|
acid
soil
|
A soil
with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil. (a soil pH higher
than 7.0 is alkaline) Basically, pH is a measure of the amount
of lime (calcium) contained in your soil. |
|
acre
|
A measure
of land totaling 43,560 square feet. A square acre is 208.75
feet on each side. |
|
aerate
|
Loosening
or puncturing the soil to increase water penetration. |
|
air
layering
|
A specialized
method of plant propagation accomplished by cutting into the
bark of the plant to induce new roots to form. |
|
alkaline
soil
|
A soil
with a pH higher than 7.0 is an alkaline soil. (a soil pH lower
than 7.0 is acidic) Basically, pH is a measure of the amount
of lime (calcium) contained in your soil. |
|
annuals
|
Plants
whose life cycle lasts only one year, from seed to blooms to
seed. |
|
arboretum
|
A garden
with a large collection of trees and shrubs cultivated for scientific
or educational purposes. |
|
Aquatic
plants
|
Plants
which grow in, live in, or live on the water. |
|
bare
root
|
Plants
offered for sale which have had all of the soil removed from
their roots. |
|
bedding
plant
|
Plants
(mainly annuals), nursery grown and suitable for growing in
beds. Quick, colorful flowers. |
|
biennial
|
A plant
that usually only lives two years, normally producing flowers
and seed the second year. |
|
bolting
|
Vegetables
which quickly go to flower rather than producing the food crop.
Usually caused by late planting and too warm temperatures. |
|
bonsai
|
The art
of growing carefully trained, dwarf plants in containers. |
|
botanical
name
|
The Latin
or "scientific" name of a plant, usually composed
of two words,the genus and the species. |
|
bract
|
Modified
leaves growing just below a flower. Often confused with the
flower itself. |
|
bud
|
Early stages
of development of a flower or plant growth. |
|
bulb
|
The thickened
underground storage organ of the group of perennials which includes
daffodils and tulips. |
|
cambium
|
The thin
membrane located just beneath the bark of a plant. |
|
catkin
|
A slender,
spikelike, drooping flower cluster. |
|
chlorophyll
|
The green
pigment in leaves. When present and healthy usually dominates
all other pigments. |
|
complete
fertilizer
|
A plant
food which contains all three of the primary elements... nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium. |
|
compost
|
An organic
soil amendment resulting from the decomposition of organic matter. |
|
conifer
|
A cone
bearing tree with tiny needlelike leaves. |
|
corm
|
A thickened
underground stem which produces roots, leaves and flowers during
the growing season. |
|
cover
crop
|
A crop
which is planted in the absence of the normal crop to control
weeds and add humus to the soil when it is plowed in prior to
regular planting. |
|
crown
|
The point
at which a plants roots and top join. (usually at soil level) |
|
cultivate
|
Process
of breaking up the soil surface, removing weeds, and preparing
for planting. |
|
cuttings
|
A method
of propagation using sections of stems, roots or leaves. |
|
damping
off
|
A fungus,
usually affecting seedlings and causes the stem to rot off at
soil level. Sterilized potting soil and careful sanitation practices
usually prevent this. |
|
dead
head
|
The process
of pinching off used or spent blooms to keep the plants well
groomed and to prevent them from setting seed. This will promote
continued bloom. |
|
dibble
stick
|
A pointed
tool used to make holes in the soil for seeds, bulbs, or young
plants. |
|
dethatch
|
Process
of removing dead stems that build up beneath lawn grasses. |
|
dividing
|
The process
of splitting up plants, roots and all that have began to get
bound together. This will make several plants from one plant,
and usually should be done to mature perennials every 3 to 4
years. |
|
dormancy
|
The yearly
cycle in a plants life when growth slows and the plant rests.
