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Garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, and usually of a somewhat limited size, which is typically set aside for the display, cultivation and enjoyment of nature. The garden allows a person or persons to develop slowly and personally a relationship with the space. That relationship is of a personal nature and may take many forms. Among these:
- Cooperation with nature
- Observance of nature
- Relaxation
- Family dinners on the terrace
- Children playing in the yard
- Reading in the hammock
- Puttering in the flowerbeds
- Pottering in the shed
- Basking in warm sunshine
The garden generally incorporates natural, as well as man-made materials. In its most common form, known as a residential garden, it is found adjacent to or near to a residence, and it functions as an outdoor "room". In the same manner as an indoor space can function in many different ways, depending on a variety of factors, so too can a garden have many purposes; among these are aesthetic, functional and recreative purposes. The purpose of a garden will greatly affect its usage and design.
These general characteristics of the garden can be compared to other spaces as follows:
- A landscape is an outdoor natural space of a larger scale often considered from a distance.
- A park is a planned outdoor space, usually of a larger size, intended for public or semi-public use.
- An arboretum is a planned outdoor space, usually of a larger size, intended for the display and study of trees.
- A farm or orchard is intended for the production of food stuff.
The garden is designed at "human scale", as it is most often intended for private, semiprivate or limited use. These characteristics are not hard and fast. For example, the garden of a castle or of a large estate may be larger than a public park in a village, and may well produce foodstuff. A publicly accessible garden will be open to the public, and may be highly trafficked.
Gardening is the activity of growing and maintaining the garden's vegetation. This work may be done by a professional gardener. A gardener might work in a non-garden setting, such as a park, a roadside embankment, or another public space, and might also perform other activities, unrelated to the garden's vegetation.
Garden planning and design
Garden planning and design may be undertaken by a professional. A landscape architect is a trained, certified and registered professional who can plan and actualize a wide variety of outdoor spaces. A garden designer is usually trained to plan and actualize residential gardens.
Regardless if planned and designed by a professional or a non-professional, including the owner of the property, consideration must be given to many factors. Among these are:
- Intended purpose
- Existing conditions
- Financial constraints
- Maintenance implications
Elements of a garden
Natural conditions:
Man-made elements:
Types of gardens
Gardens are often categorized by a particular style, function or their extensive use of particular plants. Because gardens are a personal expression, they often cross the bounds of these categories by mixing elements of the various types. Below are some common garden types:
Gardens may feature a particular plant or plant type:
- Cactus garden
- Rose garden
- Wildflower garden
Gardens may feature a particular style or aesthetic:
Gardens may function in a particular manner:
History of gardens
See history of gardens page.
Gardens in literature
See also
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Garden Catalog Profiles
A mail-order nursery guide for the personal computer. Find, view, compare, and print details about nurseries.
http://www.norellsoftware.com/
Woody Plants in the Prairie Landscape
A multimedia disc with plant descriptions, photographs, music, and narration.
http://www.woodyplants.com/
Grow It Gold Works
Assists with landscaping and garden design.
http://www.taoherbfarm.com/index.htm
Translat
Translation program for botanical latin.
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~pbostock/
Garden Manager Software
Assists in planning and managing your Square Foot Garden. Features include a calendar, seed sorter, planting list, layout manager and vegetable information.
http://www.mindspring.com/%7Ejmaier/garden/
3D Garden Composer
Software kit for garden planning, design, and landscaping.
http://www.gardencomposer.com/
Landscaping Business Software
Creates invoices, schedules, routes, and estimates for landscaping and lawn care service providers.
http://www.adkad.com/groundskeeper.htm
Own Garden Net
Allows gardeners to create their own personalized garden plan, diary and task list. Includes pictures and diagrams.
http://www.ognet.co.uk/
Gardener's Journal
Assists in keeping notes about gardening, the weather, or thoughts using text, audio, or video.
http://marco-software.com/GardenersJournal/index.html
Market Gardeners
Software that offers market gardeners the ability to provide customers further information when buying produce.
http://www.taoherbfarm.com/market.htm
English Cottage Gardening
A garden CD with photos and information on how to create an English cottage garden.
http://www.gardeningcd.com/cdplant/homepage/homepage.html
Plants for Windows
Prints catalogues, lists, and labels. Also contains a search feature.
http://freespace.virgin.net/plants.software/
Ideas for Gardeners
Software to organize garden plants, photos, and data. Features for collecting internet photos and data.
http://www.ideasforgardens.com/
The Compleat Botanica
Software for gardeners, nurseries, plant societies and garden clubs to organize, publish, and label.
http://www.crescentbloom.com/
WaterWise Gardening Software
Software for drought tolerant plants that incorporates organic gardening practices and pest control.
http://www.thewaterwisegarden.com/
Garden Management Software
Assists the gardener with planning, planting, and maintenance of garden activities.
http://www.pleasantlakesoftware.com/
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