More than ever, that peaceful, easy feeling

More than three-quarters of Americans who have a yard (76%) say the family yard space is one of the most important parts of their home, according to a new poll commissioned by the TurfMutt Foundation and conducted online by The Harris Poll.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans overall (72%) say a spacious yard would be at the top of their wish list if they were looking for a new home. That desire reflects a cultural shift in how Americans view their yards. Even more so, they're willing to invest in their yards and are using them more for everyday activities, including as work-from-home office space.

"What we are seeing with Americans is greater reliance on the backyard as an extension of the home. It's not just a place that looks pretty – it's a place to live and do daily activities such as working, dining and relaxing," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation.

People are enjoying extra time outside, too. Nearly a quarter of Americans who have a yard (24%) are spending more time there now than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

And they are really enjoying the extra time outside. Over three in five Americans who have a yard (63%) say they have enjoyed doing more activities in their yard since the pandemic began. Younger adults (68% age 18-54 vs. 52% age 65+) and parents of kids under 18 (73% vs. 58% who are not parents of kids under 18) are more apt to feel this way.

Who's spending all that time outside?

• Older millennials – 32% of adults ages 35-44 who have a yard are spending more time in their yard than prepandemic.

• Parents – 30% of those with a yard who are parents of kids under 18 are spending more time out in their yard now than pre-pandemic and are more likely than those without kids under 18 to say they are doing so (21%).

The yard has also become a place to de-stress, with more than two-thirds of Americans who have a yard (69%) saying doing yard work, such as mowing, trimming or planting, is one of the ways they like to de-stress these days. This is especially true among parents of kids under 18 as they are more likely than their counterparts without kids under 18 to cite this (76% vs. 65%).

A vast majority of Americans who have a yard (84%) plan to invest in their yard in 2022, including:

• 67% say they'll purchase plants/ trees/flowers/vegetables to plant themselves, • 39% report they will purchase items to maintain or improve their grassy areas,

• 23 % say they will install or update hardscaping themselves.

And the outlook looks bright for the landscaping industry. About a third (33%) of those with a yard plan to hire a professional to do landscaping or hardscaping in 2022. Other yard improvements planned for 2022 include installing a fence (19%) or a shed (15%) and adding a swimming pool (10%).

Among those with a yard:

• Adults ages 18-44 are more likely than those ages 45+ to say they plan to invest in their yard in 2022 by hiring a professional to do landscaping or hardscaping, 43% compared to 26% of those age 45+.

• Nearly a third of those ages 18- 44 (31%) will install or update hardscaping themselves, 27% will install a fence, 21% will install a shed and 18% plan to put in a swimming pool.

• Parents of kids under 18 (73%) are more likely than their counterparts (63%) to say they plan to invest in their yard in 2022 by purchasing plants, trees, flowers or vegetables to plant themselves.