Fertilizing should be withheld when a plant is in dormancy. |
|
double
digging
|
Preparing
the soil by systematically digging an area to the depth of two
shovels. |
|
double
flower
|
A flower
with many overlapping petals which gives it a very full appearance. |
|
drip
line
|
The circle
which would exist if you drew a line below the tips of the outer
most branches of a tree or plant. |
|
epiphyte
|
A plant
which grows on another plant but gets its nourishment from the
air and rainfall. They do no damage to the host plant. |
|
erosion
|
The wearing
away, washing away, or removal of soil by wind, water or man. |
|
espalier
|
Process
of training a tree or shrub so its branches grow in a flat pattern. |
|
evergreen
|
A plant
which never loses all of it's leaves at one time. |
|
eye
|
An undeveloped
bud growth which will ultimately produce new growth. |
|
evaporation
|
Process
by which water returns to the air. Higher temperatures speed
the process of evaporation. |
|
fertilizer
|
Organic
or inorganic plant foods which may be either liquid or granular
used to amend the soil in order to improve the quality or quantity
of plant growth. |
|
flat
|
A shallow
box or tray used to start cuttings or seedlings. |
|
foliar
feeding
|
Fertilizer
applied in liquid form to the plants foliage in a fine spray. |
|
forcing
|
The process
of hastening a plants growth to maturity or bloom. |
|
frond
|
The term
used to describe the branch and leaf structure of a fern or
members of the palm family. |
|
frost
|
The condensation
and freezing of moisture in the air. Tender plants will suffer
extensive damage or die when exposed to frost. |
|
germinate
|
The
process of the sprouting of a seed. |
|
girdling
|
The choking
of a branch by a wire or other material, most often in the stems
of woody plants that have been tied to tightly to a stake or
support. |
|
grafting
|
The uniting
of a short length of stem of one plant onto the root stock of
a different plant. This is often done to produce a hardier or
more disease resistant plant. |
|
ground
cover
|
A group
of plants usually used to cover bare earth and create a uniform
appearance. |
|
growing
season
|
The number
of days between the average date of the last killing frost in
spring and the first killing frost in fall. Vegetables and certain
plants require a minimum number of days to reach maturity, so
be sure your growing season is long enough. |
|
hardening
off
|
The process
of gradually acclimatizing greenhouse or indoor grown plants
to outdoor growing conditions. |
|
hardpan
|
The impervious
layer of soil or clay lying beneath the topsoil. |
|
hardiness
|
The ability
of a plant to withstand low temperatures or frost, without artificial
protection. |
|
heading
back
|
Cutting
an older branch or stem back to a stub or twig. |
|
heeling
in
|
Temporarily
setting a plant into a shallow trench and covering the roots
with soil to provide protection until it is ready to be permanently
planted. |
|
herbaceous
|
Describes
a plant with soft rather than woody tissues. |
|
honeydew
|
The sticky
secretion produced by sucking insects such as aphids. |
|
humus
|
The brown
or black organic part of the soil resulting from the partial
decay of leaves and other matter. |
|
hybrid
|
The offspring
of two plants of different species or varieties of plants. Hybrids
are created when the pollen from one kind of plant is used to
pollinate and entirely different variety, resulting in a new
plant altogether. |
|
hydroponics
|
The science
of growing plants in mineral solutions or liquid, instead of
in soil. |
|
I
|
|
|
J
|
|
|
K
|
|
|
lath
|
In gardening,
an overhead structure of evenly spaced slats of wood or other
materials used to create shade. |
|
layering
|
A method
of propagation, by which a branch of a plant is rooted while
still attached to the plant by securing it to the soil with
a piece of wire or other means.. |
|
leaching
|
The removal
or loss of excess salts or nutrients from soil. The soil around
over fertilized plants can be leached clean by large quantities
of fresh water used to 'wash' the soil. Areas of extremely high
rainfall sometimes lose the nutrients from the soil by natural
leaching. |
|
leaf
mold
|
Partially
decomposed leaf matter, used as a soil amendment. |
|
loam
|
A rich
soil composed of clay, sand, and organic matter. |
|
manure
|
Hmmmm......
Organic matter, excreted by animals, which is used as a soil
amendment and fertilizer. Green manures are plant cover crops
which are tilled into the soil. |
|
microclimate
|
Variations
of the climate within a given area, usually influenced by hills,
hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water. (i.e.
when it's raining at your house, and the sun is shining on the
other side of the street) |
|
micro
nutrients
|
Mineral
elements which are needed by some plants in very small quantities.
If the plants you are growing require specific 'trace elements'
and they are not available in the soil, they must be added. |
|
mulch
|
Any loose
material placed over the soil to control weeds and conserve
soil moisture. Usually this is a coarse organic matter, such
as leaves, clippings or bark, but plastic sheeting and other
commercial products can also be used. |
|
native
plant
|
Any plant
that occurs and grows naturally in a specific region or locality. |
|
naturalize
|
To plant
randomly, without a pattern. The idea is to create the effect
that the plants grew in that space without man's help, such
as you would find wild flowers growing. |
|
node
|
The part
of a stem from which a leaf or new branch starts to grow. |
|
organic
gardening
|
The method
of gardening utilizing only materials derived from living things.
(i.e. composts and manures) |
|
organic
material
|
Any material
which originated as a living organism. (i.e. peat moss, compost,
manure) |
|
parasitic
plant
|
A plant
which lives on, and acquires it's nutrients from another plant.
This often results in declined vigor or death of the host plant. |
|
peat
moss
|
The partially
decomposed remains of various mosses. This is a good, water
retentive addition to the soil, but tends to add the acidity
of the soil pH. |
|
perennial
|
A nonwoody
plant which grows and lives for more than two years. Perennials
usually produce one flower crop each year, lasting anywhere
from a week to a month or longer. |
|
perlite
|
A mineral,
which when expanded by a heating process forms light granuals.
