And while most gardeners obviously only do it as a hobby, Suzanne Moss, the RHS’s head of education and learning, says the pastime has proved to be especially beneficial throughout the pandemic. “During the lockdowns, people formed new relationships with their gardens.
“They were no longer places of weeds and work. They became a refuge.”
This sentiment is echoed by Viren Swami, professor of social psychology at Anglia Ruskin University. He is co-author of a report called Emotional Well-Being Under Conditions of Lockdown,, external which found that people who spent more time outside during the pandemic were happier than those who remained mostly indoors.
“Pre-pandemic we know that people were spending more time indoors than ever before in human history,” says Prof Swami. “The more time spent outdoors, the more you’ll feel the restorative effects. Beyond mental and physical health, being outdoors improves imagination and learning, and increases creativity and the feeling of fulfilment.”
Ms Moss adds that the increased interest in becoming a professional gardener comes as the pandemic has highlighted the fragility of nature in general. “Many people have realised how important it is not only to protect our own health, but the environment’s too,” she says.
The horticulture sector is worth £24bn to the UK economy, according to the RHS, which only sees that increasing as firms in all sectors realise the importance of making their outdoor spaces greener.
“Horticulture is a specialism that businesses are crying out for,” says Ms Moss. “We need people who can help industries adapt for sustainability.”
Yet could the increased interest in gardening only be temporary? That is the suggestion of a report earlier this year by University College London., external
It found that a third of UK people were now doing less gardening and DIY than they were during the first lockdown of 2020. However, this may be because the weather was much better during spring and early summer last year.
Lois O’Connell does not let cold temperatures or rain put her off her gardening work. “It surprised me how much I loved gardening through the winter months,” said the 29-year-old RHS student.
