Where birds felt louder: The garden as a refuge during COVID-19

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries experienced something of a boom in interest in gardening. Gardens have long been considered as refuges into which we retreat to escape various struggles and challenges. In this study we examine the characteristics and functions of the garden as a refuge during the period of increased garden interest associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of qualitative results about garden experiences from 3,743 survey respondents revealed intertwining garden and emotional geographies. Utilising non-representational and therapeutic landscape theories, we found multifarious and heightened experiences of non-material aspects of gardens; that is, the sensory and emotional aspects. People experienced, for example, a sense of joy, beauty, and reassurance, a greater attunement to the natural world and an increased sense of nature connection than they had at other times: birds felt louder. These heightened sensory and emotional experiences had therapeutic benefits, across age and geographical spectrums, during these difficult times. This research improves our understandings of the positive potential of non-material aspects of gardens in the creation of therapeutic landscapes in and beyond COVID-19.

Gardening can relieve human stress and boost nature connection during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The surge in gardening interest, activity and value shown in the popular media ( Atkinson, 2020 ; Evans and Davies, 2020 ), other studies ( Corley et al, 2021 ; Lin et al, 2021 ; Marsh et al, 2021 ; Schoen et al, 2021 ) and highlighted here in our results emphasizes the heightened importance of gardening during time of crisis, from natural disasters to economic crashes and political unrest. Specifically, literature shows that gardening is a practice for resilience and hope during social upheaval and crises ( McClintock, 2010 ).…”

“…As we write this, the state of the world is still bleak, and the future is unclear. Yet, in gardens and gardening people may still find a sense of hope ( Marsh et al, 2021 ). Gardening is a powerful strategy to cope with stress through outdoor activity, and for provision of food security during periods of uncertainty.…”

“…Here, one of the research questions is based on a combination of two survey questions. Qualitative and open-ended responses are analyzed and reported on elsewhere ( Marsh et al, 2021 ).…”

“…During this time of uncertainty and threats to human health, gardens (from large allotment gardens to smaller backyard and balcony planters) appear to have risen as something of a lifeline for people ( Abe and Cheibub, 2021 ; Champ, 2020 ; Dillon, 2020 ; Marsh et al, 2021 ; Oreglia, 2020 ; Schoen et al, 2021 ). As infection rates spiked in nations across the world, so did people’s online interest in gardening ( Lin et al, 2021 ).…”

COVID‐19 gardening could herald a greener, healthier future

“… 2021 ), as well as to answer questions such as whether people gained a new or renewed interest in gardening during lockdowns, or desired more or less access to nature during this time of hardship (Marsh et al . 2021 ).…”