17C Europeans landing on America's East Coast coped with new weather patterns & geography by creating spaces to meet basic needs for shelter, food, & safety. As time passed, most still grew food plants; but with expanding families & importation of indentured servants & slaves, farm fields often became export enterprises. In the 18-19C, many gentry transformed their formal gardens into art to project a desired image to others - their wealth, power, refinement, & beliefs.
