Brits who have built a conservatory or glazed kitchen extension that gives them views of the garden may be considering making better use of their green space.

According to a leading gardening magazine, the 'grow your own' trend is continuing in spite of predictions that it would slow in 2010.

Amateur Gardening editor Kris Collins noted that the craze has been boosted by the plethora of gardening shows and information available in books and online.

He said that the popularity of the hobby was definitely increasing rather than declining.

"They think that the popularity will wane over the next year or so and that it will go back to more formal gardening and people will go back to buying their vegetables from the shops but I don't believe that," the expert explained.

Recent research from MORE TH>N revealed a resurgence in the popularity of the garden gnome, bolstered by customers aged 18 to 24.

However, Mr Collins claimed that another trend is developing, with people focusing on sustainable and wildlife gardening.

He suggested that garden and greenhouse owners could soon start investing in ponds designed to provide a habitat for animals.

Posted by Cheryl Stevenson