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Urban residential yards collectively have a significant influence on urban ecosystem conditions. The growing body of research examining residential yards has explored landscaping preferences, presence of different landscape styles, general gardening activity, and the extent and management of lawn grass. To date home-based edible gardens have received little attention within this literature, while the urban agriculture literature that has primarily focused on community garden space, yet many households grown fruits and vegetables at home. This study explores residential (i.e. home-based) edible gardens in relation to household characteristics from the perspective of edible gardens representing one way urban households’ can allocate resources in their yard, among an array of different land covers and activities. Specifically, we examined basic characteristics of home-based edible gardens and identified socio-demographic and property-level factors associated with presence of those gardens in four neighborhoods within the City of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). Our statistical analysis drew on a household survey that inquired about edible garden presence, basic characteristics of edible gardens, and household characteristics. We found that just over half of survey respondents tend a home-based edible garden, with approximately one-third of growers starting their edible garden within the last five year. Households living in fully-detached, owner-occupied houses on larger lots were more likely to have edible gardens. There were also differences in participation by ethnocultural origin and residency length. Unlike many other residential landscaping features and activities, income was not significantly related to edible garden presence, suggesting the participation barriers and benefits associated with edible gardens may different from other residential landscaping activities.

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