Children’s Environments 12(2), June 1995
Childhood's Garden: Memory and Meaning of
Gardens
Mark Francis
University of California, Davis
Citation: Francis, Mark. (1995). “Childhood’s Garden: Memory and Meaning of
Gardens.” Children’s Environments 12(2): 1-16. Retrieved [date] from
http:/ / www.colorado.edu/ journals/ cye/ .
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Abstract
This article probes some of the conceptual meanings people attach to gardens, based on
memories and meanings of childhood gardens. The role of gardens in child development and
place attachment is briefly suggested. The results of interviews with gardeners in California
and Norway are used to illustrate different meanings people attach to childhood gardens.
Descriptions of favorite places in remembered childhood gardens are used to identify
common qualities. Loss and grieving for childhood memories of gardens is discussed as an
issue in adulthood. The article concludes with some of the design, planning and
management issues facing the future gardens of childhood, including how to restore
wildness in backyards.
Keywords: children , gardens, gardening , meaning , memories, naturalistic
places, ecological gardens, planning and design for children's gardens
© 1995 Children, Youth and Environments