# Home Gardening Origins: Stunning History Revealed

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-the-origins-of-home-gardening/
- Published: 2026-09-27T18:57:01-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Home gardening dates back to the Middle Ages. It was the man of the house’s job 
to take care of the home garden, which evolved into a complex system of small gardens.
During the Early Americas, many people grew their own fruits and vegetables, but
in the 1700s, the Arabs began to conquer the continent. The Moors brought with them
a new appreciation for gardening and introduced the concept of growing fruits and
vegetables.

The earliest examples of home gardening were in rural areas. They were part of subsistence
agricultural systems. By the year 1897, the cult of the cottage garden had become
established, which propagated the idea of rural self-sufficiency. According to John
Loudon, who wrote in 1830, the eighth acre of land could feed a family of five, 
and three-quarters of an acre was recommended for potato growing. Other plants that
would grow well in the garden include parsnips, beans, and apples, and the guru 
even suggested growing soft fruit against the house.

Before the war, men marched off to war, and many walled gardens fell into decline.
Before the war, 80 percent of our food was imported. With the blockades from Germany,
new powers were granted to the government to acquire land for growing vegetables
and other plants. In the spring of 1918, the British allotments numbered more than
1.4 million. Women worked the allotments, and they continued to grow their own vegetables.

Throughout history, home gardens have been cultivated as a means of supplying food
and medicine to the family. As a result, home gardens have become an important part
of the global economy. In fact, they provide a supplementary source of food for 
resource-poor households. For example, the Tajikistani people have been heavily 
dependent on their home gardens for sustenance and food security. It is also important
to understand that there is no single definition of a home garden.

Research on the origins of home gardening has revealed that there are many cultures
that cultivate home gardens. In the upper Amazon, the Achuar Indians depend on their
gardens to survive. Their gardens are lush and productive, which proves that their
households are economically and socially stable. In the Andes, the Saraguro people
are heavily dependent on their home gardens for food and medicine. A garden is the
source of life, and it is the foundation of social security.

While there is no universally accepted definition of a home garden, there are many
different cultural variations that are represented in a home garden. Depending on
the region, it may represent the social aspects of a society. For instance, it may
reflect local farming practices and indigenous culture. It may also be a repository
of ancient knowledge. You might wonder how the first gardeners of a certain culture
grew their crops.

In the late 19th century, gardens in the Chinese style were popular. Some gardeners
attempted to imitate the Japanese style. In the late nineteenth century, William
Robinson popularized the idea of the “wild garden” in his book, The Wild Garden.
In the early nineteenth century, the need to grow food and medicine prompted the
development of a cottage garden culture. Some of these gardens were designed for
aesthetic purposes, including ornamentation.

Home gardens are a traditional way to supplement household diets. In the early 1900s,
Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union. Within a few years, civil 
war ensued, and the Tajiks relied heavily on the gardens to provide them with food.
In the post-soviet era, food and medicine from these gardens have become a staple
in the diet of many Tajik families.

Home gardens are an integral part of local food systems, and have numerous benefits.
Michelle and Hanstad define home gardens as: multi-storied, multi-use space near
the residence of the family, and containing a high diversity of plants. They are
perennial, low-maintenance, and often a supplemental source of food and income for
households. They are easy to access and maintain, and require minimal labor.

“The History of Gardening: How Cultures, Events, and People Made Gardening What 
It Is Today”

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