Giardino vs. orto
In Italian, both 'giardino' and 'orto' refer to types of gardens, but they have distinct meanings and uses.
Giardino
A giardino is a garden primarily for ornamental purposes, often featuring flowers, trees, and decorative elements.
Il giardino della villa è pieno di rose colorate.
(The villa's garden is full of colorful roses.)
Abbiamo organizzato una festa nel giardino.
(We organized a party in the garden.)
Il giardino pubblico è un luogo perfetto per rilassarsi.
(The public garden is a perfect place to relax.)
Orto
An orto is a vegetable garden or kitchen garden, used for growing edible plants and herbs for consumption.
Nell'orto coltiviamo pomodori, zucchine e insalata.
(In the vegetable garden, we grow tomatoes, zucchini, and lettuce.)
Mio nonno passa molto tempo nel suo orto.
(My grandfather spends a lot of time in his vegetable garden.)
L'orto della scuola insegna ai bambini l'importanza dell'agricoltura.
(The school's vegetable garden teaches children the importance of agriculture.)
Summary
While both 'giardino' and 'orto' refer to gardens, a 'giardino' is primarily ornamental and for enjoyment, whereas an 'orto' is specifically for growing vegetables and herbs for consumption. The choice between these words depends on the garden's purpose and contents.