Natural environments provide restoration for mental fatigue and facilitate social contact. The characteristics “being away”, “fascination”, “coherence” and “compatibility” prove to be restorative. However, the effect has been analysed in cross-sectional studies in most research settings so far. In this study, an explorative approach links restoration with motivational aspects of a community gardening project, using measures at three different times. During 16 months the process of perceived restorativeness in a temporary intercultural garden project in Zürich, Switzerland, gets analysed. 18 participants, using a piece of land for gardening, participated in the research study. Perceived restorativeness shows some stability over time, even though the physical appearance changed substantially. Motivations to participate in the project change over time. Results suggest that mediating factors such as meaning of place or familiarity need to be focused in future when analysing restoration. The potential of intercultural gardening providing a valuable source for community processes and activation is discussed. Implications for further research, especially longitudinal studies to consider the effect of repeated restorative experiences, are given.