THOSE of us fortunate enough to have a green space of our own to enjoy the sunshine in are splurging on making them havens to retreat to during lockdown, with sales of some items up by staggering amounts as experts praise the health benefits of gardening.

A booming retail sector?

UK retailers have shut 382 million sq ft of floor space since the coronavirus lockdown began, with a £14.5bn drop in sales as a result, according to analytics firm GlobalData.

Bucking the trend, though, spending on gardens has surged online, with sales of gardening tools and supplies rocketing during the pandemic.

What’s selling?

Web sales of garden equipment have tripled and in some cases, quadrupled, figures show, with sales of barbecues up by 275 per cent on this time last year as garden owners seek out items ranging from bistro sets to outdoor rugs to create their own outside retreats.

Hammocks?

They are products often seen around the world as symbols of summer, relaxation and easy living, and now sales are up by 1,292 per cent on this time last year.

And…?

Footballs are up by 1,870 per cent as parents try to keep the children entertained, with lawnmowers up 117 per cent and flip flops up 174 per cent, painting a picture that suggests the British public is preparing for lockdown to roll on and a summer spent in their back gardens.

Victory gardens?

Vegetable and fruit seeds are out of stock in many online stores, as well as herb-growing sets, with a trend developing of growing “pandemic gardens”, as people try to grow their own food and pass the lockdown time in the style of the Victory Gardens of WW2, where governments encouraged the planting of gardens to supplement rations and boost morale.

So it’s not just about making gardens look good?

A study in the journal, ScienceDirect, in 2017 found that "participating in gardening activities has a significant positive impact on a wide range of health outcomes, such as reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, stress, mood disturbance and BMI", adding that it "increases quality of life, sense of community, physical activity levels and cognitive function”.

They have a “role to play” in the pandemic?

Highlighting these potential physical and mental health benefits, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) say: “These difficult times of staying at home open new opportunities. Many people will have so much more time for their gardens and will begin to appreciate the joy of gardening for the first time. Gardens are going to play an important role in keeping society happy and healthy, and the garden industry stands ready to support success in this area wherever we can.”

Offering hope?

Alex Timlin, of Emarsys, which is jointly running the Covid-19 Commerce Insight project, looking at customer behaviour during the pandemic, said: "Our data is showing staggering growth online in the gardening equipment sector, showing that Covid-19 hasn't completely destroyed consumer confidence, which is heartening for retailers in this time of uncertainty.”

MAUREEN SUGDEN