Horticulture is one of three sciences that comprise modern agriculture, along with agronomy and forestry. The word “horticulture” is broken down into two parts; ‘hort’ meaning garden; and ‘culture’ meaning to cultivate or grow. Horticulture is most easily defined as the science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. There are six smaller sciences that make up the horticultural field including pomology, olericulture, arboriculture, floriculture, landscape horticulture, and post-harvest physiology.
Almost all of the different forms of plant life that we encounter each day are derived from the science of horticulture. The ‘Japanese Maple’ you have in your front yard is a horticultural species, the bouquet of flowers that you are giving to your girlfriend is a product of horticulture, and all of those delicious fruits and vegetables that we enjoy year around are products of horticulture as well. Without horticulture, life as we know it would be dull, dry, and almost tasteless. We need these plants and their productive parts to remain in our daily lives because they contribute so much to our diet, health and aesthetical pleasure.
So whether you are in your garden, greenhouse, or out on the golf-course, please take the time to step back, and capture all of the wonderful things that horticulture does for us today, because without it we would be in a world of trouble.
Almost all of the different forms of plant life that we encounter each day are derived from the science of horticulture. The ‘Japanese Maple’ you have in your front yard is a horticultural species, the bouquet of flowers that you are giving to your girlfriend is a product of horticulture, and all of those delicious fruits and vegetables that we enjoy year around are products of horticulture as well. Without horticulture, life as we know it would be dull, dry, and almost tasteless. We need these plants and their productive parts to remain in our daily lives because they contribute so much to our diet, health and aesthetical pleasure.
So whether you are in your garden, greenhouse, or out on the golf-course, please take the time to step back, and capture all of the wonderful things that horticulture does for us today, because without it we would be in a world of trouble.
References: "Horticulture: Principles and Practices" What is Horticulture, pages xxix-xli
Image from: My personal photo collection.
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