Almost a hundred years of farmers’ homegardens in Eastern Tyrol, Austria – an assessment of dynamics based upon locally relevant characteristics

BACKGROUND: Farmers' homegardens (FHGs) in Eastern Tyrol have undergone notable changes over the past century. We examined how traditional farmers' homegardens (TFHGs, as described by contemporary witnesses for 1930-1960) compare with FHGs at data collection point 1 in 1998 & 1999 (DCP-1) and data collection point 2 in 2018 & 2019 (DCP-2). METHODS: Locally relevant TFHG characteristics were identified through semi-structured interviews with contemporary witnesses (n = 27) conducted in 1998 & 1999 regarding the period from 1930 to 1960. These characteristics were then used to compare paired FHGs (n = 55) across DCP-1 and DCP-2 using paired t-tests and two sided McNemar's tests, alongside qualitative comparisons with TFHGs. RESULTS: TFHGs were very small (max. 20 m²), clearly demarcated, near the farmhouse, managed manually by women with simple tools, and focused on medicinal, aromatic, perfumed and ritual plants; they were considered irrelevant to food security, food diversity, or food quality, and relied on community-sourced plant material. Only a few plant taxa and individuals were reported to be cultivated. By DCP-1/DCP-2, the 55 FHGs studied had a clear demarcation and proximity (1-60 m) to the farmhouse; sizes expanded from small TFHGs to up to 220 m² (mean 74 m² in DCP-1; 76 m² in DCP-2). Unproductive areas appeared in DCP-1 and increased in DCP-2. Infrastructure such as cold frames, greenhouses, water taps, and decorative/recreational items was added in DCP-1; DCP-2 saw greater use of power tools and elevated beds. While the number of cultivated plant taxa and individuals reported for the TFHGs has increased, plant occurrence per FHG has remained stable in DCP-1 and DCP-2 (mean 43; DCP-1 range 15-113; DCP-2 range 15-74), with total taxa similar (360 vs. 355) and food plants the most abundant category; however, mean individual abundance per FHG declined from 773 to 627. Gardeners sourced some plant material locally but increasingly bought seeds and plants from markets. Of key TFHG plants, chives and lettuce persisted widely, while chamomile and peony were infrequent. Traditionally arable field vegetables were absent in TFHGs but present in FHGs; cabbage and potatoes were common and abundant, whereas turnips and broad beans were rare. By DCP-2, eight of the FHGs studied in DCP-1 had been abandoned (e.g. converted into a car park), while a further 14 FHGs were no longer visible as discrete units, having been merged with meadows, orchards, or other farm structures. CONCLUSIONS: FHGs combine long-term system consistency with high flexibility, shifting from meeting necessity (TFHGs) toward needs and wants, including quality food and gardening pleasure (DCP-1), and increasingly reflecting personal circumstances as seen in the FHG management (DCP-2; e.g., lawns, sealed surfaces, elevated beds). These changes indicate dynamic adaptation without a turn to cash-crop specialization.