Perlite is a good addition to container potting mixes, to promote
moisture retention while allowing good drainage. |
|
pest
|
Any insect
or animal which is detrimental to the health and well being
of plants or other animals. |
|
photosynthesis
|
The internal
process by which a plant turns sunlight into growing energy.
The formation of carbohydrates in plants from water and carbon
dioxide, by the action of sunlight on the Chlorophyll within
the leaves. |
|
pinching
back
|
Utilizing
the thumb and forefinger to nip back the very tip of a branch
or stem. Pinching promotes branching, and a bushier, fuller
plant |
|
pistil
|
The seed-bearing
organ of a flower, consisting of the ovary, stigma, and style. |
|
pollination
|
The transfer
of pollen from the stamen (male part of the flower) to
the pistil (female part of the flower), which results
in the formation of a seed. Hybrids are created when the pollen
from one kind of plant is used to pollinate and entirely different
variety, resulting in a new plant altogether. |
|
potting
soil
|
A soil
mixture designed for use in container gardens and potted plants.
Potting mixes should be loose, light, and sterile. |
|
propagation
|
Various
methods of starting new plants ranging from starting seeds to
identical clones created by cuttings or layering. |
|
pruning
|
The cutting
and trimming of plants to remove dead or injured wood, or to
control and direct the new growth of a plant. |
|
pH
|
Basically,
pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in
your soil. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil,
a soil pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline soil. Soil pH can be tested
with an inexpensive test kit. |
|
Q
|
|
|
rhizome
|
A modified
plant stem which grows horizontally, under the surface of the
soil. New growth then emerges from different points of the rhizome.
Irises and some lawn grasses are rhizome plants. |
|
root
ball
|
The network
of roots along with the attached soil, of any given plant. |
|
rootbound
|
A condition
which exists when a potted plant has outgrown its container.
The roots become entangled and matted together, and the growth
of the plant becomes stunted. When repotting, loosen the roots
on the outer edges of the root ball, to induce them to once
again grow outward. |
|
rooting
hormone
|
A powder
of liquid growth hormone, used to promote the development of
roots on a cutting. |
|
runner
|
A slender
stem growing out from the base of some plants, which terminates
with a new offset plant. The new plant may be severed from the
parent after it has developed sufficient roots. |
|
relative
humidity
|
The measurement
of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. |
|
scion
|
A short
length of stem, taken from one plant which is then grafted onto
the rootstock of another plant. |
|
single
flower
|
A flower
having only a minimum number of petals for that variety of plant. |
|
soil
pH
|
Basically,
pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in
your soil. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil,
a soil pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline soil. Soil pH can be tested
with an inexpensive test kit. |
|
sphagnum
|
A bog moss
which is collected and composted. Most peat moss is composed
primarily of sphagnum moss. This moss is also packaged and sold
in a fresh state, and used for lining hanging baskets and air
layering. |
|
spore
|
The reproductive
cell of ferns, fungi and mosses. (these plants do not produce
seeds) |
|
staking
|
The practice
of driving a stake into the ground next to, and as a support
for a plant. When attaching the plant to the stake, be sure
that it is tied loosely so it doesn't strangle the stem. When
staking a potted plant, the stake should be set into the planter
before the plant is added. |
|
sucker
|
A growth
originating from the rootstock of a grafted plant, rather than
the desired part of the plant. Sucker growth should be removed,
so it doesn't draw energy from the plant. |
|
systemic
|
A chemical
which is absorbed directly into a plants system to either kill
feeding insects on the plant, or to kill the plant itself. |
|
tap
root
|
The main,
thick root growing straight down from a plant. (not all plants
have tap roots) |
|
tender
plants
|
Plants
which are unable to endure frost or freezing temperatures. |
|
tendril
|
The twisting,
clinging, slender growth on many vines, which allows the plant
to attach themselves to a support or trellis. |
|
thatch
|
The layer
of dead stems that builds up under many lawn grasses. Thatch
should be removed periodically to promote better water and nutrient
penetration into the soil. |
|
thinning
|
Removing
excess seedlings, to allow sufficient room for the remaining
plants to grow. Thinning also refers to removing entire branches
from a tree or shrub, to give the plant a more open structure. |
|
topiary
|
A method
of pruning and training certain plants into formal shapes such
as animals. |
|
topsoil
|
The top
layer of native soil. This term may also apply to good
quality soil sold at nurseries and garden centers. |
|
transpiration
|
The release
of moisture through the leaves of a plant. |
|
transplanting
|
The process
of digging up a plant and moving it to another location. |
|
tuber
|
A flat
underground stem which stores food and plant energy and from
which a plant grows. (e.g. Dahlias) |
|
variegated
|
Leaves
which are marked with multiple colors. |
|
vermiculite
|
The mineral
'mica' which has been heated to the point of expansion. A good
addition to container potting mixes, vermiculite retains moisture
and air within the soil. |
|
XYZ
|
|
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A
Glossary of Gardening and Landscape Terms