Cost of untidy garden - £5,000

16:23 31st March 2010

Brits could be encouraged to spend time and money improving the condition of their garden and greenhouse after research showed it could cost them in the long run.

A study by QVC, published in Horticulture Week, found that almost half (45 per cent) of respondents would expect to pay a minimum of £5,000 less for a property with a poorly maintained green space.

The poll also found that rental tenants would look to see their annual bills reduced by £600 if they had to endure a messy yard.

However, 41 per cent admitted to doing no gardening at all, while 71 per cent never do any weeding.

"Simple and inexpensive maintenance and weeding plus the addition of a few colourful plants and flowers make all the difference and could save you thousands of pounds," QVC presenter Richard Jackson told Horticulture week.

In other news, a hedgehog expert has explained to the Independent how the animals can help gardeners, but have had their population reduced to around one million.