Pros and Cons of Buying a House with a Garden

One of the must-have features of a new home that the majority of people are searching for is a garden.

However, much like wanting a puppy, the reality of living with one can be very different from what you imagined.  

So in this week’s blog, I would like to share my thoughts on the reality of having had both a balcony garden and now a large garden in the country which I hope gives you some food for thought.

Is Having a Garden Worth it?

First off, I must say that I do not like some aspects of gardening. I like the hard physical work of digging, but the daily attention the garden needs is tedious, and rarely can I find time to attend to all its’ needs.

Additionally, I think growing your own veg is uneconomical.

By the time you have bought seeds, and plants, and paid for water, tools, and the million and one other things you need, it must be cheaper to buy the veg locally.

I have never done the calculations, so I may be wrong, but it feels that way.

I have 2 acres of garden in which we grow all our vegetables for the winter, as well as fruit and salad for all summer. It is extraordinarily time-consuming and very hard work just to keep on top of weeding, growing, harvesting, and preserving.

It is a never-ending round of things to be done.

Previously I had a balcony in an inner-city flat. I still grew a few vegetables and had many flowers dotted around it. There was also a space for a table and a couple of chairs.

It took very little time to maintain and was a wonderfully cosy and pleasant place to spend an evening.

There were numerous parks and green spaces within a 5-minute walk too, therefore there was no real need for a garden.

And in terms of time spent actually relaxing and entertaining outside, I think the balcony offered more quality time and had more use than the garden does now.

The balcony was just more convenient to use and was easier to maintain.

Every time I walk into the garden now I see a 1001 jobs that need doing which never happened when it was just a balcony to look after.

That said, the joy of an evening sitting in the garden looking out over the veg as it starts to grow, listening to the wildlife and watching the sunset over the forest, getting out at the crack of dawn to attend to some gardening, the taste of wonderfully fresh food straight from the plant, and being at one with nature pales all the negatives into insignificance.

An hour of peace and tranquility in the garden can eradicate the pain and stress of an entire day’s hard labour.

Gardening is a satisfying and almost soul-cleansing pastime.

On the one hand, it is true that a garden can add to your quality of life considerably. It is a source of pleasure, a safe place for pets and kids to freely play, it is a sanctuary of peace and quiet, a place to spend quality time with friends and family, and a source of delicious and nutritious food.

But for those who have never had a garden to maintain before it can also come as a shock as to how much time, effort, and money it absorbs.

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Read on to discover all the pros and cons of having a garden in more depth.

Do I Really Need a Garden?

Having a garden is a dream for many people, it can open up a whole new world to you, a place for fun and relaxation, a new hobby, or a source of delicious food.

However, it is often a choice of having a garden and not so nice home, or a nicer home in a better area with no garden.

Having a garden affects the price of property considerably, especially in a city.

There are also lifestyle choices to take into consideration which is why some people will opt for a balcony, whilst others will want a courtyard, and others will want a vegetable plot.

Knowing how you will use your outdoor space to increase the quality of your leisure time rather than it becoming just another chore is vitally important.

So, the question is, do you really need a garden? Here are some things to consider

#1 Why do I want a garden?

What is your primary need for having a garden? Somewhere for the kids to safely play? An area for entertaining? A sanctuary for you to escape to? To grow your own fruit and veg?

Gardens are great if you have young kids, but as they get older they will probably prefer to be out on the streets on their bikes or playing sports. Teenagers will probably rarely venture out there as they will be out with their mates.

If you want an area for entertaining would a conservatory or a dining room be more useful and get more use when you consider how many days a year you could use the garden due to the weather?

Would a garden be primarily for growing your own fruit and veg? Whilst it is true there is nothing like picking veg out of the garden and 10 minutes later it is being cooked, there are costs and downsides which we will explore later.

#2 What type of garden do I want?

Do you want a maintenance-free paved garden? A lawn for the kids to play on? A vegetable plot? An area for entertaining?

#3 Do you have the time and money for a garden?

Depending on the style and size of your garden, it can take an extraordinary amount of time and money to maintain it.

A garden with a lawn is particularly time-consuming but is perfect for the kids to play on.

If you dream of growing vegetables then it is a very rewarding hobby, but again it takes time, money, and effort.

#4 Are there parks or play areas nearby?

 If you have young kids then a garden is super convenient, you just open the back doors and they have a safe place to play whilst you can get on with chores or work or whatever.

