You take gardening for granted.

You take gardening for granted, since everyone either gardens or knows someone who does. But, have you ever wondered how gardening started? And how it developed into the vegetable and flower gardens we know today? Here is a concise history of cultivating as the centuries progressed.

Ancient Gardening

 The oldest type of gardening is forest gardening. This is an ancient type of food gardening. When food-producing vines and trees were discovered, they began to be grown in groups for easy access to food. These gardens evolved into more elaborate ornamental gardens. They were only for the wealthier members of society.

Gardening in the Middle Ages

Ornamental gardening began to disappear somewhat during the Middle Ages. After the fall of the Roman Empire, most gardens were designed to grow herbs. And other plants for medicine. Many of these gardens were around churchyards. Religious communities had nurseries to supply both the clinic and the kitchen.

Later, some Europeans began to cultivate gardens for both food and beauty. It was now that lawns were planted. And raised flower beds were used to decorate the surrounding grounds.

Many gardens began to develop around a central point, with hedges and plants built around the central monument or sculpture.

Photo by Nikolett Emmert on Unsplash 

Elizabethan Cottage Gardens

Now, fruit and herb allotments were very popular. Because so many people died during the plague of the Black Death. The land was more plentiful and even the poorest worker could have a small allotment garden. Workers kept a small plot of land to put their chickens and pigs on and grow some food.

18th Century Informal Gardens

Over time, gardens began to take on a more natural and informal appearance. Walls and hedges gave way to rolling hills and the absence of strict borders. English gardens of this period often contained a body of water surrounded by a few trees, flowers. And other grasses or food plants.

Later, it became fashionable to try to fit as many flowers as possible into a tiny space. These so-called “gardenesque” plots included rock gardens.

Gardening has evolved and changed over the centuries. Sometimes gardens were very formal and architectural in character. While other times, their layout was more free and meandering. Sometimes gardens were strictly for the production of food. While other times they were purely ornamental. And intended to provide pleasure to the observer.

As you can see, gardening has been popular among humans for most of the history. Although the particular styles and methods have changed over the years, the basic principles remain the same. People want to have a source of plants closes to where they live for convenience. Often it is to have easier access to food. But sometimes it is to have a beautiful place near the house. To walk around and enjoy the sights and smells of nature.