The (Snow) Garden as a Unique Space for Human–Nature Relations
This chapter considers the domestic garden both in its snow-free and snow-covered forms as a unique space for human–nature relations. While there has been abundant research on the cultural, historical, social and horticultural aspects of private gardens, the time of garden ‘inactivity’ in winter is...
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| Format: | Book Part |
| Language: | English |
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Palgrave Macmillan
2023
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| Online Access: | https://research.ulapland.fi/fi/publications/85171017-b442-4914-b39a-090ce79e2500 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36445-7_6 |
| Summary: | This chapter considers the domestic garden both in its snow-free and snow-covered forms as a unique space for human–nature relations. While there has been abundant research on the cultural, historical, social and horticultural aspects of private gardens, the time of garden ‘inactivity’ in winter is scarcely mentioned in contemporary literature. The active gardener at the Arctic Circle in Finland, however, does not become inactive during long winters. On the contrary, for six months or so, snow and ice become the target of regular outdoor activity on private premises. For the homeowner, who is in focus of this chapter, snow work (lumityö in Finnish) allows for physical exercise and cultural engagement. Snow work thus fulfills a variety of functions in the Arctic everyday, and while it can be minimized through hiring snow removal services, it can never be completely avoided. This chapter considers the domestic garden both in its snow-free and snow-covered forms as a unique space for human–nature relations. While there has been abundant research on the cultural, historical, social and horticultural aspects of private gardens, the time of garden ‘inactivity’ in winter is scarcely mentioned in contemporary literature. The active gardener at the Arctic Circle in Finland, however, does not become inactive during long winters. On the contrary, for six months or so, snow and ice become the target of regular outdoor activity on private premises. For the homeowner, who is in focus of this chapter, snow work (lumityö in Finnish) allows for physical exercise and cultural engagement. Snow work thus fulfills a variety of functions in the Arctic everyday, and while it can be minimized through hiring snow removal services, it can never be completely avoided. |
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