​Community gardens, defined as a single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people, are becoming increasingly popular and widespread, especially in urban environments where there is less available space. In interviews with gardeners, researchers found that gardeners “look to their garden as an opportunity for restoration and stress relief as well as social interaction” (Gross, 2018). For many older people, gardening provides a great opportunity for them to increase their levels of sociability. Unlike domestic gardening, horticultural therapy programs (mentioned in the Mental Benefits of Gardening) often take place in community gardens or allotments, as the purpose of therapeutic gardening projects is to provide support to people. The effectiveness of these programs is measured by the subjective outcomes of participants instead of quantitative data on their behavior or mood. Gardening provides these people with a space to go to everyday to talk to people, which can have a significant impact on their recovery experience.​ Additionally, community gardens give local residents the chance to actively serve their local community by donating harvest or by improving the local environment. In some cases, community gardens “directly address social problems such as anti-social behavior” (Gross, 2018). Gardens in urban areas have even been found to be positively correlated with lower crime rates. Therefore, along with its physical and mental health benefits, gardening also allows people to socialize and engage with the community.