Arable and Horticultural
Cultivation of the landscape has taken place for millennia. Although this has been primarily for producing food, landscapes are also cultivated for horticultural purposes. Here you can find information and links to further advice on caring for heritage in arable and horticultural environments to inform nature recovery work.
Arable and horticultural land and the historic environment
The practice of arable cultivation began when humans started to settle permanently in the landscape. Much valued biodiversity has adapted to this habitat over millennia.
In more recent centuries horticulture – the science of growing plants – has resulted in more diverse land uses and the growth of gardening. Growing non-native crops, including orchard trees such as apples, and cultivating plants for floral and aesthetic purposes has created habitats and opportunities for wildlife, particularly in the expanding urban environment.
Some arable practices can be damaging to archaeological remains. Use and dependence on pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers can be harmful to wildlife. However, traditional and other less invasive methods of arable cultivation and management can be both beneficial to wildlife and help protect the historic environment and character of the landscape.
Parks and gardens, rich in flowering plants, can be an invaluable source of food and shelter for wildlife, especially birds and insects. Nectar and pollen rich planting in gardens are an important link in our essential ecosystems.
The following pages provide information on arable and horticultural activities and the historic environment.
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Management of Archaeological Sites on Arable Land
Advice on the management of archaeological sites on arable land
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Allotments, Orchards and Nurseries
Historic features like allotments, areas of small rented garden plots, orchards and nurseries still survive in our towns and cities, and villages.
