Gardening at home remains popular and resilient post‑2020, with roughly four in five U.S. households participating in some lawn or garden activity each year according to summaries of the 2024 National Gardening Survey (NGS). From vibrant flowers and native, pollinator‑friendly plantings to organic veggies and herbs, the benefits span fresh food, biodiversity, and well‑being. This guide explores how gardening enhances your home and how certain projects can influence your homeowner’s insurance through coverage limits, liability exposure, and wildfire‑mitigation credits (see California’s Safer from Wildfires framework).
Gardening Benefits: Enhancing Your Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in home gardening has surged and stayed high. The 2024 NGS indicates broad, durable participation—about four in five households engage annually—while younger cohorts are growing fastest (NGS 2024). Time‑use data show that on an average day, about 8% of people do lawn/garden care and those who do spend roughly two hours, underscoring gardening’s staying power (BLS ATUS 2023). Many are planting vegetables, herbs, and small fruits alongside pollinator‑ and climate‑resilient natives, and Gen Z/younger millennials are especially likely to say they’ll garden the same or more this year (Axiom 2025). If you’re part of this movement, read on to learn how to dive into gardening and impact your homeowner’s insurance positively.
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Benefits of Having a Home Garden
Surveys show sustained, elevated participation: recent NGS reporting points to roughly four in five U.S. households engaging in lawn and garden activities, with strong retention among pandemic‑era beginners and continued momentum from Gen Z and younger millennials (NGS 2024; Axiom 2025). Renters and urban gardeners increasingly use containers and raised beds to grow edibles and pollinator‑friendly plants even in small spaces.
Eating Organically
Growing your own food lets you control inputs for a healthier harvest, from soil and compost to pest management. The organic garden market now includes peat‑free mixes, biochar‑enriched soils, and reduced‑risk controls. Practicing integrated pest management—and using evidence‑based resources like UC IPM—helps protect beneficial insects while targeting harmful ones. Water‑wise irrigation (drip plus a smart, weather‑based controller) can cut outdoor water waste while improving plant health (EPA WaterSense).
An Engaging Hobby
Gardening is an engaging, rewarding hobby that combines learning, exercise, and creativity. Entry costs can be modest—seed packets often run $2–$5 and common vegetable starts $3–$5 each—while basic tools and soil amendments are reusable. Time‑use data show participants typically spend around two hours when they garden, reflecting its value as meaningful leisure (BLS ATUS).
Stress Reducer
Beyond physical benefits, gardening offers mental relaxation. Harvesting fresh ingredients and working away from digital distractions provides restorative outdoor time and a sense of accomplishment.
Costs Associated With Having a Garden
Gardening costs vary with size, location, and complexity. In 2025, most physical supplies saw flat to low single‑digit price changes while services (like mowing or bed installs) rose faster (BLS CPI). Typical ranges: seeds $2–$5/packet; vegetable transplants $3–$5 each; potting mix (1.5–2 cu ft) $10–$20; compost (bulk) $30–$50/yd³; mulch (bulk) $40–$70/yd³; drip starter kits $70–$200; LED grow lights $40–$120 per fixture with operating costs around $0.02–$0.04 per hour at current electricity rates (EIA).
Size
Larger gardens generally incur higher costs. A basic 4×8 ft raised bed can run about $80–$200 for lumber/hardware, plus fill soil/compost (≈1.2 yd³) at roughly $40–$100. Scaling to multiple beds multiplies materials and soil costs; adding structures (fencing, pergolas, sheds) raises budgets further. Outsourced services add up: routine mowing often costs $35–$65 per visit, with seasonal totals commonly in the $1,000–$1,600 range depending on lot size and region (Angi).
Location
Your soil type affects costs. Rich, friable soil supports easier planting, while poor or compacted soil may require amendments or raised beds with purchased mix. Water costs also vary locally: 1 inch of water over 1 sq ft equals about 0.623 gallons, so a 100 sq ft bed uses roughly 62 gallons per 1‑inch irrigation event—handy for estimating seasonal water budgets (USGS).
Complexity
The complexity of your garden influences costs and ongoing effort. Seeds are cost‑effective; specialty seedlings and rare plants are pricier. Drip irrigation kits ($70–$200) and timers add convenience and water efficiency; spectrum‑tunable LEDs ($40–$120) support seed starting and indoor greens. Fertilizer costs moderated from 2022 peaks as benchmark prices eased, reducing a major input pressure (GMNAFPI). Consider your design and maintenance style (DIY vs. services) when budgeting.
Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
Gardening can affect coverage needs and premiums. Most standard homeowners policies cover landscaping, but under tight sub‑limits—typically up to about 5% of the dwelling (Coverage A) limit in total, with a common per‑plant cap around $500 and coverage limited to specific perils like fire, theft, or vandalism (Insurance Information Institute; Allstate). Garden structures not attached to the house (sheds, pergolas, greenhouses, fences) are usually insured under Other Structures (Coverage B), commonly set at 10% of the dwelling limit by default; increasing Coverage B to reflect new projects raises premium accordingly (State Farm).
Know your perils, exclusions, and add‑ons. Plant losses from wind, disease, or drought are often excluded, and tree debris removal is typically limited (commonly about $500 per tree and $1,000 per event when property is damaged or access is blocked—check your policy) (III). Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood, and NFIP policies do not cover landscaping or fences (FloodSmart). Some garden features (pools/spas, large water features, trampolines) can increase liability exposure and may trigger safety requirements or surcharges—consider higher liability limits or a personal umbrella. In wildfire‑exposed areas, verified mitigation—including defensible‑space landscaping near the home—can earn premium credits where available under California’s Safer from Wildfires framework; some insurers also recognize IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home or NFPA Firewise USA participation.
Conclusion
Gardening is a rewarding venture with aesthetic, environmental, and financial upsides. To protect what you’ve built, inventory your landscaping and structures, consider endorsements above default plant sub‑limits, recalculate Other Structures coverage after projects, and leverage wildfire‑smart landscaping to qualify for available credits where offered (Safer from Wildfires). Review your policy and speak with your agent for tailored guidance.
