AS summer gets underway gardens suddenly become the centre of attention with a recent survey highlighting the importance of our outdoor space in the warmer months.
The study, by housebuilder David Wilson Homes, reveals that homeowners regard a garden as one of the most important factors in making a house a home.
It also revealed that the main use of a garden is as a children’s playground with more than a quarter of those questioned saying this is the primary use of their own garden.
However the survey also reflected the growing trend of vegetable gardening with 23 per cent of people using their gardens to grow their own produce, 16 per cent prefer to plant flowers while 13 per cent take it a little easier and entertain al fresco.
Despite predictions of a hot summer less than 10 per cent use their garden primarily for sunbathing.
“Our research shows just how important the garden is to today’s families, said David Wilson Homes sales director Louise Ware.
“At David Wilson we put a large emphasis on the outside space, we work closely with landscape gardeners to provide the best environment possible; our showhomes and public spaces all feature bee-friendly plants and we also encourage our homeowners to adopt the same approach with free seeds and planting advice.”
Louise said the research underlines the developer’s approach to providing a well thought out design, accommodating outside areas where families can entertain, relax and carry out their hobbies.
David Wilson Homes, which has a number of developments in Gloucestershire, carried out the research to mark its second year of supporting the British Beekeepers Association with a pledge to ensure all of its developments are planted with bee-friendly gardens and borders.
Top five uses of gardens
1 Children’s playground
2 Growing your own produce
3 Floral display
4 Entertaining
5 Sunbathing