Definition of HORTICULTURE

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Hortus is Latin for "garden", and the first gardens were planted about 10,000 years ago in what is often called the Fertile Crescent—the crescent-shaped area stretching from Israel north through Syria and down Iraq's two great rivers to the Persian Gulf. Probably more fertile in previous centuries than it is today, it was the original home of such food plants as wheat, barley, peas, and lentils or their ancient ancestors (not to mention the ancestors of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats as well). Many horticulturists today work as researchers or plant breeders or tend orchards and greenhouses—but most American households contain at least one amateur horticulturist.

Examples of horticulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Master Gardener volunteers in Ozaukee County provide horticulture education, community service and environmental stewardship for the community in affiliation with the UW-Madison Extension. — Elaine Rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A listing of home and garden events for the Milwaukee area (Winter 2020 edition)," 17 Dec. 2019 Lee Reich is an avid farmdener (more than a gardener, less than a farmer) with graduate degrees in soil science and horticulture who writes for The Associated Press. — NBC News, "Bring spring indoors early — very early — by forcing bulbs," 4 Dec. 2019 To encourage beneficial insects and the health of your garden, allow shrubs to return to their natural shapes, let grass grow longer and permit a few weeds to flower, said Theresa Badurek, horticulture agent for Pinellas County. — Washington Post, "Gardening trends for 2020? Think unconventional, sustainable," 7 Jan. 2020 The newest apple product has more to do with horticulture than technology. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Latest apple launch is nutritious and lasts in fridge for a year," 3 Dec. 2019 One of the five Alamo Colleges, its horticulture department already offers two associate degrees, in turf grass and golf course management and in landscape and horticultural science. — Ashley Mcbride, ExpressNews.com, "Palo Alto College offers winemaking degree for a booming Texas industry," 30 Nov. 2019 Connect with other garden and horticulture enthusiasts or find seeds and plants to start your first garden. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, "What’s on: National City holds Summer Fiesta to mark birthday," 12 Sep. 2019 John Blakeman, a renowned expert in Ohio horticulture, has offered his assistance in the development and growth of these valuable assets. — Shirley Macfarland, cleveland, "Give a gift of beauty and tranquility with Gardenview: Strong Points," 13 Dec. 2019 First a bit of history: Palmdale was once the home of Eliam Lynman Beard, an early pioneer who helped to establish commercial agriculture and horticulture in the region. — Monica Lander, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Historic Fremont estate at The Gardens of Palmdale," 3 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horticulture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.