The state of the garden has replaced a burglary as the biggest fear holidaymakers have while away from home.
The heatwave sweeping the UK has left householders jetting off abroad worrying over the state of their garden when they return.
Britons biggest concern used to be break-ins while they were on vacation, but this angst has turned to beloved flowerbeds, pot plants and the lawn.
In a survey for JD Williams a third (34%) of those leaving for resorts abroad said their top anxiety in going away was how to keep their sun-drenched garden plants from wilting away. This was followed by home security worries for 28%, with the car getting damaged while they were away keeping another 14% awake at night.
Other home-based fears were 11% worried about their pets and 4% water leaks causing damage.
The soaring temperatures and threats of hose-pipe bans have left many dreading returning from holiday to a barren looking garden, as well as and hundreds of pounds worth of parched grass needing replacing.
More than half of those who say leaving their gardens while on holiday is their biggest worry said they would be happy to pay someone to water their plants while they were away, yet only a fifth, 21%, have asked a neighbour or relative to pop in while they are away and check their home.
The concerns have been reflected on social media which is awash with suggestions for helping keep lawns green, as well as comments from panicking commentators who have asked to look after a friend’s garden while they are away.
Suzi Burns of JD Williams said: “Anxiety over leaving a lovely garden during the unprecedented heatwave this summer is understandable.
“Gardens have become an extension to the home as more people enjoy outdoor living. We are relaxing, eating and entertaining more outside which is something we have seen reflected in the recent upsurge in sales of our garden furniture sets and outdoor accessories.
“Fortunately, most people have friends or relatives willing to take on watering duties – although it’s definitely not a job for the faint-hearted this summer.”
Latest spending figures show Brits spend an average £225 a year on plants for inside and outside the home with a fifth of us also having vegetable plots.
