Community Gardens and the Cultivation of Social Capital

Community gardens cultivate social capital by producing the bonding, bridging, and linking relationships that foster individual and collective well-being.
By Chiara D’Amore (Dr.), Loni Cohen, Justin Chen, Paige Owen, Calvin Ball (Dr.)
Current Opinion in Psychology
21 August 2025
Abstract
Community gardens are shared green spaces that provide more than produce—they foster psychological resilience, social connectedness, and civic engagement. This article synthesizes findings from 50 recent studies on community gardens, applying social capital theory to examine their multifaceted social benefits. Through the mechanisms of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital, community gardens enhance psychological well-being, promote inclusive social networks, and cultivate empathy and civic participation. Drawing on both empirical literature and the authors’ community-based experiences, the article underscores the potential of community gardens to support individual wellness and community resilience.
Introduction
We are in a period of societal transformation marked by escalating crises and fragmentation including widespread social isolation, polarization and distrust, ecological and public health crises, and the erosion of civic infrastructure. Cultivating connections, equity, and resilience is imperative, and community gardens are local spaces that meet these needs. Community gardens are created to collaboratively achieve specific goals of the community in which they are situated. Ranging from informal neighborhood produce plots to formal campus teaching gardens, these shared places provide personal, social, and ecological benefits essential to thriving communities.
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Source: https://cityfarmer.info/community-gardens-and-the-cultivation-of-social-capital/
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