The lived experience of adult gardeners : the meaning of gardening and its contribution to gardeners' wellbeing

Abstract

Gardeners are able to connect with nature and reap its benefits in their own home. This study investigated the lived experiences of Maltese adult gardeners and how they perceived gardening to contribute to their well-being. Nature-related theories have shown nature’s indispensable role in our well-being, demonstrating that the human-nature relationship cannot be neglected when looking at people’s well-being. Substantial research has investigated the value of gardening, however many seemed to focus on gardening done in social settings. This qualitative research adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), interviewing three male and three female gardeners between the ages of 30 and 57. The gardeners showed a strong attachment to nature and perceived the garden to be a safe, enriching, and dynamic space. Gardening was described as a commitment, however the positive gardening experience outweighed the commitment and demands required. The findings contribute to counselling psychology’s knowledge on the benefits of domestic gardening on well-being, a field which requires further attention, particularly locally. The study encourages professionals to venture beyond treating clients through talk therapy within the clinic walls.