Craving a taste of Hamburg’s history right here? The Bauerngarten, or farmer’s garden, stands before us not as an ancient relic but as a reimagining of rural life. Let’s explore this unique garden.
Until the late 19th century, a Bauerngarten simply meant a garden tended by farmers. These gardens prioritized useful plants for the household, farm, and animals. Aesthetic appeal took a backseat. But times changed. The Bauerngarten became romanticized, a symbol of idyllic wilderness. Yet, it wasn’t considered a distinct garden form in a scientific sense.
In 1855, Anton Kerner’s book “Flora der Bauerngärten in Deutschland” introduced the Bauerngarten as a specific type. However, this was more of a romantic ideal than a true reflection of gardening practices. This idea took root. In 1913, a Bauerngarten, seemingly authentic, was created in Hamburg’s botanical garden.
Pre-1900 Bauerngärten differed from what we imagine today. Fields often stretched right up to the house. Fruit trees might be scattered about. Open spaces were kept for livestock. The layouts of monastery, teacher, pastor, and apothecary gardens influenced their design. Before the concept of the “ideal” Bauerngarten emerged in the late 19th century, there was no single garden design.
As the industrial age dawned, cities and their residents gave new meaning to private gardens. For some, it was an “idyll” with flowers, manicured hedges, and a garden house. For others, it provided herbs, fruits, and vegetables. As urbanization and industrial pollution increased, idealized notions of traditional Bauerngärten emerged.
The Bauerngarten in Hamburg’s botanical garden aims to showcase a model Bauerngarten on a small scale. Plants are arranged by biological category like herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Aesthetic principles are considered too. This Hamburg-style Bauerngarten has key features. It emphasizes vegetables and herbs. It follows a rectangular or square layout with a central path. It’s enclosed by a fence, wall, or hedge.
Often, a circular feature sits at the path’s center. This might be a water feature, a flower bed, or a small tree. Boxwood hedges edging the beds or the entire garden are typical. Flowers, often perennials, are usually included. Berry bushes are common. Fruit trees sometimes stand on the north side. Bauerngärten have a clear, geometric structure.
These gardens weren’t based on authentic pre-1900 examples. Instead, they incorporated various garden design ideas. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a traditional garden form. Many “Bauerngärten” are copies or adaptations of Hamburg’s model garden. The Bauerngarten is a “staged” educational display. Its creation and upkeep demand knowledge and effort. This may explain why these gardens initially struggled to gain popularity in private gardens.
Since the 1980s, Germany has seen a small Bauerngarten revival. Modern, often romanticized, versions appear in numerous publications. Similar garden forms are now recreated in private allotments. Open-air museums and tourist attractions have also contributed to their popularity.
So, as we stand here, remember that the Bauerngarten represents an idealized version of the past. It blends practicality with beauty. It offers a glimpse into a romanticized vision of rural life.