An american timeline : home gardening in the u.s.
1700s:
- Home gardening in the United States primarily serves practical purposes, with families growing their own food to sustain themselves.
- Colonial gardens feature a mix of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, often in simple layouts.
1800s:
- The concept of the “kitchen garden” becomes popular, where families grow vegetables and herbs close to the house for easy access.
- The Victorian era influences garden designs, with formal and ornamental gardens gaining popularity.
- Seed companies begin to emerge, offering a wider variety of plant species and cultivars for home gardeners.
1900s:
- Victory Gardens become popular during World War I and World War II, as citizens are encouraged to grow their own food to support the war effort.
- The suburbanization trend in the mid-20th century leads to the rise of home gardens as a recreational activity rather than solely for sustenance.
- Organic gardening gains momentum, with increased interest in natural and sustainable gardening practices.
- The advent of television gardening shows, such as “The Victory Garden” and “The Victory Garden’s Edible Feast,” provide gardening tips and inspiration to a wider audience.
2000s:
- The “grow your own” movement gains traction as people seek to reconnect with nature, reduce their environmental footprint, and have access to fresh, healthy produce.
- Urban gardening and community gardens become popular, especially in cities where space is limited.
- The rise of social media platforms, gardening blogs, and YouTube channels make it easier for home gardeners to access information, share tips, and connect with other gardening enthusiasts.
- The popularity of organic gardening continues to grow, with an increasing focus on sustainable practices and growing heirloom varieties.
- Edible landscaping gains popularity, with people incorporating fruits, vegetables, and herbs into their ornamental garden designs.
2010s:
- The interest in organic gardening and sustainable practices continues to rise, with more people adopting composting, rainwater harvesting, and permaculture techniques.
- Container gardening becomes popular, particularly among urban dwellers and those with limited space.
- The use of technology in gardening expands, with the introduction of smart gardening tools, mobile apps, and online platforms that provide personalized advice and plant care reminders.
- The farm-to-table movement and increased awareness of food security and food deserts lead to more emphasis on local food production and community gardening initiatives.
2020s:
- Home gardening experiences a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people spend more time at home and seek productive and fulfilling activities.
- Seed shortages occur due to high demand, prompting a renewed interest in seed saving and heirloom varieties.
- Vertical gardening and hydroponics gain attention as innovative ways to maximize limited space and conserve resources.
- Climate change impacts gardening practices, with gardeners adapting to extreme weather conditions and exploring drought-tolerant and heat-resistant plant species.
- The concept of regenerative gardening emerges, focusing on practices that restore ecosystems and promote biodiversity.
Please note that this timeline provides a general overview and does not capture every aspect or trend in home gardening in the United States.
Sources:
1. Leighton, Ann, Early American Gardens: “For Meate and Medicine,” (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1970).
2. Hyams, Edward, A History of Gardens and Gardening, (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1971), p. 259-302.
3. Somerville, Lee, Vintage Wisconsin Gardens: A History of Home Gardening, (Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2011), p. 30-88.
4. Casida, John Casida, editor, Pyrethrum: The Natural Insecticide, (New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1973), p. 4.
5. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships: Increase Access to Fresh Produce.”
6. University of California Santa Cruz Library, “Timeline: Cultivating a Movement, An Oral History Series on Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture on California’s Central Coast,” University of California Santa Cruz.
7. University of Missouri Extension, “Community Gardening Toolkit,” University of Missouri, April 2015.
8. Associated Landscape Contactors of Colorado, “Sustainable Landscaping: Xeriscape.”
9. Frey, William H., “Population Growth in Metro America Since 1980: Putting the Volatile 2000s in Perspective,” The Brookings Institution, March 2012.
10. Let’s Move: America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids, “Gardening Guide.”
11. Sinnes, A. Cort, “Food Gardening in the U.S. at the Highest Levels in More Than a Decade According to New Report by the National Gardening Association,” National Gardening Association, April 2014.
