When gardening became a science – new book depicts cultivation throughout history

The new part in the series focuses on the early modern period, a period when the idea of ​​what a garden could be, and how it could be used, was being shaped.

The new volume of Swedish Garden History shows how the entire population, both in cities and in the countryside, has devoted itself to gardens and horticulture in various forms. It has not only been about cultivating for profit, but also about cultivation for all the senses and with aesthetic dimensions. During the period 1500-1800, the garden developed into its own field of knowledge with specialists such as gardeners, garden architects, botanists and pharmacists.

Gardening knowledge became formalized and codified as an expression of an emerging modernity. At the same time, there was a living cultivation practice in a society that was in many ways still traditional, characterized by self-sufficiency, where gardening had often been a female-coded occupation.

Åsa Ahrland, Associate Professor of agricultural history and Senior Lecturer in landscape architecture at the Department of Urban and Rural Development, has written three of the book's five main chapters.

– I have investigated why people planted gardens and what role gardens played in their lives during this period. There is a major recognition factor – this is when the garden as we know it emerges, associated with our needs for utility, meaning, recreation and beauty. An important aspect is the garden's strong connection to science and its practical application. Among the first books after the breakthrough of the printing press were herbal books and botanical works. I have also delved into women's relationship with gardens and the importance of gardens for health. As early as the 16th century, there were thoughts about gardens as therapy.

The idea for a new overview was sparked ten years ago, by Janken Myrdal, Professor Emeritus of agricultural history.

– Garden history had by then become a more vital and broad field of research. We saw a dynamic development with many new doctoral theses, articles, documentation and restoration projects. It gave new perspectives on Sweden's garden history, says Åsa Ahrland.

An important factor in this development was that horticultural history research was not conducted within a specific discipline, but aroused interest within many scientific fields. However, the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature of the subject made it difficult to have an overview of the knowledge. Therefore, the idea of ​​a synthesis emerged – a work that would summarize, interpret and sometimes challenge existing research. The synthesis form enabled broad questions and contributed to identifying and promoting research in overlooked areas.