The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has emphasised some of the many benefits of working in gardening as a full-time profession.
This comes in an effort to combat the likelihood of people being down in the dumps today (January 21st), which has been labelled 'Blue Monday' – supposedly the most miserable day of the year.
However, this trend may not be as prominent an issue for people in gardening careers – as the results of a new survey indicate that workers in this sector are more contented than their counterparts in other careers.
Research from vocational education provider City & Guilds found that professional gardeners and florists are the happiest members of staff in the UK.
It was specified that 80 per cent of individuals in these roles feel very much appreciated and recognised for the work they carry out.
A further 89 per cent of respondents added that they feel their work is worthwhile and 87 per cent are happy with their choice of career.
Indeed, 89 per cent of the surveyed workers said that feeling useful and working in an environment they enjoy is one of the attributes that they most closely associate with their gardening role.
However, a survey commissioned by the RHS found that 70 per cent of UK adults did not have horticulture highlighted to them as an opportunity when leaving education.
Furthermore nearly 80 per cent of young adults under the age of 25 claim that they are not interested in a career in horticulture.
Curator at RHS garden Hyde Hall Ian Le Gros said that his organisation hopes to raise awareness of the satisfaction there is to be had in getting to work with garden tools.
"Gardening is undoubtedly the best career there is," he commented, adding: "Perks include a vast scope for creativity, endless opportunities and working outside on fine summer days or crisp winter days is wonderful.
"You work with a subject that is massively broad and could learn a new plant and skill every day."
