Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record1996·United States

Benefits of Community Gardening on Quality-of-Life Issues

Tina M. Waliczek, Richard H. Mattson, Jayne M. Zajicek

Journal of Environmental Horticulture

Urban Farm DB summary

A nationwide survey of community gardeners in the United States investigated the relationship between community gardens and quality-of-life perceptions, based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The study found that race, gender, and city size influenced perceptions, with significant differences observed across racial/ethnic divisions and between gardeners in Los Angeles and New York. Community gardens were particularly important to African-American and Hispanic gardeners, and while men and women rated overall benefits similarly, women valued saving money and garden beauty more highly.