Jardín vs. huerto
While both 'jardín' and 'huerto' can be translated as 'garden' in English, they refer to different types of gardens in Spanish, each with distinct purposes and characteristics.
Jardín
A jardín is an ornamental garden, typically designed for aesthetic pleasure and relaxation.
Las rosas en el jardín están floreciendo.
(The roses in the garden are blooming.)
Pasamos la tarde leyendo en el jardín.
(We spent the afternoon reading in the garden.)
El hotel tiene un hermoso jardín con una fuente.
(The hotel has a beautiful garden with a fountain.)
Huerto
A huerto is a vegetable garden or orchard, primarily used for growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs for consumption.
Cultivamos tomates y lechugas en nuestro huerto.
(We grow tomatoes and lettuce in our vegetable garden.)
El huerto escolar enseña a los niños sobre agricultura.
(The school vegetable garden teaches children about agriculture.)
Mi abuelo pasa horas cuidando su huerto de manzanos.
(My grandfather spends hours tending to his apple orchard.)
Summary
In summary, a 'jardín' is a decorative garden for beauty and leisure, while a 'huerto' is a functional garden for growing food. The choice between these words depends on the garden's primary purpose: ornamental or productive.