Study to examine benefits of time spent in gardens

Researchers are exploring how time spent in gardens influences wellbeing

People are being asked to spend time in their gardens as part of a study into how the activity influences their health and wellbeing.

The community science project is being run by PhD researcher Bethany Harries in collaboration with University of Surrey and RHS Wisley.

The RHS is developing a blueprint to help schools and hospitals to design outdoor spaces to maximise wellbeing.

Participants can join in from any garden space they have access to or any RHS garden, including the Wellbeing Garden at RHS Wisley.

One of the early studies looked at sight, sound, touch and emotional responses to the garden

The RHS said the study would take place this summer and the blueprint project was part of a five-year sustainability strategy, with the final blueprint expected in 2025.

The deadline for signing up is 20 May.

Participants will need access to a smartphone or tablet and a garden space. They will be asked to spend 20 minutes in a garden each week for six weeks.

Each will be emailed a link with instructions to complete while in the garden and should aim to complete each activity one week apart.

The University of Surrey said all information collected will be anonymous, data collected will be analysed and results will be included in a research report.

The aim is to help schools and hospitals design outdoor spaces to maximise wellbeing

The Wellbeing Garden opened in 2021 at RHS Hilltop - Home of Gardening Science building, which is the UK’s first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence.

But data gathering and research there started in earnest when Ms Harries began her doctorate in 2022, a RHS spokesperson said.

That work included an exploratory study to explore emotional reactions to the garden.

A further study questioned participants about how sight, sound, touch and emotional state were impacted by different design and feature elements of the space.

A blueprint for designing open spaces is expected next year