The RHS wants to know how you feel about front gardens – and you could help contribute to research into the therapeutic effects of a little greenery outside the front door.
The nation’s front gardens are disappearing at an alarming rate: more than 4.5 million contain no plants, and a quarter are now totally paved over. But there’s been little research into the impact that is having. Now RHS-sponsored PhD student Lauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui of the University of Sheffield wants as many people as possible to fill in her survey – whether they have a front garden or not.
She is also planning to ‘green’ front gardens which are currently paved over and monitor how this changes the health and well-being of residents and the wider community.
To take the survey, visit www.rhs.org.uk/science/gardening-in- a-changing- world/greening-grey-britain/front-garden-research.
Of course you’ll find lots of inspiration right here at the garden centre in Thirsk if you’re thinking of improving your front garden! Now is the perfect time to plan what you’d like to do, whether it’s lifting an ugly piece of concrete to create a new border full of flowering perennials or planting pretty climbers to scramble over a carport or bike shed. Pop in and ask for advice today – we’ll be happy to help!