Grandparents have passed down gardening skills to one in three Brits but most think younger generations are more interested in electronic devices, survey finds
- More than half believe that different generations now spend less time gardening
- The RHS survey found that only 15 per cent gardened as part of their education
It seems that green fingers are handed down from generation to generation.
Nearly one in three of us picked up a love of gardening from our parents or grandparents, a survey has found.
But more than half believe that different generations now spend less time gardening with each other than in decades gone by.
A YouGov survey for the Royal Horticultural Society of more than 2,000 adults across the UK found that the biggest single reason given for spending less time together gardening intergenerationally was that younger generations are interested in electronic devices (13 per cent).
Those that did garden with parents or grandparents listed their top activities as: planting veg (23 per cent), followed by planting flowers (21 per cent), followed by cutting the lawn (11 per cent).
People in Wales were most likely to say they wanted to spend more time with older or younger family members in the garden, followed by the North then Midlands and the East.
Nearly one in three of us picked up a love of gardening from our parents or grandparents, a survey has found
More than half believe that different generations now spend less time gardening with each other than in decades gone by
Bonding time with family was cited as the biggest advantage of older and younger generations spending time gardening together, followed by teaching and learning from each other and passing on knowledge.
The RHS survey found that only 15 per cent of the population gardened as part of their school education, although this is increasing in younger generations.
While only 11 per cent of over 35 year olds were taught gardening in schools, in recent times this has increased, with about a third (34 per cent) of 18-24 year olds experiencing gardening as part of their studies.
RHS director Clare Matterson said: ‘Many people would like to spend more time with older or younger generations in the garden, for emotional and physical benefits as well as enjoyment.’
She added: ‘The opportunity to garden is not just a nice to have, it’s fundamental to every life, and every society.’
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