Monastic garden

– The garden structure:
– Gardens were enclosed with fences, walls, or hedges for protection.
– Walls made of stone and brick were common among wealthier monasteries.
– Wattle fences were the most common type of fence.
– Bushes were occasionally used for fencing and provided food and protection.
– Gardens often extended outside monastery walls and included vineyards.

– Incorporating irrigation:
– Irrigation and water sources were critical for garden survival.
– Some systems used canals to control water-flow.
– Water source placement at the highest part of the garden aided in distribution.
– Gravity assisted in water distribution through smaller canal channels.
– Channels ran next to raised bed gardens for efficient watering.

– Gardening practices:
– Monks used astronomy to determine planting and harvesting times.
– Tools like shears, rakes, hoes, spades, baskets, and wheelbarrows were used.
– Gardening tools used by monks are still pivotal in modern gardening.
– Astronomy and stars were used to calculate planting and harvesting times.
– Gardening tools used by monks are similar to those used today.

– Medicinal use of plants:
– Many medical practices migrated to medieval Europe from the Islamic world.
– Gardens were important for medicinal purposes.
– Herbs like roses, lilies, sage, and rosemary were used for internal complications.
– Almonds were believed to aid in sleep, urination, and menstruation.
– Monks used medicinal herbs for healing themselves and the local community.

– Historical evidence of monastic gardens:
– Data on monastic gardens in the Middle Ages comes from archaeology, textual documentation, and artworks.
– The early Middle Ages provide a clear snapshot of gardening during Charlemagne’s time.
– Important documents like the Capitulare de villis and the plan of St Gall depict gardening practices.
– Dilapidated ruins of monastic infirmaries provide evidence of gardening practices.
– Flowers like peonies have been found growing in old monastic ruins.