Review and Analysis of the Benefits, Purposes, and Motivations Associated with Community Gardening in the United States

TLDR

Community gardens have been part of American culture since the late 19th century, with participation fluctuating alongside socioeconomic shifts and recently spurred by the current economic recession. A 1999–2010 review found few quantitative studies but abundant qualitative evidence, revealing eleven themes on purposes, benefits, and motivations, and showing community gardens as effective tools for practitioners in organizing, development, and change.

Abstract

Community gardens have been a part of modern American culture since the late 19th century. Participation in community gardening has ebbed and flowed in response to changing socioeconomic conditions, and thus the current economic recession has reheightened public interest. In a review of the scholarly literature from 1999 to 2010, rigorous quantitative research studies on the effects of community gardens are found to be sparse; however, a larger body of qualitative data is available. Eleven themes related to the purposes, benefits of, and motivations for participating in community gardens are identified. Community gardens can serve as an effective tool for community-based practitioners in carrying out their roles within the arenas of organizing, development, and change.