The Hidden Face of British Gardening - Sir Roderick Floud

TL;DR

The economic history of gardening in Britain is examined, including the growth of the garden industry, the value of gardens, and the reasons for the British obsession with gardening.

Transcript

good evening ladies and gentlemen and I usually have the pleasure of welcoming the audience to Gresham College and also introducing the speaker as Provost of the college so I'll do the first but not bother to introduce myself you are very welcome here can I just note that on your seats I think you've got reference to a lecture by the Lord Mayor the... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The garden industry in Britain has a long history, dating back to Roman times and the medieval period.
• 🤪 The value of the garden industry goes beyond its contribution to gross domestic product, as it involves household production and non-monetized activities.
• 👯 Gardens in Britain, both large and small, have been a source of pleasure for people of all social classes throughout history.
• 👶 The expansion of the garden industry in the 18th and 19th centuries can be attributed to factors such as the importation of new plants, the growth of nurseries, and the popularity of gardening books and magazines.
• 🏡 The demand for gardening in Britain extended to the towns and cities, where many houses were built with gardens attached.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why were tunnels used in some British gardens to hide the gardeners?

Tunnels were used to conceal the gardeners from view, as the owners and guests believed that the beauty of the garden should be enjoyed without being reminded of the work behind it.

Q: What is the size of the garden industry in Britain today?

The horticultural trades Association estimates that the annual expenditure on gardens in Britain is 5 billion pounds, representing about a quarter of 1% of the country's gross domestic product.

Q: How much time do British adults spend on gardening?

According to time use studies, the average British adult spends 17 minutes per day on gardening, which is more time than they spend on formal education or using computers.

Q: Why did gardening become a national obsession in Britain?

The speaker suggests that the growth of gardening in Britain can be attributed to factors such as affluence, the influence of the gentry and nobility, and the popularity of garden visiting.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the history of British gardening, including the use of tunnels to hide the gardeners from view.

• The research project focuses on the economic history of gardening and the growth of the garden industry in Britain.

• The speaker explores the value of the garden industry, including the expenditure on gardens and the capital value of gardens.