A team of researchers led by the University of Aberdeen has found that private gardens played a vital role in supporting people's well-being during the UK's first Covid-19 lockdown, when access to public green spaces was significantly restricted.

The study, which is published in PLOS Oneanalysed thousands of posts on Twitter (now X) to understand how people used and talked about their gardens during the Covid-19 crisis. In the Greater London study area, mentions of garden use increased more than fivefold compared with the previous year, with users far more likely to describe their gardens as places for socialising, relaxation and leisure. References to mental well-being also rose sharply-from around 4% of posts before lockdown to approximately 20% during lockdown.

The research team highlighted how private gardens became important everyday sanctuaries that helped people cope with social isolation, stress and restricted mobility. National surveys conducted at the same time showed a marked decline in mental well-being across the UK, underscoring the role that access to nature played in people's resilience during the crisis.

A separate report found that around 82% of UK residents with access to a private garden used it at least weekly during the first lockdown, illustrating the significance of these spaces for day-to-day life.

Dr Robert Feller, who carried out the study as part of his PhD in the School of Biological Sciences, said: "The findings are timely given ongoing policy discussions about the role of nature in supporting public health.

"Using social media posts shared during the first lockdown, this study captures vivid snapshots of daily life: people working outdoors, chatting with family, gardening, watching birds, or simply stepping outside to clear their head after a stressful day. Together, these insights reveal the wide range of ways people used their gardens-and the emotional and psychological support these spaces provided.

"Initiatives such as Scotland's Green Health Partnerships promote the use of natural environments to enhance physical and mental well-being, while the RHS State of Gardening Report 2025 showed that 77% of gardeners say gardening benefits their mental health. Our research adds further evidence that private gardens can act as crucial everyday spaces for well-being.

"The study also raises the issue of unequal access to private outdoor space, which may have contributed to disparities in people's lockdown experiences. Going forward, recognising the value of gardens -including their contribution to mental well-being-could help inform future urban planning, housing design, and public health strategies aimed at strengthening community resilience and improving people's connection with nature in cities."

Notes for editors

The research was carried out by Dr Robert Feller as part of his PhD at the University of Aberdeen, supervised by an international team working across ecology, conservation, education, and environmental social science. Dr Feller is now at the University of Greifswald in Germany. His supervisory team included Professor Rene van der Wal (now at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Professor David Burslem (University of Aberdeen), Dr Claire Narraway (Earthwatch Europe), Professor Laura Colucci-Gray (University of Edinburgh), and Dr Toos van Noordwijk (formerly Earthwatch, now Director of Wij.land in the Netherlands).

The study was supported by a studentship jointly funded by the University of Aberdeen and Earthwatch Europe.

Issued by

The Communications Team

Directorate of External Relations,

University of Aberdeen,

King's College,

Aberdeen

Contact

Laura Graham

Issued on

16 April 2026