Health, well-being and socio-cultural benefits

For many, gardening is an engaging and rewarding pastime. However, with urbanisation there is pressure to reduce the size of domestic gardens, or remove them altogether in some new developments. This chapter discusses the role gardening has on physical and psychological health and how it impacts on social capital. On the positive side of balance in terms of human well‐being, gardens and the plants growing within them are associated with the provision of oxygen, improved air quality, thermal comfort, home‐grown food, opportunities for exercise and improved physical fitness, psychological benefits, spiritual enrichment, educational opportunities, creative flair, self‐expression and recreation as well as opportunities for social interactions with family, friends and neighbours. All of these factors contribute to the popularity of gardens and gardening. Conversely, certain gardening practices may foster disservices, such as the pollution of water sources via pesticide/fertilizer misuse, or the predominant use of hybrid plant species.