Americans Now Spend More Time in Their Backyards Than They Did Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the course of the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary pause on widespread travel and outdoor gathering, but according to a new study, Americans didn't let the coronavirus stop them from getting outside. In fact, three-quarters of American homeowners used their private outdoor spaces to spend time outdoors and boost their mental health during stay-at-home restrictions.

OnePoll conducted a survey with 2,000 homeowners on behalf of lawn care company TruGreen, and found that the participants are now spending 14 hours every week outside (which is three hours more than before the COVID-19 outbreak). Plus, 73 percent of the respondents explained that spending time outside has been therapeutic, in addition to seven out of 10 saying that adding to their home exterior spaces has become a new hobby.

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The garden has become an important place for so many of us during the pandemic, as half of poll participants said that they have invested in new plants and garden updates, as well as new outdoor seating since last year. And 69 percent simply agree that a home's exterior is more of a priority after the pandemic began. Speaking of investing in outdoor spaces, volunteers spent an average of $1,910.99 to improve these areas ($414.67 specifically on new outdoor furniture and $377.49 on equipment, like grills).

"After a year indoors, there appears to be newfound appreciation for what the outdoors can offer, with 67 percent of respondents agreeing that they used to take their outdoor space for granted," says Marc Mayer, TruGreen's Director of Technical Operations, in a statement. "But this past year has also challenged Americans to creatively utilize their outdoor spaces as a little reprieve from the indoors, while also staying safe through proper social distancing measures."