Von Kraut und Rüben

Nutzpflanzen in den Gärten der Hausväter

Abstract

“House Father Literature” (Hausväterliteratur) gives information about which plants were cultivated in the early modern era and whether the composition of those plants in various gardens changed over time. Three works from the end of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries respectively posed the following questions: What plants were cultivated? What information is there on those plants? Why are those plants in particular to be cultivated? Can any tendencies
of scientification or economization be determined? Those plants named in the aforementioned works were put into lists and described in detail; then the lists were compared and questions were posed as to their similarities and differences. Particular plants were subjected to analysis. There is almost always information regarding the plants’ needs in terms of soil and climate; the best times for seeding and planting; harvesting, preparation and storage as well as seed production. Sometimes plants are listed according to their humoral pathological properties and their healing potentials are emphasized. The recommendation of specific plants for cultivation is based on their uses: during the time of the “House Fathers,” the cultivation of certain plants was seen as
so important that one continuously encounters their names. These plants have maintained their importance because of their properties as good nutritional plants and because of their prestige as exotics.