| dc.description.abstract | Gardening became a popular activity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as it was seen as a safe and productive way to spend time. During the initial lockdowns in the spring of 2020, many garden supply stores ran out of seeds, compost, and other materials. Past research has explored the many social benefits that community and urban gardens provide, with members experiencing greater feelings of social inclusion, connection with nature, wellbeing, and community. Gardens have also been shown to provide a “third space” for discussion, interaction, and building social capital. During this time, the media covered this topic extensively, with the attention focused primarily on gardening as a social activity for those wishing to fight isolation and build community. This research sought to explore this phenomenon, by studying the experiences of those working to operate community gardens behind the scenes. By interviewing garden coordinators, as well as conducting a media analysis, this research has sought to examine whether the public narrative has captured the same roles, benefits, and challenges that come with running these spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. | en_US |
