These are the signs that someone is a good gardener, according to poll

A presentable garden is one of biggest clues

(Getty)

Always having a presentable garden, owning lots of tools, and knowing the names of different plants and trees are among the best indicators that someone is a keen gardener, according to a poll.

A study of 2,000 adults found 26 per cent of people in Britain rated themselves as “pretty good” at gardening, and 68 per cent were confident with using outdoor products including lawnmowers and trimmers.

Giving advice to others, knowing which plants to grow at what time of the year, and spending lots of money on tools and garden furniture were also considered indicators of a good gardener.

But the study found the average adult would not hone their gardening skills until the age of 44, when they become house proud.

More than one-third were encouraged to spruce up their garden when they first bought a home.

The research commissioned by garden tools manufacturer STIHL also found 16 per cent of adults wished they had got into gardening at a younger age and one-third were interested in learning more about it.

Simon Hewitt, from STIHL, said: “Everyone gets into gardening at different stages of their life — whether it’s owning a house or wanting to take up a new hobby which motivates them.

“But from this research it is interesting to see what skills Brits consider a ‘master of gardening’ to have and how we judge another person’s gardening skills based on whether their garden is looked after.

The study also found only 34 per cent of 18-24 year olds confidently knew how often to mow the grass, compared with two-thirds of over 55s.

Less than one-fifth of younger adults could prepare soil, while more than double the proportion of over-55s could.

Similarly, 65 per cent of the older generation were confident in what tools to use for different tasks, compared to just one-quarter of 18-24 year olds.

The upkeep of a garden today includes a lot more than just mowing a lawn, with 59 per cent of homes also having a patio area and one-fifth including decking.

More than one-quarter also featured a vegetable patch while one in five grow their own fruit and 64 per cent have potted plants.

But gardening does not come without its failures, more than one-third of adults admitted to having killed a houseplant.

Another four in 10 have overwatered their flowers and 16 per cent have cut the grass too short.

The poll also found that in recent weeks during the lockdown, 23 per cent had done more gardening than ever before and two in five had used the time to tidy up their outdoor space.

Mr Hewitt added: “Spring has always been the perfect time to get into the garden, but this year with the lock down enforced, taking refuge in the garden is more important and popular than ever.

“The beauty of gardening is that you don’t have to be a master to get involved and often you just need the right tools for the job.

SWNS