188m². (2021)
- The rose is the UK’s favourite garden flower. (2017)
- 22% of UK gardeners are reducing the size of their lawns and replacing them with other garden features. (2016)
- The most popular months for UK gardeners to start a project are March and April. (2016)
- 61% of consumers make their purchase of compost medium based on price. (2012)
See more on each of these stats below:
1) 87% of UK households have a garden
Data collected in the 2021 census found that 87% of UK households had access to a garden.1One in eight British households has no garden. (2020, May 14). Office for National Statistics: Census 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/oneineightbritishhouseholdshasnogarden/2020-05-14
However, this did mean that 1 in 8 individuals had no access to a private outdoor space at this time, which increased to 1 in 5 households in London, which was the area where homeowners were least likely to have a garden.
Those in unskilled occupations or who were unemployed were 3 times less likely to have a garden compared to those in professional occupations.
Luckily, those without access to a private garden were more likely to live closer to a public park.
2) 28% of people in the UK have a vegetable patch in their garden
In a study published by Statista in 2021, it was revealed that 28% of adults in the UK with access to a private garden had a vegetable patch.2Statista Research Department. (2021, March 18). Top garden trends in the UK 2021. Statista. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1256234/top-garden-trends-in-the-uk/
The survey, which had 2,000 participants, found that this was the most popular garden trend in 2021, whilst owning garden gnomes was the second most popular, with 15% of respondents reportedly stating that they owned at least one.
3) The amount spent on gardening products in the UK per year is expected to reach over £6.5 billion by 2025
In data released in 2021 by Statista, the predicted total value of sales of gardening products in the UK is set to reach over £6.5 billion, up from £4.9 billion in 2020.3Statista Research Department. (2021b, August 18). Total value sales of garden products in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020, with a forecast for 2025. Statista. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1256689/total-value-sales-of-garden-products-in-the-uk/
This would mean an approximate 32% increase over 5 years in the amount spent on gardening tools, flowers, and other items in the UK, whether these items are purchased online or in shops or garden centres.
4) Gardening is most popular with those who are aged 55 and over, with 51.42% stating that they enjoy gardening
51.42% of individuals aged 55 and older state that they enjoy gardening, with gardening proving to be the most popular among this age group.4Statista Research Department. (2021c, August 20). Share of the public that enjoy gardening in the United Kingdom (UK) as of December 2020, by age. Statista. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254970/share-of-the-public-that-enjoy-gardening-by-age-uk/
A 2020 UK survey with 2,041 participants found that older people are more likely to enjoy gardening, with less than 30% of those in the youngest age bracket stating that they like to garden.
The survey found that as the respondents got older, they were more likely to enjoy gardening and participate in it as a hobby.
5) 36% of individuals in the UK grow their own herbs, fruit or vegetables in their garden
In a study carried out by YouGov for the Horticultural Trades Association in October 2022, it found that 36% of adults in the UK use their garden or other outdoor spaces to grow their own vegetables, fruit, or herbs.5Horticultural Trade Association. (2023a, January). State of the Market Report. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://hta.org.uk/media/2opg11yw/state-of-the-market-report-vf.pdf
This data highlighted that over one-third of those living in the UK grew their own food in 2022, whether that was in a container or a vegetable patch.
The same study also revealed that 62% of respondents use their garden spaces to grow plants, flowers or trees, whilst 49% use them to feed or watch wildlife.
6) 87% of those in the UK want to bring more wildlife to their gardens
Wyevale garden centre’s garden trends report in 2018 revealed that 87% of adults in the UK with a garden wanted to attract more wildlife into their outdoor spaces.6Wyevale Garden Centres. (2018). Garden Trends Report. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.gardenforum.co.uk/media/articles/WGC%20Garden%20Trends%20Report%202018.pdf
The same study also found that 37% of those surveyed found that wildlife was the best part about owning a garden, rating it ahead of growing their own plants or vegetables.
86% of gardeners try to help wildlife in their gardens by feeding them or providing shelter.
7) There has been a conscious move towards organic and eco-friendly garden products, with 46% of gardeners using organic fertilisers instead of those filled with chemicals
A 2018 garden trends report conducted by Wyevale garden centre found that 46% of gardeners now consciously use organic fertilisers rather than those which contain potentially harmful chemicals.7Wyevale Garden Centres. (2018). Garden Trends Report. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.gardenforum.co.uk/media/articles/WGC%20Garden%20Trends%20Report%202018.pdf
This research also found that slug pellets (which had previously been the centre’s number one selling slug product) were not even in the top 3, with an organic alternative now clinching the top spot.
