The Middle Ages was kind of a golden age for agriculture, as it introduced many modern methods for crop yield and growth that we still use today. The Middle Ages also brought about the usage of things like rye, oats, barley, and wheat, beans and peas not just for human consumption, but as a staple food source for animals. This was known as a fodder crop, which also had a nitrogen-fixation property that allowed for the fertilization of land in crop rotation strategies. Because of all of these new and effective implementations, crop yields would skyrocket, peaking in the 13th century, then continuing to stay at that point all the way until the end of the 18th century. Though the medieval ages had many of its own limitations that were once thought to have caped their population growth, more modern studies have indicated that they had more than enough agricultural prowess to sustain a higher population, but that the period was particularly harsh due to things like volatile weather and warfare.
Though the Middle Ages were a hard time for man in general, a warm period would bring about agricultural prosperity, further increasing the abundance of crops and yields from farms all across the area. This also allowed for other more subtropical plants to be explored and grown in Europe, including things like figs and oliv es. It is not clear why, but it is clear that the Middle Ages was a time of prosperity for agriculture, one that helped lead us into the modern age.
Jeffry Hill is a soil scientist who says that the Middle Age introduced many modern advancements in agriculture.
Though the Middle Ages were a hard time for man in general, a warm period would bring about agricultural prosperity, further increasing the abundance of crops and yields from farms all across the area. This also allowed for other more subtropical plants to be explored and grown in Europe, including things like figs and oliv es. It is not clear why, but it is clear that the Middle Ages was a time of prosperity for agriculture, one that helped lead us into the modern age.
Jeffry Hill is a soil scientist who says that the Middle Age introduced many modern advancements in agriculture.