RESEARCH

Spending Time in the Garden is Positively Associated with Health and Wellbeing: Results from a National Survey in England

After adjusting for covariates, using the garden for both relaxing and gardening was associated with reporting better outcomes across all five measures, including better general health (OR 1.48, CI 1.26–1.74) and being more likely to meet physical activity guidelines (OR 1.44, CI 1.24–1.67) compared to not using the garden. Access to a private garden was specifically associated with higher evaluative wellbeing (OR 1.22, CI 1.02–1.47), while access to a private outdoor space like a yard was associated with being more likely to meet physical activity guidelines (OR 1.54, 1.15–2.0).

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Setting or Context: Community Gardens, Homes/Private Residences

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Observational Research, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Paid

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Summary

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between access to and use of domestic gardens and health and wellbeing outcomes. This research is important because domestic gardens comprise a high proportion of land cover in urban areas in the UK (~30% compared to ~5% public green space), yet they are relatively neglected in natural environment-health research compared to public green spaces. By understanding the potential health benefits of domestic gardens, the study sought to inform urban policy and planning regarding their provision alongside public green space, especially given increasing pressures on urban land.

The research analyzed secondary data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey, a large-scale, representative survey of the English adult population. The analysis included data from 7,814 respondents who answered questions on both garden access and use. Garden access was categorized into private garden, private communal garden, private outdoor space (balcony, yard, patio), or no garden access. Garden use focused on “Gardening” and “Sitting or relaxing in a garden”. The outcomes assessed included general health, evaluative wellbeing (life satisfaction), eudaimonic wellbeing (worthwhile life), meeting physical activity guidelines, and visiting nature. Binary logistic regression models were used, including adjustments for various individual and area-level socio-demographic factor.

Link

de Bell, S., White, M., Griffiths, A. et al. (2020). Spending time in the garden is positively associated with health and wellbeing: Results from a national survey in England. Landscape and Urban Planning, 200, 103836

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