what is a garden

The network diagram delves into the intricate relationship between spaces and vegetation, both in terms of physical and societal factors. The institutional spaces of a church and a school offer a contrast, with regular maintenance in the front yard of the church and more freedom in the growth of the backyard, while the farm at the school is under direct control of the students and the fruiting trees are utilized by the church for its fruits. In residential spaces, the front yard typically features a variety of flowering and fruiting species, some of which are grown in accordance with religious beliefs, and are used directly by the household.

The idea of care and cultivation is often gendered, with women taking on these roles in both institutional and residential spaces, and the garden becoming a job or hobby respectively. Spaces without a resident on the site exhibit a different trend, with no control expressed on the growth, but the fruiting is collected regularly. The collection of fruit on tall trees is typically done by men, regardless of the space. The vegetation that is not under physical control in these spaces is often home to a variety of insects, mosquitoes, reptiles, and birds.

The network map illustrates the interdependency of humans on vegetation in different spaces used for various purposes, and how vegetation also creates conducive conditions for non-human species to inhabit, indirectly fostering coexistence between humans and non-human species. Overall, the network map sheds light on the way in which gardens form their own identities, with controlled and uncontrolled growth coexisting, prompting the question of what constitutes a garden.