But if there is a park or play area nearby then that could be a good alternative, although you may have to go with them, so it will be less convenient for you.

#5 Is more house space more useful?

Taking into consideration the age of your kids, or what your intended use is for the garden, would it be better value for money to have a bigger home?

Everyone has a budget and your budget may stretch to a larger home with no garden or a smaller home with a garden.

An extra family room or having a room that could be used for entertaining, as a kids’ playroom, as an office, or as a home cinema room may get far more use and give you better value for money.

#6 What’s the alternative to having a garden?

As previously mentioned parks and play areas are great if you have young kids.

If you want to grow veg is there a possibility of a communal garden or an allotment?

If you want an area to entertain, realistically, how often would you use it, especially if you are near some great restaurants or music venues for example?

#7 What size garden do I need?

Although you probably won’t choose a garden over a house, you need to consider what you want the garden for.

Once that is decided you will have a better idea of the size of the garden you can manage and make the best use of.

A patio area and lawn may be ideal in many cases if you have kids.

A paved area with pot plants is a low-maintenance option for those with little time but who want an outside space.

For those who want to grow their own vegetables as well, then a larger garden is going to be needed, although it is perfectly feasible to grow a selection of veg in a small garden.

Depending upon where you are moving to, the type of home will likely dictate the type of garden you may have.

Older detached homes and bungalows tend to have larger gardens, terraced homes usually have a paved back yard, new builds will have smaller gardens than 1930 or 1940 homes, village homes will have gardens whereas many city homes won’t.

Should I buy a house with a garden? If you have considered the questions above then you will be in a much better position to answer that question.

There is, however, another aspect of having a garden to consider.

Having a garden is not just about practicalities, there is an almost spiritual element to having a garden or outdoor space which can have significant health benefits which we will explore next.

You may also like to read: What Type of Property is Right for Me: House, Bungalow, or Flat? The type of home you move to often dictates the size of the garden you will have. In this guide, we look at the different styles of homes and their pros and cons.

Health Benefits of Having a Garden

Virtually nothing in this world is without its positives and negatives, but most people would agree that having an outdoor space is good for you both mentally and physically.

Of course, there will be exceptions, which we will look at later, but for the majority of people being outside, in your own space, has a positive impact on you.

Gardening is an almost primitive activity, few other recreational activities can connect you with the environment around you in such a way.

You do not even need to be gardening, just being outside is a very sensory experience. The wind and sun on your face, the smells, and the sounds, all combine to relax you.

In terms of well-being, being in your own outdoor space has many benefits.

What are the Physical and Mental Benefits of Gardening?

Gardening, or just being outside in our own space, can have many benefits.

#1 Patience – We expect everything instantly these days but gardening teaches you patience, you have no choice but to wait for nature to take its course, whilst seeds evolve into plants, buds into flowers, and plants into food.

#2 Nature Rules – You can throw as much technology as you want at the plants but if nature decides that the crop will fail, then it will fail. Gardening can be a humbling pastime.

#3 Time Away from a Screen – A significant benefit to having an outdoor space is that you are having time away from your screen, be that your phone or the TV. Many people spend hours a day sat glued to a screen of one sort or another.

But having a garden gives your eyes, body, and mind a rest from the onslaught of pixels. It allows you to experience new sensations, create memories, and interact and develop bonds with other people.

#4 Relationship Building – An outdoor space offers a different kind of environment for you to do new activities with the kids, or a space where you and your partner can work together on nurturing plants or relaxing together.

#5 Solitude – Conversely, being in the garden can be a wonderfully solitary experience, somewhere to escape the stresses and manic onslaught of everyday life. It is somewhere to escape with a book or just to sit and daydream, a place to make plans, or forget the artificial world around you and reconnect to nature.

#6 Fitness – Gardening is a great way to get some exercise. Even if it is just hanging the washing out, or pulling out a few weeds, you are using muscles that you would not use otherwise.

#7 Mental Health Benefits – Not only is gardening relaxing but the sense of satisfaction, of achievement, and the boost in confidence it gives you will be good for your mental health.

Gardening is increasingly being prescribed as a way to combat stress and anxiety as well as depression.

There have been many studies into the benefits of gardening and there are now charities that promote gardening as a way to improve health such as www.thrive.org.uk

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How Important is a Garden for Kids?