8) Ages 65 and over spend the most on gardening products, averaging around £5.10 per week
A 2023 study released found that those aged over 65 spent the most on gardening products weekly in 2022, averaging around £5.10.8Statista Research Department. (2023, August 21). Average weekly household expenditure on horticultural goods, garden equipment and plants in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2021, by age of household reference person. Statista. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/285700/plants-and-garden-tools-weekly-uk-household-expenditure-by-age/
50-64 year-olds were not far behind, spending £4.50 per week, whilst the youngest bracket of people spent just under £2 per week on average on gardening products.
The data was collected from 5,630 households and also found that those aged above 74 started to spend less on gardening products than those in the age category below them.
9) The average UK garden size is 188m²
In data revealed in the 2021 UK census, it was found that the average UK garden is 188m².9One in eight British households has no garden. (2020, May 14). Office for National Statistics: Census 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/oneineightbritishhouseholdshasnogarden/2020-05-14
However, those with a garden in London have a much smaller outdoor space, averaging 140m², with those in Scotland getting the best deal, with an average garden size of 226m².
The census found that on average, gardens in the London area are up to 26% small than those in the rest of the UK.
10) The rose is the UK’s favourite garden flower
2,000 adults in the UK were asked by Monarch Airlines to name their favourite flower, with the classic garden rose coming out on top.10Bagot, M. (2017, May 21). Britain’s favourite flower has been revealed. The Mirror. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britains-favourite-flower-been-revealed-10467227
Lilies, tulips, daffodils and sunflowers also made the top 5, with daisies, irises and snapdragons amongst others in the top 30.
This 2017 survey also found that although it was our favourite flower, 33% of those surveyed were unaware that the rose is the national flower of England.
The study also found that 3 in 10 participants viewed giving flowers as the best way to cheer someone up.
11) 22% of UK gardeners are reducing the size of their lawns and replacing them with other garden features
In a 2016 landscaping trends survey carried out by Houzz, it was revealed that garden lawns were declining in popularity, with 22% of gardeners admitting to reducing the size of their lawns.11Simmons, J. (2016, August 5). 12 Surprising Facts About UK Gardens and What We Do in Them. Houzz. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/12-surprising-facts-about-uk-gardens-and-what-we-do-in-them-stsetivw-vs~69605966
Of this 22%, 54% revealed that they were replacing their lawn with garden beds, favouring flowers and shrubs over a grassy area.
In fact, 12% of those surveyed even said that they were getting rid of their lawn altogether.
In this same study, 67% of people said that having a low-maintenance garden was very important and one of the top requirements when it comes to decorating their outdoor space.
12) The most popular months for UK gardeners to start a project are March and April
March and April are the months when most UK gardeners start a gardening project.12Simmons, J. (2016, August 5). 12 Surprising Facts About UK Gardens and What We Do in Them. Houzz. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/12-surprising-facts-about-uk-gardens-and-what-we-do-in-them-stsetivw-vs~69605966
Houzz’s landscaping trends survey in 2016 found that in addition to this, planning for these gardening projects usually begins in winter, with 67% of those surveyed stating that they start thinking about what to plant 4 months before they start.
71% of homeowners in the UK prefer growing flowering plants, whilst 58% deliberately grow flowers that are known to be beneficial for pollinators.
13) 61% of consumers make their purchase of compost medium based on price
Even though peat is known to be harmful to the environment by most people, in a study carried out by OnePoll, 61% of consumers said they still choose the compost for their garden based on price rather than the content.13The Sustainable Growing Media Task Force. (2012, June). Towards Sustainable Growing Media: Chairman’s Report and Roadmap. GOV: Sustainable Growing Media Task Force. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/221019/pb13867-towards-sustainable-growing-media.pdf
Worryingly, this includes products that contain peat, highlighting the need for more education on the impact of peat and the need to potentially decrease the cost of peat-free growing mediums.
In addition to this, 67% of those in the same survey did not understand what a standard bag of compost contained.
This suggests that those people are also unlikely to opt for peat-free growing mediums because they don’t even know that peat is part of some composts.
