With the global pandemic ever-present, the vast majority of our population is still in isolation. In response, many are questioning how to bring the outside in—and perhaps for more than just aesthetics. A few weeks ago, we spoke with landscape designer Lily Kwong over Instagram Live and she teased an initiative that would answer that question. Since, her practice Studio Lily Kwong launched an online platform called “Freedom Gardens.”
Inspired by the “Victory Gardens” initiative after World War II, which produced 40 percent of the United States’ produce (about 9-10 million tons), “Freedom Gardens” is drawing parallels in this moment of global crisis. Today, the new platform aims to help each person grow thriving edible gardens at home, supporting both their physical and mental health.
Courtesy of Studio Lily Kwong.
Through this initiative, anyone can follow the Instagram initiative to learn tips and tricks, and experiment through how-to guides, urban farming resources, and the team’s personal experiences. With detailed guides and helpful illustrations by Lily Tagiuri, the platform guides you step-by-step and is just as interesting for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Kwong believes gardening can be an incredible tool at a time like this, and a way to distance ourselves from an increasingly precarious and inequitable global food system.
Courtesy of Studio Lily Kwong.
“As we cherish our physical and mental health now more than ever, at-home gardens can be an incredible resource for both nutrition and physical well-being,” she said. “I hope the future sees many more at-home gardens, and you can follow along with us and learn how to grow your own at Freedom Gardens.”
Courtesy of Studio Lily Kwong.
