Ancestral Puebloan/Hopi Demonstration Garden - Hovenweep National Monuement, UT - Demonstration Gardens on Waymarking.com

Hovenweep National Monument preserves several abandoned structures built in the mid to late 1200s. The former residents (called Ancestral Puebloans) were part of an agrarian society and this demonstration garden teaches visitors how and what they grew in this harsh, dry climate.

The interpretive sign reads as follows:

These plants are traditional Hopi crops, as well as the possible successors to the ones grown by the Ancestral Puebloans.

Beans, corn, and squash are known as the "Three Sisters." Cotton is used for making clothing, and Hopi Red Dye Amaranth is used for a deep, rich red dye. Other kinds of amaranth are grown as a grain. The Hopi Rattle Gourds would be used in ceremonies.

As the Ancestral Puebloan people moved away from hunting and gathering, agriculture became essential to their way of life. Corn, which had been introduced from Mesoamerica, was the staple of their diet, which also included beans and squash. The combination of all three provides the essential amino acids (as well as carbohydrates, vitamins and protein) for a healthy, balanced diet.

The Ancestral Puebloans used dry farming techniques, as well as irrigated terraces to grown their crops. They became very skilled at knowing when to plant and harvest as well as managing scarce soil and water resources for optimal yields.

This garden is based on the now-contemporary Hopi mound gardens. The mounds of soil give the plants a better chance of surviving, since more of the plant is protected under the soil. Planting deeply provides the plants more soil moisture, as well. The plants are originally clustered together, and then thinned.

The garden attempts to illustrate some of these farming techniques and crops grown in Puebloan times, as well as some other crops grown in pueblos today.

Address: Not listed Educational programs: Not listed Demonstration garden's website:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
All logs must be the result of an actual visit to the demonstration garden.

Write a description about your visit to the garden.

A photo of one of your favorite elements of the garden would also be a nice addition, but not mandatory.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/17/2018 catspa visited it