The Good Life
Two in five (41%) gardeners have attempted to grow fruit and vegetables in the last two years, according to new research by MORI Social Research Institute. Most popular are tomatoes (22%), apples (16%) and runner beans (15%).
In total four in five (82%) people in Great Britain have a garden, and of these two-thirds say they are interested in gardening. The benefits of growing fruit and vegetables are seen to be they are fresher (42%), cheaper (36%) and have a better flavour (33%). For gardeners who do not grow fruit and vegetables the main reason is their garden is not big enough (29%), while others simply don't want to (23%) or do not have the time (20%).
Technical Details
MORI interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 2,049 adults (aged 15 and over) throughout Great Britain in 201 different sampling points. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in respondents' homes, between 29 April – 4 May 2004. Data are weighted to the profile of the GB population.
Topline Results
- 2,049 respondents aged 15+ across Great Britain
- Interviews carried out face-to-face
- Fieldwork conducted between 29 April and 4 May 2004
- Results based on all (2,049), unless otherwise stated
- Results are weighted to the known population profile
- An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
- Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding
Q1 Which, if any, of the following statements describe you?
| % | |
|---|---|
| I have a garden and am interested in gardening | 54 |
| I do not have a garden but am interested in gardening | 6 |
| I have a garden but am not interested in gardening | 28 |
| I do not have a garden and am not interested in gardening | 9 |
| I have garden and an allotment | 1 |
| I don't have a garden but do have an allotment | * |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q2 Looking at this list what types of fruit or vegetables have you attempted to grow in the last 2 years? Have you grown any other fruit or vegetables in the last 2 years? IF YES: Which? Base: All with garden/allotment (1,675)
| % | |
|---|---|
| FRUIT | |
| Apples | 16 |
| Pears | 6 |
| Strawberries | 13 |
| Raspberries | 8 |
| Blackcurrants | 6 |
| Redcurrants | 4 |
| Blackberries | 4 |
| Plums | 6 |
| Gooseberries | 6 |
| Rhubarb | 2 |
| Other | 3 |
| VEGETABLES | |
| Potatoes | 13 |
| Carrots | 9 |
| Runner beans | 15 |
| Tomatoes | 22 |
| Peas | 7 |
| Parsnips | 3 |
| Lettuce | 12 |
| Cabbage | 5 |
| Sprouts | 4 |
| Other | 1 |
| None of these | 59 |
| Don't know | * |
Q3 If you could only grow one fruit and one vegetable which would you choose? Base: All those who grow fruit and vegetables (688)
| % | |
|---|---|
| FRUIT | |
| Apples | 36 |
| Strawberries | 22 |
| Raspberries | 11 |
| Plums | 6 |
| Pears | 4 |
| Blackcurrants | 2 |
| Blackberries | 2 |
| Rhubarb | 2 |
| Gooseberries | 1 |
| Oranges | 1 |
| Cherries | 1 |
| Other fruit | 2 |
| VEGETABLES | |
| Potatoes | 29 |
| Tomatoes | 24 |
| Runner beans | 20 |
| Carrots | 7 |
| Cabbage | 2 |
| Lettuce | 2 |
| Peas | 2 |
| Sprouts | 2 |
| Onions | 2 |
| Parsnips | 1 |
| Broccoli | 1 |
| Broad beans | 1 |
| Beans (unspecified) | 1 |
| Asparagus | 1 |
| Spinach | 1 |
| Leeks | 1 |
| Other vegetables | 1 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q4. Why do you not grow fruit or vegetables in your garden? Base: All who do not grow fruit and vegetables (941)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Garden not big enough | 29 |
| Do not have enough time | 20 |
| Too physically demanding | 10 |
| More convenient to buy fruit and vegetables | 7 |
| Don't know anything about growing fruit and veg/don't know how to | 6 |
| Too expensive | 2 |
| Don't want to/not interested | 23 |
| Don't like eating fruit/veg | * |
| Don't think they look attractive in a garden | 1 |
| Pets use the garden | 2 |
| Unsuitable garden/garden layout | 2 |
| Poor/unsuitable soil | 1 |
| Children use garden | 1 |
| Prefer flowers/plants | 1 |
| Recently moved/move frequently | 1 |
| Don't own the garden/property | 1 |
| Plan to in the future | 1 |
| Slugs/insects | 1 |
| Friends/family/neighbours grow fruit and vegetables | 1 |
| Other | 4 |
| None of these | 3 |
| Don't know | 2 |
Q5 What are the benefits, if any, of growing fruit and vegetables yourself rather than buying them?
| % | |
|---|---|
| Better flavour/taste | 33 |
| Fresher | 42 |
| Can control levels of chemicals/pesticides | 22 |
| Growing them is enjoyable/hobby/satisfaction | 17 |
| Lack of range in shops | 1 |
| Encourages healthy eating | 8 |
| Promoting locally grown produce/reduced transport costs | 1 |
| Cheaper | 36 |
| Organic | 13 |
| Convenient/readily available/available as needed | 3 |
| You know what you are eating | 1 |
| Exercise | 1 |
| Other | 6 |
| There are no benefits | 6 |
| Don't know | 6 |
