RESEARCH

Understanding Motivations for Gardening Using a Qualitative General Inductive Approach

This qualitative study explored gardening motivations across genders and generations using surveys from 177 participants aged 7 to 94. The study identified key themes like therapeutic benefits, food availability, aesthetics, and social interaction, revealing that gardening provides diverse value to people of all ages.

Program Types: Social, Therapeutic, Vocational

Population Groups: Children/Youth, General Population, Older Adults/Seniors

Setting or Context: Homes/Private Residences

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

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy

Type of Activity: Edible Plant Gardening, Outdoor Gardening, Sensory Stimulation

Evidence Type: Anecdotal Evidence/Testimonials, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

Summary

This study used a qualitative general inductive approach to explore motivations for gardening among different genders and generations. The researchers collected surveys from 177 individuals aged 7 to 94 years old, asking open-ended questions about why they garden and what gardening means to them. Responses were categorized into themes with interrater reliability assessed using intraclass correlation.

The analysis identified eight main themes of gardening motivations: therapeutic (92% of respondents), food availability/health/nutrition (42%), aesthetics (28%), social interaction, economics, environmental benefits, nostalgia, and personal productivity. Statistical comparisons found that more males gardened for food/health/nutrition and nostalgia reasons, while more females gardened for personal productivity. No significant differences were found between age groups, suggesting gardeners across generations have similar motivations. The researchers note that the themes of personal productivity and nostalgia had not emerged in previous studies on gardening motivations.

Link

McFarland, A., Waliczek, T.M., Etheredge, C. et al. (2018). Understanding motivations for gardening using a qualitative general inductive approach, HortTechnology, 28(3), 289-295.

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