Kids love being outside, playing, getting dirty, running around letting off some steam, and having a garden is a great way for kids to have fun.

More than that though, a garden helps them develop, learn new skills, discover the insects and bugs, and develop an interest in nature.

But you don’t need a garden to get kids interested in growing plants.

It is just as easy to teach kids about gardening by planting window boxes, creating a wormery, or growing herbs on the kitchen window sill.

So whether you have a balcony, window boxes, or a garden, kids benefit from gardening or having an outdoor space in so many ways.

#1 Promotes an active lifestyle

Come rain or shine, kids love being outside. And when you have your own outside space it is so much more convenient for them to just throw open the back door and get out there.

That easy access means that they are far more likely to get out and have fun, explore, and do things.

And at the end of an exhausting day, the kids will sleep far better too.

#2 Helps create bonds

Having an outside area can help you and your kids form a better relationship.

By getting them involved and helping with small tasks around the garden you will learn to work as a team, will share knowledge, and create new memories.

#3 Sensory development

An outdoor living space can provide a variety of sensory delights for your kids.

The fresh air, flowers, freshly mown grass, and even the soil offer your children an array of visual and aromatic sensations.

#4 Learning opportunities

Not only can your kids learn about plants but also about the bugs, insects, and wildlife that visit your garden.

They will learn where different foods come from, how to look after seedlings and plants, and even how to do things like painting sheds and fences.

#5 Teaches Patience

Kids are growing up in a fast-paced world where they have access to most things instantly.

But growing plants will teach them that things take time to develop. It will teach them that they must be patient.

#6 Promotes Responsibility

You could give your child their own space in the garden or some pots of plants.

They will learn to look after and grow the plants which in turn teaches them to take responsibility.

#7 Encourages Trying New Foods

If they have taken the time to look after and nurture vegetables or fruit then are far more likely to want to eat them.

By growing a variety of berries, for example, the bright colours will not only be attractive to them but picking and eating straight from the bush is far more interesting than opening a packet.

And kids love BBQs, so you could BBQ some of their produce which they would find interesting.

Courgettes and aubergines are vegetables that they may not normally like or even try, but when cooked on the BBQ they take on a whole new flavour.

Gardening allows you to introduce new vegetables into their diet and to get them to try new things.

Start small, grow vegetables and salads like lettuce, potatoes, or peppers which are pretty easy to grow and will boost your kids’ confidence in gardening as well as give them good results.

Even if you have a garden, there are so many months of the year that we cannot get outside because of the weather that having a few pots of herbs, some potted bulbs in the home, or growing seeds on the windowsill, is a great way to keep their interest all year.

And you really don’t need a garden to teach the kids about nature or plants.

There are so many open green spaces, even in the biggest cities, that there are lots of opportunities to get your kids out of the house and into the fresh air.

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What are The Social Benefits of Gardening?

Whilst gardening can be a very solitary hobby, which has many benefits in itself, gardening is also a very social activity.

Walk past any garden and comment on how lovely a plant is and you will be engaged in a long conversation.

Gardeners love to share their knowledge and experiences, and if you are lucky they will share cuttings or seeds with you.

There are thousands of blogs and forums for gardeners where people share their love of gardening and they are always willing to share their knowledge with you.

If you have just moved into a new home in an unfamiliar area it is a great way to make new friends and meet people.

Gardening is also a great way to help the local community, so even if you don’t have your own garden, there may be an elderly person nearby who does and is no longer able to tend it themselves.

There may also be the opportunity to help tend a garden at a local hospice or care home.

If you look around there are ample opportunities to get involved in gardening, create new social circles, and help the local community.

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The Benefits of Growing Your Own Vegetables

One of the biggest benefits of gardening, or having an outdoor space, is the opportunity to grow your own vegetables.

Aside from the physical and mental benefits of gardening, here are 6 benefits of growing your own produce:

#1 There is nothing like harvesting food that you have personally grown. You know exactly what fertilisers and pesticides you have or have not used, so you can guarantee whether they are organically grown or not. And without a doubt, they taste so much better.

#2 You will naturally eat more vegetables, create new recipes using fruit and veg, and try new foods if you have a ready supply of the ingredients. Additionally, fresh vegetables have more nutrients and are far better for you than shop-bought ones.

#3 It is better for the environment to grow your own produce. You are not contributing to wasteful packaging or the thousands of miles that produce travels before it reaches the store.

