STUDY EVALUATES FRONT GARDENS

The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has commissioned a new study to understand how front gardens impact both homeowners and passers-by.



Beginning this spring, the research is part of the Society's Greening Grey Britain campaign to encourage the nation to transform grey areas into living planted spaces.  


To undertake the research, RHS scientists have joined academics from the University of Sheffield and the University of Virginia (USA), employing a PhD student.

A major objective will be to determine how gardening affects the mood and psychological health of people who have not gardened before.  Plans to help measure this include greening paved over front gardens.  The project will also address the societal value of gardens by collating evidence of enhanced communication and engagement between garden owners, neighbours and passers-by.

In the USA, the work will parallel related initiatives with other PhDs in that country.

Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections, said, 'We are seeking evidence that will help us make the case for gardening to local and national government, supporting what many of us instinctively know - that green spaces have positive impacts on our health and wellbeing.'


See also; https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=879