Pia Pera's Evergreen Garden Philosophy Revisited
On the tenth anniversary of Pia Pera's death in 2026, her garden writing is reexamined through Michael Pollan's concept of gardening as coexistence. Pera (1956-2016) redefined the garden as an "orto-giardino" (kitchen garden), insisting a garden must produce food. Her work advocates regenerative agriculture as a necessary step toward personal well-being and biodiversity.
Key facts
- Pia Pera died in 2016
- Tenth anniversary is in 2026
- Michael Pollan's book 'Second Nature: A Gardener's Education' published by Grove Press in 1991
- Pera called her garden an 'orto-giardino'
- Quote: 'Un giardino dove non si trovi nulla da mangiare è per me inconcepibile' from 'Il giardino che vorrei'
- Pollan describes gardening as coexistence between humans and nature
- Gardening increases biodiversity according to Pollan
- Regenerative agriculture is presented as necessary
Entities
Artists
- Pia Pera
Institutions
- Grove Press