 #4 If you grow an abundance of produce you can preserve them for the winter months when the item is out of season. This way nothing goes to waste and any preserved produce will be so much better than shop-bought tins or jars, and far cheaper than out-of-season fresh fruit and vegetables.

#5 If you have a ready food supply in your garden, you will not go hungry. If there is a month when you are short of money then nutritious, fresh food will be one less expense to worry about. In the summer months, you can almost become self-sufficient with fresh produce, whilst in the winter you could have a supply of preserved food to offset the increased cost of heating your home.

#6 The sense of satisfaction and well-being that growing your own fruit and vegetables gives is immense. It will help you grow confidence, help stave off depression and anxiety, and generally make you feel so much better.

You don’t need acres of ground to grow your own vegetables, growing vegetables in containers can be extremely satisfying and rewarding. From small acorns grow oak trees as they say, and by starting small you may just get bitten by the gardening bug and find a lifelong passion.

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Does Gardening Actually Save You Money?

Is it cheaper to grow your own veg?

At a glance, it would appear to be a no-brainer. A packet of seeds will cost maybe a few pounds and could yield kilos of produce for the same price as 1 kilo in the shops.

But it is more complicated than that.

You will need to buy seeds or plants, pots, compost, stakes, and tools, the cost of which will soon add up.

And the cost of watering every day should not be underestimated too, especially if you are on a meter.

Then there is the amount of time that you will need to devote to your garden.

If you are self-employed or get paid for overtime at work, then the hours and hours you will spend sowing seeds, looking after the plants, weeding, and watering may not be cost-effective.

The key to saving money when gardening is to grow produce that you know you will eat, in quantities that you will use, and that are fairly guaranteed to yield a good crop.

If you cook with a lot of fresh herbs then growing your own could save you a fortune, so think carefully about what you eat, how much produce you will use, and how time-consuming is that vegetable to not only grow but nurture and harvest.

And bear in mind that gardening can be a lottery.

A spate of adverse weather or an infestation of bugs can soon wipe out months and months of hard work.

Is gardening cheaper than buying?

If you have never had a garden before and need to start from scratch, then your first year is unlikely to be cost-effective.

However, after the initial outlay, the subsequent years should be cheaper.

If you grow fruit trees or bushes, or herbs, then these are usually cost-effective as you only pay for the plant once then they produce a crop every year. But in the case of fruit trees, you may need to wait a few years before their first crop.

The key to whether it is cheaper to buy produce than grow your own is the quantity you will harvest.

If you harvest very little then the cost of growing your plants will be more than the money you would spend on buying fruit and veg.

When trying to determine if they have saved money growing their own produce, the mistake people make is to say that they harvested 100 kilos of tomatoes that would have cost them £400 in the shops. So they saved £400.

But would you have bought 100 kilos? If not, then you have not saved £400.

The only time gardening will be cheaper is if you actually eat what you produce.

So if you use large amounts of potatoes and tomatoes, which are versatile and can be used in many different ways, are easy to grow, and yield a good crop, then just grow those.

There is no point in growing things for the sake of it and those uneaten or failed crops will affect your bottom line.

If you intend to preserve your produce then the cost of jars can soon add up, but again, this is a one-time outlay.

A large harvest of some vegetables could be frozen, but if you need to buy a bigger freezer, then it could take a few years to break even.

 A dehydrating machine is also another way to preserve your excess crops and this is another expense that you need to factor in for your first year.

So in summary, you will save money usually after the first year, only if you grow things you would actually normally buy, in the quantities you can actually use, and if the crops do not fail.

Is gardening an expensive hobby?

Like any hobby, gardening can become addictive and the cost of your new hobby can soon spiral out of control.

If you have just moved to a home with your first garden then the first year of getting yourself set up can be extremely expensive.

Mechanised garden tools such as mowers, patio jet washers, or hedge trimmers can run into many hundreds of pounds, you may need hand tools, composts, pots, seed trays, a watering system, plant supports, fertilizers, and pest deterrents.

But gardening does not have to be expensive if you keep it small and simple.

A window box of herbs will definitely save you money, and a few containers of potatoes and tomatoes are inexpensive to grow.

Reach out on forums and social media as well as local gardening groups. There may be the opportunity to get some cuttings, tools, pots, and containers for free.

