The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners traces its origins to seventeenth-century Scotland, where working gardeners formed lodges to share knowledge, support one another, and uphold moral principles rooted in their craft.

According to the research of Robert L. D. Cooper, the earliest recorded lodge met in Haddington on August 16, 1676, though its traditions suggest an even older foundation.

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Originally operative in nature, these early gardeners exchanged practical skill and mutual aid. Over time, the lodges evolved into a speculative fraternity (metaphorical gardening), admitting men from all walks of life who sought personal growth and brotherhood. The tools and labors of gardening became powerful symbols—teaching patience, discipline, and the quiet work of self-improvement.

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As the Order spread, many lodges took on the role of friendly societies, offering financial and charitable support. Yet as these functions grew, the deeper symbolic traditions gradually declined, until the revival of the Order in Europe in the early 2000s. 

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The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners Inc. is a driving force in the efforts to preserve the teachings, symbolism, and spirit of the original craft in North America. Though times have changed, the lesson remains unchanged:
"As a garden must be carefully cultivated, so too must the life of the individual."