Constant gardening in a changing world
We still grow in the same way as previous generations
Gardening is ever changing, yet it’s fascinating that we still grow many of the basic vegetables, fruits and flowers that have been cultivated in the same way for generations. This despite hybridisation gifting us a diversity of newcomers, some of which we have happily embraced. For example, you can still find potatoes ‘Duke of York’ introduced in 1897, growing alongside the show variety ‘Nadine’ (1987).
Nor have the basic garden tools we use changed much in design over two thousand years. At Vindolanda Roman Fort Museum, you’ll find a spade and sickle perfectly preserved. Such items still have a role to play alongside labour-saving modern introductions, the rotavator and robotic mower.
Clearly, change is not always popular or accepted by all and that is fine if there is an element of choice in the matter. However, when it is deemed to be for the greater good and legislation is passed to drive it, common sense must prevail.
Plant name changes have gathered pace in relatively recent times. So, buddleia (butterfly bush), named after 17th century vicar-botanist James Buddle, is now called Buddleja. Chrysanthemum was changed to dendranthema, and cimicifuga to actaea. In 1758, Carolus Linnaeus introduced a template for naming plants in groups based on their physical appearance. However, discovering a plant’s genetic code through the internal tissue is a more accurate modern approach. Most recently it was decided that the fragrant herb rosemary is more closely related in DNA to sage (salvia). It’s now officially Salvia rosmarinus. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” seems appropriate here!
Some changes to the way we garden have been essential to the well-being of humankind and animal life in general. None more so than the banning of certain pesticides after Rachel Carson’s 1962 publication Silent Spring alerted the world to the indiscriminate use of persistent insecticides that were entering food chains.
Since then, we have witnessed the banning of so many. Most recently slug pellets based on metaldehyde were withdrawn from use and replaced by ferric phosphate with mixed claims of its effectiveness. However, we are sticking to our ‘no pesticides in the garden’ plan.