Gardens as islands, gardens as reflections of identity
Qualitative interviews can help capture social practices and experiences that are not always reflected in formal policy documents.
My research aimed to:
Explore agricultural and gardening practices and preferences in an island context
Understand how people connect with nature in urban areas
Understand the relationship between personal values and creativity/experimentation in gardens
Use island theory to understand the values driving urban gardening
To study this, I interviewed gardeners on the Greek island of Lesvos about their private, home gardens between February and May of 2024.
Gardens as canvases for experimentation and creativity…
“you can create what you want in your garden... a Buddha garden, a fairy garden [...] it’s a magical space”
Gardens as spaces of sharing
“it’s a good thing to have something to share with your neighbour [...] we share plants, food, digging tools...”
Gardens as spaces to connect to personal values
“[My kids] feel the existence and the non-existence [...] this will make them more responsible”
