HTA’s PlantforLife campaign highlights the next phase of Grow Your Own...
HTA’s
PlantforLife campaign highlights the next phase of Grow Your Own as research reveals
over two thirds of UK gardeners admit they don’t grow their own fruit.
New research from PlantforLife reveals the trend for ‘grow your own’ has more than
doubled, with over half (54%) admitting they now choose to grow their own, compared
to just one fifth (22%) two years ago. Yet, despite this growing phenomenon, the
research shows less than two fifths of UK gardeners (36%) grow fruit trees and shrubs,
preferring vegetables and salad crops instead.
This is why PlantforLife and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have teamed
up with celebrity plantsman, Chris Collins to champion the next phase of ‘grow your
own’ gardening by educating people with simple tips on how easy it is to plant and
grow fruit trees and berries.
Forgetting the fruit
Whilst the research highlights a lack of fruit growing in the UK, when asked, almost
two thirds (62%) agree they would like to grow their own fruit trees and berries.
From the list, strawberries were deemed the fruit of choice (24%), followed by apples
and raspberries.
But, when asked why people didn’t plant fruit trees and berries in their gardens,
the research reveals that:
- 39% don’t think they have enough space to plant
- Almost a third (29%) confess they haven’t considered fruit trees and berries when
growing their own
- And, almost a quarter (23%) admit they just don’t know what varieties they can grow
in their garden.
Commenting on the findings, the HTA’s David Gilchrist says:
“Despite the surge in grow your own gardening, many people still overlook the possibilities
of home grown fruits and berries. But, there is an increasing number of tasty, unusual
fruit such as gooseberries and loganberries that will happily grow in the UK climate.
Growing your own fruit can be very rewarding – not only does it taste better, but
is friendly to the environment and more importantly, you know where it’s come from”.
The time to plant
Not only does the research highlight a lack of planting, but it also shows that
people aren’t sure whether or not certain fruits can be grown in a UK garden, with
just 31% knowing they could grow currants, 27% peaches and just 22% apricots. Over
two fifths (41%) also mistakenly believe that fruit trees and berries should be
planted in spring, whilst in actual fact autumn is the key time to do so.
Celebrity plantsman, Chris Collins comments, “Small fruits and berries are nutritious,
easy to grow at home and relatively low-maintenance, but planting them is a long-term
commitment and it can take several seasons before fruit is seen. As the greatest
abundance of fruit tends to appear in late summer and early autumn, it’s important
to plant them during the autumn and early winter”
Visit
www.plantforlife.info/fruit
to download Chris’ top tips on how to grow and maintain your favourite varieties
of fruit trees and berries.
Retail members can help educate their customers with the HTA/RHS Easy Guide to Growing
Fruit, which is just one of a series of informative leaflets designed to provide
practical information on a range of popular gardening topics for customers. To place
orders for guides or dispensers contact HTA membership services on 0118 930 3132
or download an order form from the HTA website: www.the-hta.org.uk