gardening

noun

gar·​den·​ing ˈgär-də-niŋ 

ˈgärd-niŋ

: the act, activity, or pastime of planning and cultivating gardens

… America's number-one leisure pursuit remains the gentle, slow-going, idyllic activity of gardening.

—Margaret Langstaff

… there is no shortage this spring of slick and glossy books on gardening that are long on toothsome photography and short of thoughtful text …

—Allen Lacy

Halide lamps are the most popular source of white light available for indoor gardening, providing the best light spectrum for all stages of plant growth.

—Laura L. Kramer

—often used before another noun

gardening gloves

gardening tools

Examples of gardening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most were men, and many worked in construction, agriculture, gardening and the service industry. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

When to Plant Cucumbers When you plant cucumbers depends on your gardening zone, but generally the best time is in late spring or early summer, after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 May 2026

Experts say successful gardening begins long before the hottest days arrive. —Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026

Outside of work, Plowden enjoyed gardening, fishing, conducting research and classical music, his wife said. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gardening

• hardening
• pardoning