Gardening is a quintessentially British pastime. Rain or shine (and more often than not, in the rain) Brits across the country are out tending their little patches of pride and joy. In particular, the older generation can often be seen spending summer afternoons weeding, watering and basking in the beautiful gardens they have sometimes spent years developing. And yet, for all its charm, gardening has struggled to win over younger people. Today’s “typical” gardener is often over 55, female and middle-class, and that average age has only continued to rise over the past two decades.
There are obvious reasons why gardening’s popularity is decreasing. The cost-of-living crisis, coupled with a cultural shift towards settling down later in life, means fewer people have a space to truly call their own. While 87 per cent of Brits technically have access to a garden, many of these are rented or shared. They don’t want to spend time beautifying their landlord’s or their rude neighbour’s space; they want their own.
Still, waiting for perfect circumstances may mean never starting at all. Nearly half of Brits already own a houseplant, proving the desire to nurture something green is alive and well. The next step is simply taking that instinct outdoors.
While house plants often attract flies, spiders, and other creepy crawlies you may dislike lurking around your bedroom, outdoor plants can improve the local environment by creating a safe, welcoming space for local wildlife. As a plus, native creatures often prefer low-maintenance plants, too. Lavender, hydrangeas, and shrubberies create lovely homes for hedgehogs, small birds, and a garden’s best little helper: the bumblebee. These plants grow easily, take very little upkeep and provide a lovely fragrance to enjoy in warmer months. Arguably, they are easier and more beneficial than a houseplant.
There’s also something to be said for working with, rather than against, the British climate. Grey skies and regular rain might dampen spirits, but they do wonders for plant life. With the right choices, even the dullest view can be lifted by bursts of colour. Your windowsill cactus is surely helping spark some colourful joy, but it will be undoubtedly nicer accented by some cheery honeysuckle outside the glass.
Or, perhaps you want to see your dinner outside your window? Growing your own food might sound ambitious, but it’s surprisingly accessible. Squash, potatoes, lettuce, and carrots are all relatively easy to grow in British climates and feature in many common meals. Alternatively, you could grow strawberries, currants or rhubarb if you have more of a sweet tooth. Growing food is a tradition that stretches back to the Government’s “Dig for Victory” campaign during the Second World War, when gardens became vital sources of food. Whilst there is less of a necessity today, there is still a lot of joy and satisfaction. After all, supermarket radishes can’t compete with the bragging rights of growing your own.
Gardening doesn’t come without its difficulties. It does take a little time, some research, and a lot of crouching down to tend a garden. Although what’s the alternative, spending another evening scrolling through your phone, or another sunny afternoon wishing you had a nice way to enjoy the weather? It’s never too late to start a new hobby; gardens grow every year. This spring, considering welcoming the British tradition of gardening.
Featured image credit: Alex Paterson
Editor-in-Chief.
Twitter/X and BlueSky: @AlexPaterson01
