1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping

Horticulture

By David Beaulieu, About.com

Definition: Horticulture is the science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants. Etymologically, "horticulture" can be broken down into two Latin words: hortus (garden) and cultus (tilling). As William L. George explains in his definition of horticulture:

"Horticulture involves five areas of study. These areas are floriculture (includes production and marketing of floral crops), landscape horticulture (includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants), olericulture (includes production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (includes production and marketing of fruits), and postharvest physiology which involves maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops."
Common Misspellings: hortaculture
Examples:
Master Gardeners are well-versed in horticulture.

Explore Landscaping

About.com Special Features

Home Allergy Center

Banish mess, reduce allergens, and maintain a clean, healthy home. More >

Home Improvements Made Easy

Inspirational ideas and expert tips to help you pull off your next DIY project. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.