Reserach & Collaboration
Millions of people in Sweden already grow plants and food. In gardens, allotments and residential areas, knowledge about nature, biodiversity, food production and sustainable gardening is developed every day. Through research, surveys and citizen science, Fritidsodlarna aims to gather people’s experiences and observations to contribute to new knowledge about plant health, biodiversity and sustainable communities.
Together with researchers, member organisations and gardeners, we work to make people’s everyday gardening experiences a resource for research, public education and societal development.
Together, we build knowledge for the future of gardening
Leisure gardening is connected to many of the major challenges facing society in the future. Climate adaptation, biodiversity, plant health, soil health and sustainable food production are all areas where more knowledge is needed.
Fritidsodlarna (Swedish Leasiure Gardening Association) brings together member organisations, researchers, students and other stakeholders who want to contribute to developing knowledge about gardening in people’s everyday lives.
Through collaboration, student theses, research projects and citizen science, we aim to strengthen knowledge about the importance of leisure gardening for people, nature and society.
Priority areas for knowledge development
Through dialogue with our member organisations, four areas have been identified as particularly important for future research and knowledge development:
- Climate adaptation and resilient growing systems
- Soil health and sustainable resource systems
- Biodiversity, seeds and genetic resources
- Plant protection, plant diseases and invasive species
Curren project
Here you can find current research projects, surveys and collaborations in which the leisure gardening movement contributes to greater knowledge. You can get involved by reporting observations, responding to surveys, participating in citizen science or reporting plant pests.
Survey mapping pyralid contamination
For several years, leisure gardeners across Sweden have reported damage to tomatoes, chilli peppers, beans and other sensitive plants suspected to be linked to pyralid contamination.
Citizen science on quarantine pests
Gardeners and gardening enthusiasts are helping researchers detect threats to plants at an early stage by reporting observations and contributing to increased knowledge about plant health.
Survey on growing media and compost
Together with researchers, we are investigating how leisure gardeners handle and store soil, compost and growing media to contribute to greater knowledge about safe and sustainable gardening.
Explore the questions of the future with Fritidsodlarna
How can leisure gardening contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity or sustainable food systems?
Fritidsodlarna is looking for students who want to explore questions at the intersection of gardening, people, nature and societal development.
Through our member organisations, projects and networks, you will have the opportunity to work with real-world questions and contribute to new knowledge in a growing field of research.
Would you like to collaborate with us?
We welcome collaboration with researchers, public authorities, organisations and students who want to develop knowledge and projects related to sustainable gardening and societal benefits.
Examples of collaboration include:
- Research projects
- Surveys and data collection
- Student theses
- Citizen science
- Public education and knowledge dissemination