Gardening

Gardening has been a favorite activity throughout the world for thousands of years, but in the early twenty-first century has garnered even more attention from those interested in adopting a healthier diet or helping to reduce global warming. While gardening solves many practical issues, the hobby is viewed just as much as an art as it is a science.

The history of gardening can be traced to the Neolithic period, when humans began to settle in communities. Rather than foraging for all of their food, they collected seeds and wild plants and planted them closer to home, where, through trial and error, they developed the science of agriculture. The first cultivated plants were wheat, barley, peas, lentils, and in the Americas, corn, or maize. Societies later learned to cultivate grapes for wine and olives for oil. The Chinese developed agricultural processes to produce oranges, rice, and tea, while those native to Central America and Mexico grew the first chili peppers and avocados.

To bring water to thirsty crops, the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians developed primitive irrigation systems. The Romans expanded that technology by designing aqueducts and plumbing that allowed for public fountains. In the twenty-first century, large-scale modern farms as well as personal gardens and lawns are watered by irrigation systems such as sprinklers.

As developments allowed for more sophisticated gardens, humans brought aesthetic, intellectual and spiritual sensibilities to their labors. Buddhists in the Far East embraced the water garden as a place for spiritual nourishment. Christians from the Middle Ages developed meditation gardens or "Mary gardens," with flowers, trees and other plants that symbolized the Virgin Mary. Many plants took on special symbolism, such as roses, which were associated with love, passion, or youth.

While the most elaborate gardens belonged to aristocrats, commoners perfected the kitchen garden, cottage garden, and container gardening in their more modest quarters.

Gardening became a patriotic duty during World Wars I and II, when the US government and other countries rationed food supplies and asked their citizens to plant Victory gardens to aid the war effort. Millions of families grew their own food and also canned food for the soldiers.

First Lady Michelle Obama planted a garden soon after her husband's election as US president. Her efforts focused on the health benefits of fresh, organic produce. In addition to promoting organic gardening, she taught children how to cook, an activity that complements vegetable gardening.

Equipment

• Tiller (for breaking up sod; can be rented)
• Watering system (hose, sprinkler, can)
• Garden cart or wheelbarrow
• Compost container (or space for a compost pile)
• Greenhouse or cold frame (optional, for growing off-season)

Starting Seeds from Scratch

• Seed trays, empty milk cartons, or small pots
• Seed starter mix
• Vermiculite or other lightweight mix to cover seeds
• Greenhouse or cold frame, indoor plant growing lights, or an area in the home with good sunlight exposure
• Spray water bottle
• Seed

• Plastic wrap

General Outdoor Garden Materials

• Soil conditioners, such as peat moss, compost, manure, lime, horticultural sand or gravel
• Fencing or raised bed materials
• Netting (to keep birds off strawberries)
• Soil pH tester
• Electronic soil tester (or one can send a sample to state extension service)
• Supplies specific to plants, such as tomato cages, bulb planters, flower pots, etc.

Personal Items

• Gardening gloves
• Kneeling or knee pads
• Wide-brimmed hat

Garden Decorations

• Plant markers
• Sundial

• Water fountain
• Stepping-stones
• Ceramic statues
• Solar lights

Things to Look For

Good soil is the foundation for a successful garden. A heavy clay soil will need the addition of peat moss, gravel, organic matter and other soil conditioners to make it less dense, as well as to help water penetrate to the plants' roots. In contrast, a sandy soil needs less conditioning but will require more watering and fertilizing. The pH level should be tested, too, and either the addition of lime will be needed to bring up the alkalinity or ammonium sulfate to make it more acidic.

Another important consideration is the amount of sunlight the garden will receive. Many plants require full-sun, which means at least six hours a day of strong sunlight. If the conditions are less than ideal for a vegetable or flower garden, one could grow sun-loving plants in containers elsewhere.

Hardiness zones determine which plants will thrive during the growing season and also survive the winter (if they are perennial plants, which are dormant in winter but grow back in the spring). The zones range from zone 1 in parts of Alaska, where temperatures dip below –50 degrees, to zone 10 in southern Florida and California, where typical winter lows range from 30 to 40 degrees. Nursery plants usually list the hardiness zones along with optimal water, soil, and sun conditions.

Every gardener needs compost to condition soil and provide nutrients to plants. Compost should be started months in advance, but packaged compost can make up for a late start.

Compost can be made from grass cuttings, leaves, food scraps (no meats, grease, or oils), coffee grounds, plant debris, and other organic matter. It needs to receive some water and air, and can be piled on the ground or in a nice, airy bin. It also needs to be turned regularly.

Small beds can be raised off the ground with commercial planters or homemade structures made from wood. Raised beds offer better drainage and keep out some animals. They also provide a structure for attaching netting to keep birds away from strawberries.

Sustainable gardening means gardening with nature instead of against it. It involves practices that are good for the environment, people, and animals. These include growing food organically, planting native species, composting, mulching, promoting pollinators, and using natural means of controlling pests and weeds.

Trends

The economic downturn of 2007–9 inspired more people to take up vegetable and fruit gardening. Community gardens and container gardening are also on the rise as more people have less space with which to work. Similarly, drought tolerance became a focus in light of more extreme droughts like that in California in the early to mid 2010s.

As the baby boomers retire, more are taking up the hobby of gardening as a creative leisure pursuit. To cater to them, the industry has been marketing a variety of ergonomic tools and extra-comfortable kneepads. Gardening also appealed to younger adults; by 2019 about one-third of gardening households were millennials or older generation Z members.

High-tech gadgetry has enabled gardeners exert more precision control over their plantings. Self-watering containers, hydroponic systems, moisture sensors, smart sprinkler systems, and smartphone applications for irrigation all reduce the possibility of under- or overwatering. Still other sensors detect light, temperature, and other growing conditions, and smartphone applications assist users with such tasks as garden design and planting schedules. Motion-sensing sprinkler systems can deter nuisance critters. Lawn maintenance has diversified as well, with the introduction of robotic mowers and string-trimmers as well as cordless, battery-electric landscaping tools.

Many modern gardeners share gardening information on social media platforms. Some web communities are dedicated specifically to gardening.

Gardening for Fun vs. Profit

With the emphasis on eating locally and organically grown foods, small-scale farmers are in big demand. Gardeners interested in selling food for profit should look into local regulations about land use and food production. Once established, a gardener can sell at farmer's markets and health food stores or start a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group. Farmers' markets also offer a good place for flower enthusiasts to sell their fresh bouquets or dried flower wreaths and crafts. Gardeners can also find employment at nurseries and in the private sector. Master gardeners can teach, write, or start their own gardening business.

Learning More

Organizations  

National Gardening Association, http://www.garden.org/home.

Books  

Liebreich, Karen, Jutta Wagner, and Annette Wendland. The Family Kitchen Garden: How to Plant, Grow, and Cook Together. Portland: Timber Press, 2009.

McVicar and Penelope Hobhouse. The Complete Herb Book. Richmond Hill, Ontario: Firefly, 2008.

Purnell, Bob. Crops in Pots: How to Plan, Plant, and Grow Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs in Easy-Care Containers. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest, 2006.

Spence, Ian. Garden Plants & Flowers Through the Year. New edition. New York: DK Publishing, 2009.

Whitman, Ann, Suzanne DeJohn, and editors of the National Gardening Association. Organic Gardening for Dummies. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2009.

Magazines  

Birds & Blooms

Fine Gardening

Organic Gardening