2. Gardening & the garden
Gardening and as an extension to that the appreciation of gardens is a strong
theme in New Zealand. As a Kiwi who as lived for many years away from the
country I had forgotten the importance of gardening to the people of New
Zealand. Of course it is not surprising given the fertile nature of the soil of this
country. My first reminder of this was in Hamilton when I saw the great public
gardens. I also became aware during my 2nd placement that many of the
residence identified as been gardeners. The facility provided them with an
opportunity to continue with this occupation. During my fieldwork placement in
New Plymouth I was privileged to visit homes as part of the community setting.
Again I was struck by the gardens and the clients who expressed there love of
gardening and gardens. This year my move to Dunedin has exposed me to even
more aspects of gardening in New Zealand. There is a community garden up the
road, a community school community garden which is part of the home
economic and a community herb garden as part of the Dunedin Botanical
gardens. This great public garden are used by lots of people everyday, it is a short
cut to the university from North Dunedin, it is a place to feed the ducks, play in
the park, stroll , sit in the sun, admire the view, have a cup of tea, visit the various
hot houses, look at the Leith, listen to music the list goes on. They are a hive of
occupations, an inspiration for gardeners and an important part of the local
community.
3. Selwyn Wilson Carlie Nursing Home raised gardens.
Image retrieved from
http://www.selwyncare.org.nz/112/Rest-
Home-Care
4. Access to gardening is important to allow people
to continue to identify as a gardener
Retrieved from greenthumbs.cedwvu.org
5. These kinds of garden beds help people to be
gardeners.
Retrieved from ucanr.org
6. Others have embraced recycling as part of their
gardening ethos
Retrieved from
balconyofdreams.blogspot.com
7. Gardening for many people has to do with food
production and contributing to community.
Image retrieved from
http://dannsbay.37southnz.com/photos-from-
raised-garden-beds/
8. This help them to continue in roles that are part
of who they have been throughout their lives.
Image retrieved from
http://dannsbay.37southnz.com/photos-from-
raised-garden-beds/
9. Dunedin North Intermediate. Image by Mary Wicks
I was considering this when I noticed this garden in the
local school. Increasingly in New Zealand gardens are
been established in schools. I bet many future gardeners
are born out of this movement
10. North Dunedin Intermediate School raised kitchen
garden. Image by Mary Wicks
Gardeners are now not only part of the home
environment but every community needs a garden
established and looked after by enthusiastic gardeners
who are happy to contribute. In this case a school
community.
11. Raised beds with herbs Dunedin North Intermediate.
Image by Mary Wicks
This garden is part the home economics classes, the
pupils garden then they cook.
15. It is on the top field of the local
primary school.
16. “Researchers working in the field of social and
therapeutic horticulture are frequently asked
what it is about gardening projects that is
beneficial. Summarising the themes
mentioned above a brief answer could be that
these projects provide an interrelated set of
activities that have purpose and coherence;
they take place within a garden space that has
been created and defined; they enable the
restorative experience through their setting in
a natural environment and they promote social
inclusion through the key dimensions of social
interaction, production, consumption and
political engagement “
Sempik & Aldridge (2004) Social and
Therapeutic Horticulture in the UK: the
Growing Together Study
Loughborough University, Loughborough,
Leicestershire
21. Gardens are a great place to relax. Image by Mary
Wicks
This north facing hill in the Botanical Garden is very popular as it
is real sun trap and the view of the rest of the garden and out
over the city to the far hills is lovely.
22. Enjoying the gardens. Image by Mary Wicks
This is a great leisure activity and an inspiration for many
gardens. This part of the Botanical garden uses lots of
rock garden among the tall pines on the lower slopes of
the north facing hill.
23. “Solitude in the presence of natural
beauty and grandeur is the cradle of
thoughts and aspirations which are
not only good for the individual, but
which society could ill do without.”
John Stuart Mill, Principles of Political Economy (1848)
