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'I left America for UK and there are three surprising ways British gardens are different'
'I left America for UK and there are three surprising ways British gardens are different'
It's is a popular pastime for many people around the world, but it seems there are some major differences when it comes to gardening on both sides of the pond
One man spotted three ways British gardens are different to American ones (stock image)
(Image: Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)
Gardening is a beloved pastime for many across the globe, offering a chance to connect with nature and experience the satisfaction of cultivating one's own produce. It can be a therapeutic activity for many, with no limit to the variety of plants and flowers that can thrive in home gardens.
The basics of gardening involve understanding soil composition, choosing suitable plants based on climate and growing conditions, and effective planting techniques. There are certain simple tasks that every garden requires, such as sowing, weeding, watering, pest control and general maintenance such as mowing the lawn.
However, there are some nuances in gardening practices depending on the country. TikTok user @grande_americano, a Texan living in Suffolk with his British wife, offered such insights. He provided his followers with snapshots of his life in the UK, including how it differs from the US. In one of his videos, he discusses the differences between American and British gardening.
He then highlighted three differences he has noticed, sharing his observations with his friends back in the States.
1. Brits don't say 'yard' or 'yard work'
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The first difference the Texan noted was that Brits don't typically use the terms "yard" or "yard work". He explained: "Gardening means everything you do in the yard. When I grew up you did yard work, which was mowing, trimming, edging and a garden was a separate thing."
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He clarified that while a garden typically refers to a space for flowers or vegetables, in Britain, the term "garden" encompasses the entire outdoor area – what he would refer to as the yard, lawn and the spots where flowers and vegetables grow.
The expat also found out that when a Brit talks about having a garden party, they're actually referring to an event held in the yard.
2. The soil is 'nice'
Moving on, the TikTok creator shared: "The second thing is the soil is nice. I did a little bit of gardening today and it was actually somewhat pleasant to be able to pull weeds and dig around and not be hitting rocks after a half inch of top soil, like I would be doing in Texas where I'm from."
He discovered that there's no limestone or dolomite to chip through in his UK garden, unlike in Texas. The American described the soil as "nice, rich dirt".
3. No 'weird' critters in the UK
The final difference he observed is the absence of "weird critters" commonly found in Texas, such as scorpions or venomous snakes. He remarked: "I did see quite a few spiders and slugs and snails, [I] even saw two newts."
Despite spotting "plenty of critters wandering around" and "lots of good fishing worms" in the soil, he noticed that they go about "minding their own business".
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The Texan added: "I've been told that there are some snakes here in the UK and possibly one viper, one venomous snake but I've been told that you'll be lucky to ever see a snake, much less a poisonous one."
The American conceded that despite his occasional complaints about the weather, it's the mild climate, coupled with the moisture and humidity, that results in "such beautiful lush gardens and scenery and countryside that we all really love".
