Gardens That Can Save the World

Garden designer Delamain debuts with an enlightening survey of innovative gardens that support communities around the globe. Arguing that “solutions to our greatest challenges lie in the simple, ancient act of making gardens,” she demonstrates how green spaces are not only good for the planet but also empower people, provide nourishment, and boost mental health. At the Glasshouse Botanics, a garden at East Sutton Prison in the U.K., women nearing the end of their sentence receive horticultural training and employment opportunities. Working with plants, Delamain says, “restores a sense of human dignity and allows women to begin life anew.” Alla Olkhovska’s garden in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has been a “constant source of hope” amid war, offering both beauty and vital income to Olkhovska, who sells her flower seeds and photographs online. Similarly, the gardening initiative Seeds of Resilience brings vegetable crops as well as hope and agency to war-torn communities in Gaza. In Kurdistan, community gardens offer refugees a sense of place after fleeing their home countries. Filled with beautiful photos and inspiring stories, this is a moving testament to the power of gardens to change lives. (Apr.)