What does “sustainability” mean for home gardens? Exploring the perspective of garden owners

There is a growing scientific interest in home gardens and their impact on sustainability.
While scientists often focus on a specific aspect of sustainability, the perspective of the garden owners themselves is often overlooked.
This is where the present study comes in.
We collected data from an open-ended question in an online survey with n=262 participants and data from two focus groups with n=12 participants to explore garden owners’ perspective on the sustainability of gardens.
We analysed the data using content analysis.
From the survey data we find that home gardeners defined sustainability of gardens mainly in terms of environmental aspects, such as not using chemical-synthetic pesticides and protecting nature.
Some economic aspects were also mentioned, such as cultivating food in home gardens.
Participants of the two qualitative focus groups were asked to specifically discuss the sustainable impacts of gardens in all three dimensions.
In the environmental dimension, very similar aspects were mentioned as in the online survey.
In the social dimension, various leisure activities in the garden and the positive impact of gardens on health were discussed.
The economic dimension included both positive and negative impacts, such as the various costs associated with maintaining a garden.
Our research is the first to explore the meaning of sustainable home gardens from garden owners’ perspective.

EHC2024: International Symposium on Urban Horticulture: from Vertical Farming to Planting Design

M. Lehberger, D. Weinrich, L. Pizzini, K. Sparke

private gardens, sustainable gardens, urban gardening, definitions

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1441.16