Section A is a literature review, exploring the psychological theories behind gardening-based mental health interventions and providing an overview of the current evidence to support their use. It builds on the last comprehensive review conducted in 2003, finding that the evidence-base has developed considerably over the past decade but that there is still a need for higher quality research in this field. Section B considers the value of gardening in promoting wellbeing in a non-clinical sample. A qualitative study is presented in which six suburban allotment-holders completed in-depth interviews about their allotment gardening and its perceived impact on their wellbeing. Transcripts were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Seven main themes emerged from the data: fundamental importance of food, protection and safety, feeling connected, esteem, pleasure of being in nature, development and values. Parallels were drawn between these themes and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. While each participant talked to some extent about all of the themes, a different theme was dominant for each individual, suggesting that allotments are flexible environments that may enable people to meet their individual needs, in order to enhance wellbeing. Implications for clinical and community psychology are discussed.

The potential for green interventions to promote mental wellbeing and reduce mental distress is increasingly being recognised (Mind, 2007). Preliminary evidence suggests that allotment gardening activities may have a significant effect on mental wellbeing, but a paucity of research, particularly in non-clinical populations, has been highlighted (Partridge, 2010). A cross-sectional online survey of 171 allotment gardeners was conducted. Measures of subjective wellbeing (quality of life), eudaimonic wellbeing, connectedness to nature and preference for solitude were administered. Qualitative data were also collected through open-ended questions. Allotment gardeners’ scores on measures of environmental quality of life and eudaimonic wellbeing were significantly higher than those reported in the literature, but social quality of life was lower in allotment gardeners. Regression analysis showed that time spent on the allotment during summer predicted eudaimonic wellbeing. This relationship was fully mediated by feelings of connectedness to nature. A relationship was observed between spending time on the allotment and preference for solitude. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative data: allotments provided a space of one’s own, meaningful activity, increased feelings of connectedness, and improved physical and mental health. The results suggest that allotment gardening is associated with increased eudaimonic wellbeing, but not subjective wellbeing (also referred to as hedonic wellbeing). Furthermore, a mechanism through which allotment gardening enhances wellbeing is suggested: increased connectedness to nature. Limitations of the current study and clinical and research implications are discussed.

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Recent reports detail a rise in the practice of home food preservation in the United States due to economic woes, nutritional concerns, and increasing devotion to local food production.Home food preservation is the processing of foods in order to extend its shelf-life. Current common approaches to preserving foods at home include pressure canning, freezing, drying, water bath canning, and cellaring/storing. Local food production in four Kentucky counties were examined through in-depth qualitative interviews with home food preservation practitioners to yield a rural/urban comparison. Forty home food preservation practitioners were interviewed between Fall 2009 and Fall 2013. The primary question driving this project is what motivates those who grow gardens and practice home food preservation in an era of readily available, relatively cheap foodstuffs? Secondary questions include, how do the motivations of home food preservation practitioners compare in rural and urban areas? What are the links, if any, between home food preservation and environmental sustainability concerns in rural and urban areas? Each of these questions will be examined through a mixture of qualitative methods and a grounded theoretical approach. In-depth field interviews with 40 preservers, documentary filmmaking, and participant observation were conducted in two rural and two urban Kentucky counties. Interview transcripts were coded by themes, interpreted using hermeneutic analysis, and analyzed by grounded theory. Policy institutes could make gains from this research by building upon already existing community food practices. Agriculture extension agent could use these findings to inform their food preservation programs and improve safety recommendations.

Gardens do not grow without human interest; however, human interest is not sufficient to support a garden if soil quality is unsatisfactory. This study asked two questions about gardening in Muncie, Indiana, USA: (1) how interested are residents in gardening? (2) how well can residents garden, based upon selected soil properties? Mailed surveys and telephone calls addressed the first question. Fifty-eight percent of respondents indicated they gardened. Compared to non-gardeners, gardeners rated their soil quality higher, modified soil more comprehensively, and were more interested in helping others garden. Survey response bias and non-response bias occurred. Soil analysis addressed the second question. Soil pH and soil organic matter were satisfactory for gardening. Soil Pb levels were above the federal threshold of 1,200 mg kg-1 in only three (5%) sampling locations. More than adequate, and at times excessive, levels of P and K were found. This thesis includes recommendations for future research. / Soil and gardening in urban environments -- Muncie residents are interested in gardening -- Muncie soil is suitable for gardening. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Lehrlinge des Berufs Gärtner/in erhalten Einblick in die Lehrgänge der überbetrieblichen Ausbildung der Abteilung Gartenbau in Dresden-Pillnitz. Informationsfaltblatt/-flyer

The major focus of this study is to identify the potentials and obstacles involved in establishing a permaculture in an existing suburban community in Muncie, Indiana.Permaculture is, briefly, a design concept of human settlements which strives to bring about an attitude of ecology and humanity in society as a whole. The physical of the earth by involving design stresses energy conservation and production of renewable natural resources, ecological food production techniques, and the recovery of a genuine sense of community and a sense of the sacredness of the earth by involving people with people and people with the landscape.The First Presbyterian Church site and congregation in Muncie has been chosen for this study. A permaculture proposal has been developed for and presented to the community. Initial reactions to this proposal have been obtained in order to identify the potentials and obstaclespresent toward implementing the permaculture proposal in this unique suburban setting. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The thesis presents an exploration into the relationship between food and planning in Helsinki and Stockholm. It looks at the top-down side of planning and the bottom-up side of urban gardening to investigate how food and urban gardening are taken into consideration in the official planning; how two urban gardening initiatives, Dodo's Kääntöpöytä and Trädgård på spåret, are involved in shaping their city; and what the relationship between the two sides is. The study is qualitative and uses case study approach, netnography, interviews, questionnaires, planning documents, and observation to answer the research questions. The literature review includes food systems and planning, urban agriculture, and planning theory on public participation, urban forms and sustainability. Urban food planning cannot be said to exist in either city yet, but Helsinki has a relatively recent strategy that aims to improve the food system and accommodate more urban gardening, and urban gardening is increasingly allowed in both cities. The gardening organisations, Dodo and Trädgård på spåret, are involved in planning in different ways, but both wish to promote urban gardening as a sustainable strategy. The relationship between the two sides is generally positive, and both initiatives are in line with their city's goal of becoming more sustainable.

Urban agriculture (UA) is an increasingly popular land use concept emerging in industrialized nations of the world. Although the phenomenon of UA is a common and well-documented form of food production in developing nations of the global south as well as in North America historically, only a small but growing body of literature exists that discusses UA implementation practices in a North American context today. The purpose of this research was to determine what factors contribute to successful planning and implementation of UA in North American communities. The following questions were addressed: What factors contribute to successful planning and implementation of UA? What stakeholders were most and/or least enabling in achieving success? How do UA projects demonstrate success, and how can these factors be used as a guide for future implementations of agriculture in urban environments? Additionally, how could GIS be employed to aid in spatial decision support for UA planning? Two North American cases (one in Ontario, Canada, and one in Colorado, USA) were analyzed through open-ended, semi-structured interviews, observations, and other data sources. This study involved the researcher’s direct participation with a newly-formed community garden group and the Community Garden Council of Waterloo Region. Findings of this study demonstrate that successful UA planning and implementation is not only the result of several factors and multiple stakeholder involvement, but also that UA—to be successful—should comprise a socially relevant, economically resilient, and environmentally sound system of production.