Chore no more, it’s a way of life for the ‘lawndads’

Taking care of your garden provides an excuse to get outside and immerse yourself in nature – and before long what started as a chore sees you lose track of time and becomes a labour of love.

The task of cutting the grass or trimming the hedges might once have been seen as something you had to fight with your other half to get done. But now, with the rise of #lawndad tags on Instagram, it has become a new hobby, a way of life and an obsession for many across Ireland.

Munster and Ireland rugby player Peter O’Mahony has famously maintained a beautiful garden which demonstrates his second passion off the pitch. The avid gardener regularly shares updates on his Instagram page @peteomahony.

The real sign that someone has become fixated on looking after their garden is that they won’t stop talking about the perfectly symmetrical lines in their lawn, or what equipment they ‘need’ to purchase next. Instead of talking about the kids, sports or the weather, they are talking about different lawnmower types and plants over the dinner table.

You might be thinking it has gone a step too far if they are looking out the window during the winter months dreaming of the days when they can get out to cut their grass again.

If you have noticed them spending hours cutting the grass twice in one week, or beaming with pride and smugness when they have timed their mowing perfectly before the rain falls, the likelihood is they are already become part of the movement.

If this is now your reality and your other half is spending hours watching the grass grow or wondering what job they want to perfect next, try to hold back the eye rolls and judgment.

And be happy that they are spending time outside in the fresh air, relieving stress and improving their physical and mental health – whether they realise it or not it can be very therapeutic.