What is Horticulture?

If you have ever planted a hosta in your garden or ate an apple, you may wonder everything that went into the growth, harvesting and retail of it. Especially if you have noticed a change for the better in this year’s plants from previous years. Maybe the apple is tastier or the hosta isn't being eaten by pests. The answer to plant questions lies in Horticulture.

Horticulture is the science, technology and art of plant civilization. The word horticulture is Latin and is broken into two parts; Hurtus meaning garden and colera or cultura meaning to cultivate.

The civilization process of horticulture includes the cultivation, propagation, processing and marketing of plants. Plants that are part of this process are both edible plants, like nuts and vegetables along with aesthetic plants, like flowers and turf. One thing all the plants used in horticulture have in common is there is a high need or want for the plant, causing it to have a high value.

Horticulturalists are the people who work in the horticulture industry. They improve the plants nutritional values and protect the plants against natural damages that can occur, like pests and diseases. You will find horticulturalists in garden industries, colleges and government facilities. They are often engineers, designers, crop inspectors and advisors, breeders, teachers, scientists and retail managers.

To learn about horticulture in your area, contact your local Department of Horticulture.