Older Gardeners as Keepers of the Earth

ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: OLDER GARDENERS AS KEEPERS OF THE EARTH: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY Carole Staley Collins, Doctor of Philosophy, 2007 Dissertation directed by: Professor Francine H. Hultgren Department of Education Policy and Leadership This... More

ABSTRACT
Title of Dissertation: OLDER GARDENERS AS KEEPERS OF THE EARTH:
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
Carole Staley Collins, Doctor of Philosophy, 2007
Dissertation directed by: Professor Francine H.
Hultgren
Department of Education Policy and Leadership
This study explores what the lived experience of gardening is like for older,
community-dwelling gardeners as it is uncovered through conversations, garden visits,
and written notes from seven older gardeners.
Over a two-year sequence, multiple indepth individual conversations at the homes of the co-researcher participants unearth
themes reflective of their gardening lives.
Drawn forward by the methodology of
hermeneutic phenomenology, the rich text of our dialogue mingles like compost and
becomes something newly created that shows their passion for interacting with plants and
living habitats.

Using the existentials of lived place, lived body, lived time and lived relation we
dig into how gardening is lived.
Home and volunteer places Less