The lived experience of gardening among five well older women in suburbia

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of leisure gardening among five well older women in suburbia. A descriptive phenomenological methodology was used. Five women 65–75 years of age, who were retired, maintained their own homes, and considered themselves lifetime leisure gardeners comprised the purposefully selected sample. In-depth interviews were conducted, audio taped, and transcribed. Colaizzi's data analysis method was used. Four themes emerged: “Gardening is Challenge and Work,” “Gardening is Connection” (sub-themes: “Gardening is connection to friends and family,” “Gardening is connection to past memories and relationships,” and “Gardening is connection to nature”), “Gardening is Continuous Learning,” and “Gardening is Sensory and Aesthetic Experience.” The phenomenon of the lived experience of leisure gardening is analogous to the relationship between a spider and the web that links its internal and external environments, providing support over a lifetime. The gardening experience, an evolving lifelong process, sustains individuals in their cognitive and spiritual development.