Aviva Directory » Sports & Recreation » Gardening

Gardening is the practice of nurturing plants within a defined space to harvest or enjoy their edible or ornamental parts.

Gardening has evolved from a necessity to a relaxing hobby and artistic expression.

Gardening dates back at least as far as 12,000 BC. Early gardens were utilitarian, providing food and medicinal plants. Ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China, cultivated gardens for practical and aesthetic purposes. During the Renaissance period, ornamental gardens became popular in Europe, with elaborate designs reflecting wealth and status.

Over the years, gardening techniques and plant varieties have diversified, influenced by cultural exchanges and advancements in horticulture. Today, gardening is practiced for practical, aesthetic, recreational, and artistic purposes.

It can be challenging to differentiate gardening from farming, as both involve cultivating plants. However, commercial farming is a large-scale operation to produce crops or raise livestock for economic gain. It requires extensive knowledge, planning, and specialized equipment for maximum productivity. In contrast, gardening is generally a smaller-scale, personal activity focused on growing plants for personal consumption or enjoyment. Gardening emphasizes sustainability and self-sufficiency, while commercial farming prioritizes efficiency and profit.

Subsistence farming is more similar to gardening since both are practiced on a smaller scale. Subsistence farming aims to provide enough food for the farmer's family or community, generally involving traditional, low-tech methods and a variety of crops to ensure food security.

Depending on the region or culture, subsistence farming may be referred to as gardening, since the differences are mainly in the intent. While subsistence farming is often a necessity in rural areas of developing countries, gardening is commonly a choice in urban and suburban settings.

I grew up on a farm in Michigan. My father farmed several 4-acre sections, usually growing a single crop, although that crop would vary from year to year. My mother would plant a 1-acre parcel in a side yard, where she would plant a variety of vegetables and herbs, many of which were canned for use during the winter. My dad's crops were sold for cash, while the family ate my mom's crops. My dad used a tractor, while my mom used hand tools. His work was termed farming, while her's was gardening.

There are various types of gardens, differentiated by styles and methods. Flower gardens focus on ornamental plants and blooms, while vegetable gardens grow food crops for personal use, and herb gardens cultivate herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes. Prevalent in urban and suburban communities, community gardens are shared spaces where people grow plants collectively, or individually in assigned spaces.

Rock gardens utilize rocky terrain to create visually appealing landscapes, while water gardens feature aquatic plants and water features.

A large number of tools can be used in gardening. Some of the more common ones include hoes, rakes, trowels, pruners, and watering cans.

Pest control in gardening can be approached through several methods. Cultural control includes practices like crop rotation and the selection of pest-resistant varieties. Mechanical control can involve the use of physical barriers and the manual removal of pests. Biological control uses natural predators to manage pest populations, while the use of pesticides is a form of chemical control.

Gardening offers several physical, mental, and social benefits. The practice provides exercise and exposure to sunlight, which boosts vitamin D levels. It is generally accepted that gardening reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances cognitive function. Home gardening may also support biodiversity and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, by growing your own vegetables and other food crops, you can ensure the nutritional value of your food.

While many jurisdictions around the world encourage gardening, the practice is discouraged and restricted in others. Zoning laws might restrict where gardens can be placed, and those living in areas under the jurisdiction of a homeowner's association might face severe restrictions on garden aesthetics and maintenance. There may also be watering regulations, particularly in drought-prone areas, and there are prohibitions on growing certain invasive species. Oddly, some states and local jurisdictions have enacted ordinances regulating home gardening.

Gardening is a practice that sometimes blends art, science, and tradition. However, in other cases, it may be a strictly utilitarian practice.

This section of our guide focuses on gardening, and you will find several online gardening resources below. Retail sites should be placed in the appropriate Shopping & eCommerce, however.

Categories

Bonsai

Organic

Organizations & Associations

Plants & Flowers

 

 

Recommended Resources


Search for Gardening on Google or Bing