How much it costs to set up your garden has so many variables it is impossible to say:

How big it is, what you intend to grow, what you have to start with, what condition the soil is in, whether you need a shed to store your gardening equipment, will you want an area to sit out in, a swing or sandpit for the kids, does the vegetable patch need fencing off to protect it from the dog, the list goes on and on, and so there is no easy way to calculate what setting up a new garden will cost you.

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Balcony Gardening

Balcony gardens offer you the opportunity to have an outside space but are less time-consuming and expensive to maintain.

Whilst you will not have space for the kids to run around in, nor would it be safe to have a BBQ, there are always local parks that will satisfy those needs.

And it is possible to grow both flowers and vegetables on a balcony. And because the plants will be in containers and pots it is easy for kids to get involved and even have their own pots to look after.

How do you plant on a balcony?

Your balcony should get at least 5-6 hours of sunlight a day to successfully grow most vegetables although some plants will prefer shade, and you will need some large containers with good drainage.

The larger your pots are, the more the roots of the plant will spread, and the bigger harvest you will get. A bonus is that you will not need to water so often either as large pots take longer to dry out.

Using grow bags can be a cost-effective way to grow veg on a balcony as you don’t need to buy pots and containers.

Containers that you hang from the railings are great for herbs and even strawberries if they get enough sunlight. The added advantage of this type of container is that you make full use of the available space.

Another advantage with balcony gardening is that you will have fewer issues with pest control or soil disease as you should use potting soil suited for vegetables rather than soil from a garden.

What are the easiest vegetables to grow on a balcony?

#1 Tomatoes

Tomatoes are really great for growing in containers on a balcony and give lots of produce from a very small space.

There are so many varieties to choose from and even ones specifically adapted for growing in containers on a balcony. 

Go for small varieties such as cherry tomatoes as you will get more fruit from each plant than the larger varieties. Some varieties are suited to hanging baskets which will save floor space for other plants or a table and chairs.

#2 Herbs

Herbs are expensive to buy but easy to grow as well as being easy to store for future use. They need very little space or looking after and give a good harvest for very little outlay.

#3 Peppers and Chilies

Dwarf varieties of peppers and chilies do really well on a balcony and give good crops.

#4 Lettuce

If you have a sheltered, shady balcony, then lettuce will thrive there. And the cut and regrow varieties will give you endless salad throughout the summer.

# 5 Runner Beans

Runner beans, French beans, and peas can be grown in pots but will need a support system like a trellis or string.

#6 Potatoes

You can get upright grow bags for potatoes which work really well on a balcony and give a good crop.

You may also like to read: Is Now a Good Time to Move to the City? The majority of flats with balconies will be in large towns and cities. In this guide, we look at whether moving to the city makes sense for you and whether now is the right time to make that decision.

Not Everything is Rosy in the Garden

For all the pros and cons of having a garden that we have seen so far, one aspect of having a garden that we have not explored is the problems and stresses that having neighbours with gardens can cause.

In an idyllic world, you will sit out of an evening sipping a nice glass of wine, the kids are blissfully happy playing on the lawn, and the sound of birds fills the evening sky as the sun dips over the horizon of another perfect day.

Yet, the reality could be totally different, and having a garden can often be the cause of neighbour disputes and a stressful life for you.

All-night garden parties, screaming kids all evening, BBQ smoke engulfing your sitting area, smelly bonfires, overgrown hedges, noise, and anti-social behaviour.

And if your garden will back onto farmland or fields be aware that those crops will be sprayed, and that the farmer will start work early in the morning and late into the night.

Personally, I love the smells and activity of the farms around (except when they spray the crops and you need to vacate the garden sharpish), but many will not have considered this downside.

Therefore, not everything is always rosy in the garden and you should look closely at the neighbours gardens and the area around you to determine what potential problems you are moving next to.

You may also like to read: Moving Home to Live the GoodLife. Many people would like a garden so that they can live a more sustainable lifestyle. In this guide, we look at how you can make small steps towards living a more sustainable lifestyle no matter where you choose to live.

Rarely do people regret having a garden, most miss it when they don’t have one, and most people derive a huge amount of pleasure from their outside space.

So, the point is, to weigh up exactly what you are prepared to sacrifice to have a garden, what the alternatives are, and what compliments your lifestyle and gives you the best quality of life.

Once you have found your new home be sure to come back and visit our home moving blog where you will find a library of guides to make your home move easier and cheaper.

Good luck with your choice and tell us in the comments below what makes your outside space so great.