Sabtu, 05 Mei 2012

Proof that grass is always greener on the other side as 40% look on our neighbour's lawn with envy

Proof that grass is always greener on the other side as 40% look on our neighbour's lawn with envy

  • Eight per cent get so jealous of a nearby garden they would contemplate sabotaging it
  • One in ten say a scruffy garden lowers the tone of a neighbourhood

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 09:41 EST, 4 May 2012 | UPDATED: 11:07 EST, 5 May 2012

If you spend your weekends gazing enviously over the garden wall at the immaculate lawn next door while casting contemptuous glances at your own weed-strewn patch, cheer up â€" you’re not alone.

Almost half of us are jealous of our neighbours’ gardens, a poll has found, while a quarter feel there is competition on their street to have the best-kept plot.

The poll discovered 42 per cent of adults peer longingly over the fence at the immaculate lawns, blooming hangings baskets and expensive garden furniture next door.

Envy: Nealy half of people are jealous of their neighbour's well-manicured lawn

Envy: Nealy half of people are jealous of their neighbour's well-manicured lawn

More than a third of those questioned by Roundup Gel weed killer said they wished their garden looked as impressive as their neighbours’.

The biggest factor for jealousy was that other people on the street had bigger gardens, followed by a well-manicured lawn.

Gary Philpotts spokesman for Roundup Gel, said: ‘This research clearly shows that there is some competition going on in UK neighbourhoods.

Nearly a third said they regularly approach their neighbours to ask them for tips and advice on how to tend to their lawn and shrubs

Help: Nearly a third said they regularly approach their neighbours to ask them for tips and advice on how to tend to their lawn and shrubs

‘Gardens are different to other aspects of our homes in the sense that many people can have a sneaky look from their back window or over the fence.

‘It’s healthy to have a bit of jealousy every now and then as it keeps everyone on their toes.

‘Obviously nothing can be done about the size or location of a garden but virtually anyone can have a perfect lawn or blooming flowers.’

TOP 10 GARDEN ENVY LIST

1. Bigger garden

2. Well-manicured

3. Nicer garden furniture

4. Tidy borders

5. Blooming plants

6. Impressive hanging baskets

7. A clean patio

8. Decking

9. Conservatory

10. Smaller but more manageable garden

The study also revealed that a bitter 16 per cent of adults said they wouldn’t give their neighbours the satisfaction of complimenting them on their garden.

Nearly a third said they regularly approach their neighbours to ask them for tips and advice on how to tend to their lawn and shrubs, although 35 per cent said they would never do this as it would go to their head.

The best place to turn to for advise was good old mum or dad, but 18 per cent prefer to pay for professional help from a gardener to ensure the perfect garden.

The biggest grumble homeowners had about their own garden was that the lawn was too patchy, followed by too many weeds.

One in ten grumbled that it was too small and that it was all concrete with no sprawling lawn.

Jealous: A bitter 16 per cent of adults said they would not compliment a neighbour on their garden

Jealous: A bitter 16 per cent of adults said they would not compliment a neighbour on their garden

Other moans included dirty patios, overgrown plants and lack of bright colours.

Not only do Brits have a touch of the green-eyed monsters but 43 per cent also get annoyed if next door have a messy garden.

One in ten said an un-kept garden reflects badly on the area and a third said it’s not nice to look at.

The study also found that one in ten have got irritated with someone who lived close by because they copied what they have done.

Anger: Of those surveyed, 43 per cent get annoyed if next door have a messy garden and one in ten said an un-kept garden reflects badly on the area

Anger: Of those surveyed, 43 per cent get annoyed if next door have a messy garden and one in ten said an un-kept garden reflects badly on the area

Gary Philpotts continued: ‘It would seem people can’t win - neighbours get envious if your garden is too nice but then they also moan if it’s too scruffy.

‘Keeping a garden and lawn well-kept undoubtedly improves the overall appearance of both a house and an area overall.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

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What's a 'lawn'?. Oh yes, that green spiky stuff that used to grow well in the UK before normal rainfall gave way to alternate droughts and deluges - the stuff we used to cover our gardens in before they got covered in decking, conservatories, and ancillary car parking.

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No wonder the Welsh grass is so green, and they're always singing about it! The amount of rain recently is phenominal. Many locals are growing up with webbed hands and feet! Lys-y-Fran reservoir is overflowing, yet parts of Birmingham, where it's pumped to, has a hose-pipe ban. Amazing!!

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4/10 - and you think that's proof???

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expensive garden furniture - what a waste of cash: exactly how many (or should I say 'how few') days each year is it used?

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Pretty sure that's proof that the grass is greener roughly four out of ten times.

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And there's ME thnking we had a Hose Pipe BAN.--This shows that we do NOT and the water Compaines are lying to us that there is a Water shortage

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'...we had it concreted over and we now have a lovely place for pot plants...' law-abiding citizen, UK not EU, 5/5/2012 8:20 Sounds a lovely place to relax.....on your concrete garden, with pots (plastic??) surrounding a wheelie bin.??? However, I think I'd prefer to sit and relax in my own garden, inspite of all the work involved. Very satisfying, and we enjoy the produce from the veg plot too! Worth all the effort! (ps. Have a read about concrete areas causing the water shortages!! It may make you change your mind!!) :-)

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My daughter has neighbours who copy everything she has in her garden. It was funny at first but now it's sad. The best thing to do is to put something in your garden you are not going to keep, ie a cheap arch - the day after they copied so she took hers down. Two weeks after she had new windows they copied, round solar lights set in gravel, hanging baskets they copied. It is now what she wears. The list goes on and on.

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How is 4/10 'always'. Seems to me that this article suggests that the grass isn't greener? 6/10 don't envy next door? Basic maths?

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''Eight per cent get so jealous of a nearby garden would contemplate sabotaging it '' - what? Who does that to their neighbors? It's really sad if someone else's lawn drives you into that state of mind. Jealousy is pointless.

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