Alan Titchmarsh calls for support for '˜invaluable' horticulture industry

Alan Titchmarsh has called for urgent action to stop the 'demise' of the UK's gardens, as a report suggests that the horticulture sector is worth billions to the economy.

Britons’ love of gardening, from growing their own plants, trees and vegetables in their backyard to visiting public parks and gardens, is important for the economy, provides thousands of jobs and helps health, the report said.

But the size and provision of private gardens are in decline, councils are seeing park budgets slashed and the Government does not value the sector, the industry claims.

Ornamental horticulture is directly worth £12.6 billion - more than the aerospace industry - including sales of plants and equipment, spending on gardeners and landscape designers, and tourist revenue from public gardens.

The sector generates 370,300 jobs from landscaping and retail to manufacturing and tree care experts, the report by Oxford Economics for the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group said.

When indirect impacts including the supply chain and spending of wages earned in the sector are taken into account, the report estimates the total economic footprint is £24.2 billion and provides 568,700 jobs, the study said.

Households spent around £7.5 billion on garden goods last year, from cut flowers and bulbs, plants and seeds to power tools, sheds and greenhouses.

Half of UK adults undertake gardening activities every week.