Why were Private Gardens Important? Part 1 - Kitchen Gardens

The inclusion of a private kitchen garden in the household plan is a common trend in Roman architecture. In Pompeii, many preserved yards and structures show the layout of these utility gardens: usually in the rear of the property, out of sight and accessed from the kitchen area. For the wealthy, kitchen gardens were not necessary, although not unheard of. For the common family and especially the poor, subsistence gardening provided a valuable food supply with little cost to the family. Gardens tended to include fruit trees as well as vegetables, all items regularly used in everyday cooking. There is some evidence of herb gardens being included in these areas, adding elements of flavour and variety to a family's diet at low cost.

(1) Artist's rendering of a kitchen garden 

The devastation and preservation of Pompeii shows that gardens were of particular importance there. Of the excavated sites, 5.4% of the area is household gardens. While this is not specifically kitchen gardens and may also include flower or courtyard gardens, it shows a significant portion of private land was dedicated to the cultivation of plants. Further, evidence suggests that after the introduction of aqueducts into Pompeii, priority was given to garden irrigation and watering in household use. While a portion of this was used for pools and fountains, a significant amount of water was diverted to gardens altogether, instead of being funneled into the house for other purposes. This suggests the importance of the household kitchen garden.

(2) Plan of the House of the Surgeon, Pompeii. Garden is identified as Horus.

It is important to note that even the courtyard portico gardens of Pompeii housed plants that served a purpose in the household. Various flowering plants, shrubs and trees held key ingredients for medicinal use, seasoning, and cooking, despite not being included in the kitchen garden area. More about these courtyard garden's in my part 2 of the question 'Why were Private Gardens Important?'

Works Cited:

Carroll, Maureen. Earthly Paradises: Ancient Gardens in History and Archaeology. London: British Museum Press, 2003. Pages 32-35.

Ciarello, A. The Gardens of Ancient Pompeii. Actua Horticulturae, Applied Research Laboratory of Pompeii. 881: 875-877. 2010.

Jashemski, Wilhemina F. The Campanian Peristyle Garden. In Ancient Roman Gardens. Edited by Lois Fern. Washington, DC: Dombarton Oaks, 1981. Page 48.

Image Sources:
(1) http://westcivprojcashour-emily.blogspot.it/2010/03/what-is-so-ancient-about-rome.html
(2) http://interactive.archaeology.org/pompeii/field/11.html