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Survey Says: Yards are Vital05-29-15 | News

Survey Says: Yards are Vital

A new survey of consumers conducted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals with Harris Poll found that Americans overwhelmingly value yards and spending time in them.
Photo: Kelley Hanna

In spite of the evolution of a "typical" yard due to water conservation concerns, design innovations and more, and the distractions awaiting one inside of a home, an online survey conducted by Harris Poll left no doubt as to the continued importance they are in our lives.

The study, commissioned by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, polled 2,034 U.S. adults, ages 18 and up. The results show that 75 percent of Americans feel that it is important to spend time outside in their yards. This includes 74 percent of millennials (18-34 year olds). A full 90 percent of all participants prefer to live in a home surrounded by trees, grass and other living plants.

Eighty-three percent of Americans think having a yard is important and 90 percent of those with a yard think it is important that it is also well maintained. Ninety-one percent want to live in an area where they can see or walk to nice landscaping, 71 percent think it is important that their neighbors have well-maintained yards, and 84 percent stated that the quality of a home's landscaping would affect their decision about whether or not to buy a home.

In more good news for the green industry, 67 percent of respondents feel that professional landscapers would allow them to have a nicer yard, and 47 percent wish they could hire them.