Brits have spent more than £16 billion on their gardens in the past year as lockdown forced us to stay at home, new research reveals.
A study of 2,000 people who have access to a garden – shared or owned – found the average household has forked out £241 on renovations and £180 on accessories, as lockdown restrictions meant more time was spent in backyards than usual.
Another £140 has been spent on tools, with more than half of those polled doing their own DIY rather than hiring a professional as they had more time on their hands.
It also emerged the typical garden is now home to Instagram-friendly fire pits (12%), garden gnomes (15%) and vegetable patches (28%).
And the garden census, commissioned by STIHL, found the trend for taking the inside outside is growing – with sofas (11%), summer houses (11%) and rugs (5%) making an appearance.
Hot tubs and exercise equipment also proved popular to keep fit and entertained during lockdown, with one in 20 owning one or the other.
But despite the amount of money spent, a third are still not happy with how their garden currently looks, and more than a quarter want to make it more colourful.
Paul Hicks, from STIHL, said: "After a year of spending more time in our gardens than ever before, it’s interesting to see what the key features are and what they want to improve.
"With spring around the corner, garden owners will be thinking about giving it a tidy up or even a full makeover ahead of spending time out there.
"With a lot of people still spending their days at home, there’s never been a more important time to make our outdoor space exciting and inviting, if only for ourselves."
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The study also found more than two thirds are looking forward to spending time in their garden this year.
And 46% admitted their garden has become more important to them since lockdown began.
Three quarters (76%) of those polled via OnePoll plan to use their outdoor space for relaxing and 64% will be continuing with their new hobby of gardening to help pass the time.
People are also planning to follow the wildflower planting (17%) and "grow your own" (26%) trends with 28% already owning a vegetable patch.
Paul added: "The garden was a welcome sanctuary for many people throughout 2020 and spending time outside looks set to be just as popular this year.
"Regular garden maintenance, whether it is mowing the lawn, trimming bushes or clearing leaves, will keep the garden tidy and by investing in the right tools these jobs can even become enjoyable."
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TOP 50 THINGS IN BRITISH GARDENS:
1. Plant pots
2. Washing line
3. Shed
4. Gate
5. Bird feeder
6. Dining table and chairs set
7. Garden ornaments
8. Hanging baskets
9. Bench
10. Barbecue
11. Trough planters
12. Parasol
13. Vegetable patch
14. Sun lounger
15. Fairy lights
16. Stepping stones
17. Wildflower garden
18. Greenhouse
19. Coffee table
20. Lanterns
21. Water feature
22. Flood lights
23. Garden gnome
24. Pond
25. Picnic bench
26. Chiminea
27. Fire Pit
28. Floor lights e.g. within a path or decking
29. Outdoor sofa
30. Summer house
31. Gazebo
32. Trampoline
33. Pergola
34. Swing
35. Swing bench
36. Football goal
37. Playhouse
38. Sandpit
39. Animal enclosure e.g. chickens, ducks etc
40. Climbing frame
41. Egg chair
42. Hammock
43. Hot tub
44. Outdoor exercise equipment
45. Outdoor rug
46. Swimming pool
47. Bar
48. Netball net
49. Ping Pong table
50. Pizza oven
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