A huge 47% of gardeners would like to spend less time weeding their gardens whilst 28% of people want to spend less time weeding their driveways. This is according to primary research conducted by Yolo Communications on behalf of the Common Sense Gardening Group.
Common Sense Gardening aims to provide gardeners with tips on using, storing and disposing of gardening products safely.
Getting rid of weeds the traditional way can be a time-consuming and arduous job, and using garden care products is one way consumers have identified as having a robust impact on problem areas. In fact, 22% believe garden care products are fundamental to the proper maintenance of their gardens.
In fact, nearly half of the people asked (43%) use garden care products to control their weed issues. Garden care products are very safe to use, when used as directed on the label.
Something that 39% of people agreed with.
With common weeds such as prickly thistles and poisonous hemlock inundating gardens around the UK as temperatures soar, people don’t want to waste their precious time weeding their outdoor space.
Gary Philpotts, Chair of the Common Sense Gardening Group, said: “Spring is now thoroughly upon as and as temperatures rise, people are clearing up their gardens.
“This research endorses our mission to better educate people on the important role garden care products play in creating and maintaining a garden. As ever, a majority of the population will not have time to tend to their garden and will be turning to garden care products to assist them in eliminating weeds quickly from their outdoor areas.”
The group is part of the Crop Protection Association - the key voice of the UK plant science industry.
The Common Sense Gardening Group’s research comes as no surprise to many industry experts and complements anecdotal research already carried out by the European Crop Protection Association.
Indeed, the association found that there are various economic and efficacy benefits linked to the use of weed-controlling products. In particular, garden care products are an inexpensive way to get rid of invasive species, as well as being relatively easy to apply and very time efficient.
In terms of safety, all of the products approved to use in the home and garden must undergo stringent safety assessments before they are registered as safe to use. There are also physical controls that are incorporated into product design and packaging that can reduce the risk of contact from the user with the product and prevent misuse.
www.garden-care.org.uk