New Jersey is a state known for its rich culture, diverse communities, and natural beauty. With over 12,000 acres of public parks and more than 190 miles of shoreline, it’s also a state that understands the value of green spaces. But why is New Jersey called the Garden State? It’s thanks to many reasons — some obvious and others a bit unexpected. If you love spending time outdoors or are relocating to the area, this will come in handy! Whether you’re from New Jersey or planning to move there soon, here are Why is New Jersey Called The Garden State.
Why Is New Jersey Called The Garden State?
1. Visit New Jersey’s, Natural Wonders
New Jersey is known for its diverse and engaging landscapes, including forests, beaches, tidal marshes, and meadows. The Highlands are home to the state’s highest peaks, while the Pinelands is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll want to visit the New Jersey Botanical Gardens, which features a wide variety of gardens and collections, including a Japanese garden, an alpine house, and an herb garden. Or head to the Highlands and explore some of the state’s forests, including Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. If you’re looking to visit the beach, you can choose from a wide variety of options, including Sandy Hook, the Cape May Peninsula, and the Jersey Shore. The Jersey Shore is known for its boardwalks and tourism and is a top attraction for those who want to visit New Jersey. You can also visit Delaware Bay and its marshes, or explore the Pine Barrens, which is one of the oldest biomes in North America.
2. Recognized For Its Agriculture
While New Jersey is famous for its urban and coastal areas, it is also a state that holds strong to its agricultural roots. In fact, more than 50 percent of the state’s land is dedicated to agriculture, making it the state with the highest percentage of cultivated land. New Jersey is home to many different kinds of farms, including produce farms, livestock farms, and dairy farms. If you’re visiting the area or are planning to move there, you can purchase many of the state’s agricultural products at local farmers’ markets, including cranberries, blueberries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, strawberries, and apples. If you’re looking to visit a farm, you can go for a cranberry tour at the Wharton State Forest or visit a blueberry farm in the Northern part of the state. If you love to cook with fresh produce, you’ll want to visit a local farm to pick up your ingredients.
3. Home To Many Famous Food Brands
New Jersey is a state that is not only recognized for its agriculture, but also for the many food brands that were founded there. You can trace these brands back to the state’s rich agricultural history, and they can be found in both supermarkets and restaurants across the country. If you’re moving to New Jersey or are visiting, you’ll be sure to recognize many of these brands. If you love collecting souvenirs, you’ll want to look for specialty food brands like Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Crystal Hot Sauce, or Log Cabin syrup. If you’re visiting the state, you can also pick up some of these products to bring back to a friend or family member.
4. There’s Great Sports Culture, Too
New Jersey is known for its rich sports culture, and the state has been home to many famous athletes. You can find a variety of sports to enjoy in New Jersey, including college basketball, baseball, hockey, and football. If you’re a sports lover, you’ll want to visit New York City, which is an exciting place to enjoy sports, as well as the state’s capital, Trenton. If you’re visiting, you’ll find that New Jersey is home to many museums, including the New Jersey State Museum and the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame. If you’re looking to visit a game, you can find a full list of upcoming events on the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. If you love hockey, you’ll want to check out the New Jersey Devils, who play at the Prudential Center in Newark. You can also visit the stadiums of the New York Giants and New York Jets, which are just a short drive into New York City.
5. The State Maintains An Environmental Focus
New Jersey is a state that holds a rich environmental history and continues to be a leader in environmental efforts. From protecting the state’s coastal areas and forests to reducing carbon emissions, Garden State is one that is focused on green initiatives. From the beginning of the state’s formation, New Jersey has been committed to protecting its natural areas and wildlife. Today, it is one of the most environmentally friendly states. If you love the outdoors, you can find a number of ways to get involved and support the state’s ecological efforts. You can participate in events, volunteer with organizations and advocacy groups, and even start your own initiatives to help protect New Jersey’s natural and urban areas.
When New Jersey got the nickname “The Garden State”?
- The nickname “The Garden State” was first used in the state’s Centennial year, 1876. The New Jersey Legislature adopted it as the official state nickname in 1945, and it was made official by an act of Congress in 2002.
- New Jersey is also known as “The Old Line State” and “The Crossroads of the Revolution”
- New Jersey is also known as “The Old Line State” because George Washington’s troops were stationed here during the Revolutionary War. And they were called “the old line” because they were one of the oldest regiments at that time.
- New Jersey is also known as the “Crossroads of the Revolution” because important battles took place here during that war.
- There are four different kinds of soil found throughout New Jersey: the glacial, coastal plain, piedmont, and moraine soils. The glacial soils are found in northern New Jersey and are mostly granite-based with some sand added for texture. Coastal plain soils are found along the coast and have a lot more sand than rock in them. Piedmont soils are made up of clay with some sandy loam mixed in with some granite rocks while moraine soil is a mixture of clay and sand with boulders scattered throughout it. Soils vary greatly around New Jersey but not so much that it changes.
How New Jersey got the nickname “The Garden State”?
- New Jersey was dubbed the Garden State most likely because of all the wild and overgrown land in the state, but also because of the large population of people who farmed. This nickname was first used in the 1890s and was commonly used in magazines and newspapers.
- It was most likely given to us as a way to counter the negative nicknames people had for New Jersey. People would also call New Jersey “The Gateway to the Nation” and “The Provisions State,” because of New Jersey’s location on the East Coast and its reputation as a mega food producer.
- In fact, New Jersey is the second largest producer of tomatoes and blueberries in the U.S.—just behind Florida! New Jersey is also known as the “Treaty State,” because the New Jersey State Constitution was the first in the U.S. to provide for equal rights and due process for women. It is also known as the “Ski State” for its ample mountain ranges and resorts, and the “Hospitality State.”
Summary
New Jersey is known as the Garden State for many reasons. It has more green space than any other state, including the largest arboretum in the country. It’s also home to thousands of different plants, flowers, and trees, as well as spectacular waterfalls. The state’s nickname comes from several stories about its old names, such as New Netherlands or New Caesarea. The Garden State nickname also reflects New Jersey’s long history of cultivating different types of produce, such as tomatoes, blackberries, and blueberries. New Jersey is also known as a leader in environmentalism, protecting its natural areas and working toward clean energy sources.
