Sowing a narrative; Understanding the motivations of garden owners engaging in community gardening.
A REPORT OF A DISSERTATION COMPLETED BY ALAINA PATERSON IN FULFILMENT OF AN MSC IN OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION
BACKGROUND: Gardens and the act of gardening translate into many different forms and are incredibly individual, representing a multitude of memories, benefits and reasons for their upkeep (or a lack thereof). Throughout my research, I came across a multitude of examples of how gardens help; “create community-based environmental change”(i), improve physical and psychological health (ii), create a bridge between different ethnic, racial and or age groups (iii), help reduce stress (iv), offer connection to nature v and improve ecosystem services (vi). The most profound and interesting representation of gardens, which I believe offers a useful lens for this study, states that: “The garden represents a place of ontological security” (vii). Ontology refers to the way people make sense of reality and their existence within this reality (viii). The idea that gardens help people make sense of their reality is a concise and profound way of summarising the multitude of potential benefits that engaging with gardening may have. In times of uncertainty in life like ageing, moving, or sickness, during which loss of independence and community occurs, gardening helps foster place-based relationships that allow people to experience natural changes in a contained and conducive environment to healing(ix).
THE STUDY: This study explores and defends a new form of community gardening, targeting an older population who are no longer physically able to engage with gardening on their own; a group I argue are underrepresented in the current literature. Through seeking a greater understanding of the motivations behind their continued engagement with Edinburgh Garden Partners, as well as the non-physical ways that they contribute to community development and engagement, there will be an exploration of issues of land policy, sustainable community development, mental health and intergenerational learning. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with three older garden owners within the community who were actively involved with Edinburgh Garden Partners. Data was analysed using a narrative inquiry approach in which participants’ voices, stories and narratives were contextualised by the researcher, using previous research on community gardening, allotments, intergenerational learning and urban green-spaces.
FINDINGS: Findings state that motivations for engaging with Edinburgh Garden Partners for older participants are psychological - as age and physical disabilities limit their ability to experience their garden physically. Motivations for engaging speak to the concept of ontological security, stating that participants desired an improved sense of place, friendship, reciprocity, self-agency and security/safety within their lives. Understanding the motivations helps shed light on the necessity to broaden the definition of community gardening. Through an intermediary volunteering system based on friendship and reciprocity, free from the constraints of monetary exchange, it is clear that the current definition excludes people able to participate through non-physical actions and interventions. In an age of increased social exclusion for older populations (x) more creative approaches to community development like that of EGP can help improve their sense of belonging and security within society while simultaneously benefiting the community through the lending of land for gardening. A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable member. Long-term sustainable community development therefore must include and encourage their participation in order to ensure the continued health and success of the community in the future.
WHAT’S NEXT? If you wish to read the full dissertation, please contact Alaina Paterson: aapaterson11@gmail.com
REFERENCES:
(i) Ramirez-Andreotta, M., Tapper, A., Clough, D., Carrera, J., & Sandhaus, S. (2019). Understanding the Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations Associated with Community Gardening to Improve Environmental Public Health Prevention and Intervention. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 16(3), 494. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16030494.
(ii) Okvat, H., & Zautra, A. (2011). Community Gardening: A Parsimonious Path to Individual, Community, and Environmental Resilience. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47(3-4), 374-387.
(iii) Teig, E., Amulya, J., Bardwell, L., Buchenau, M., Marshall, J., & Litt, J. (2009). Collective efficacy in Denver, Colorado: Strengthening neighborhoods and health through community gardens. Health & Place, 15(4), 1115- doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2009.06.003.
(iv) Same, A., Lee, E., McNamara, B., & Rosenwax, L. (2016). The Value of a Gardening Service for the Frail Elderly and People With a Disability Living in the Community. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 28(4), 256-261. doi:10.1177/1084822316652575.
(v) Wood, C., Pretty, J., & Griffin, M. (2015). A case–control study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening. Journal Of Public Health, 38(3), 336-344. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv146.
(vi) Stott, I., Soga, M., Inger, R., & Gaston, K. (2015). Land sparing is crucial for urban ecosystem services. Frontiers In Ecology And The Environment, 13(7), 387- 393. doi: 10.1890/140286.
(vii) Milligan, C., Gatrell, A., & Bingley, A. (2004). ‘Cultivating health’: therapeutic landscapes and older people in northern England. Social Science & Medicine, 58(9), 1781-1793. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(03)00397-6.
(viii) Thomas, G. (2017). How To Do Your Research Project (3rd ed.). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
(ix) Adevi, A., & Lieberg, N. (2013). Stress rehabilitation through garden therapy: The garden as a place in the recovery from stress. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 12(2), 230- 237. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2013.01.007.
(x) Federici, S. (2019). Re-enchanting the World: Feminism and the Politics of the Commons. Toronto, Ontario: Between the Lines.