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Last Updated on August 9 , 2023
Propagation , sprouting , crop gyration … hugel - who ? What does this all MEAN ? Whether you ’re new to gardening or just desire to sweep up on your garden mental lexicon , read along to learn what the most vernacular horticulture terms mean . Then you ’ll be able to dazzle your supporter at the next garden political party , or better follow along with with all of the amazing horticulture tutorials we partake in here !
These are words that every organic gardener should get to know . Yet this is not your intermediate wearisome garden gloss ! In addition to a canonical definition , you ’ll also glean a few fun or helpful tidbit about each gardening terminus .
startle to : A - atomic number 6 , D - H , I - P , R - Z
Aeration
relax dirt to introduce air and better drainage . Can name to the act of tilling , turn or physically aerate soil ( including compost piles ) , or used in reference to the circumstance of existing soil , like : “ this dirt has great aeration ! ” . We add small ( ⅜ ” ) volcanic rock to our produce garden bed soil mix to increase aeration , so that we do n’t want to routinely till the grease thereafter . Perlite , pumice stone , sand , and earthworm activity also increase aeration in soil .
Annual
A flora that discharge its entire lifecycle ( sprouts , fruits and/or flush , and farm seed ) in one class or less . annual must be re - planted each year . Most vegetable crops are annual . If permit , many yearly flowers will ego - seed and arrive back as volunteers the following class .
Bareroot
A plant that is sold in a dormant state with its roots expose ( typically wrap in burlap ) as opposed to in a spate with soil . Barerootfruit treesare a common mass at nurseries in the late fall or early spring .
Beneficial Insects
Insects that play a helpful role in the garden , such as act as pollinators or eating pest louse . Common examples let in bees , ladybeetle , leechlike wasps , gullible lacewings , and praying mantis . Encouraging or releasing beneficial dirt ball is common practice in organic horticulture or part of an integrated pest direction scheme .
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Biodegradable
A cloth that will eventually break down or course moulder under the right conditions – such as with the help of bacterium , kingdom Fungi , and oxygen . constituent affair is biodegradable . Not to be confused with ‘ compostable ’ , because not all biodegradable stuff are ideal for ahome compost tidy sum – such as treat Grant Wood scraps , noxious widow’s weeds , animal carcasses , or preferred waste .
Bolt
A gardening full term for when plants “ go to seed ” . When a plant start to bloom and eventually develop seeds . This typically go on at the end of the season , but environmental tension ( such as extreme rut , unequal sun ) can cause plants to run off early . Once they do , the eating quality , spirit , texture , and life-time rapidly correct .
Bokashi
A character of composting method . Bokashi intend “ work constitutive topic ” in Japanese . As defend to a classical compost formula involving browns , Green , O , and time , theBokashimethod rapidly ferments food waste in an melodic line - tight container with the aid of a specialized inoculum .
Botanical Teas
A type of homemade natural liquid fertilizer that is made by ‘ brewing ’ or steeping soil amendment such asalfalfa meal , kelp meal , and/or neem meal in water . The result is a nutrient - plentiful solution used to water and provender plants . Botanical teas may be passively immerse , or actively aerated ( bubbled ) to increase enzyme natural process and effectiveness . you may also use sprouted seed , relate to as ‘ spud seed tea ’ .
Biennial
A works that live for two years . Typically , biennials focus on lay down a strong root system and leafy growth in the first year of life , follow by fruiting / efflorescence , and travel to seed the 2d year .
Brassicas
The cabbage plant life kinsperson , also known as ‘ cole crops ’ . This includes cabbage , broccoli , cauliflower , bok choy , mustard greens , kohlrabi , Brussels germinate , radish , turnips , and others . Brassicas are broadly grow as cool season crops , though many varieties are heat tolerant and can be grown in summertime in the right conditions .
Chill Hours
The number of hours that a plant or cum require to be give away to temperature between 32F to 45 ° fluorine in fiat to let out quiescency and either sprout , flower , or bear fruit . For example , certainfruit treesneed a range of 200 - 400 chill hour ( more or less depending on change ) each wintertime for successfully bear yield the next year . Also lie with as Vernalization .
Chlorosis
Yellowing plant leaves due to deficient chlorophyll . Chlorosis can be do by a bit of return , including disease , damaged or bound plant roots , extremely alkaline grunge , inadequate drainage , and/or nutrient deficiency .
Cold Frame
A gardening term for a small anatomical structure that brood plants , protect them from very insensate or freezing conditions . Like agreenhouse , cold frames have transparent roof to set aside sun in ( e.g. glass or plastic ) but are built down to ground , more closely shrouding the plants .
Companion Planting
The practice of using specific compounding of plants spring up near one another to provide various benefits , include but not limited to attract pollinators , discourage pest , encouraging healthy growth , or providing nuance / support for one another . Learn more about associate planting here . A free printable associate planting chart is included !
Compost
In the simplest damage , compost is decomposed constitutive thing . It is considered a premium constitutive soil amendment , and offer numerous benefit to soil and plant health . dwelling gardener may either buy compost , orcreate homemade compostfrom thing like collected leaves , straw , kitchen scraps , and garden waste . With the correct balance of biodegradable stuff , a little fourth dimension , and the aid of decomposers ( microorganisms , kingdom Fungi , worms , insect , etc ) raw material break down into a nutrient - deep , territory - like material – finished compost .
Compost Tea
A grade of natural liquid fertilizer that is made by ‘ brewing ’ or steeping finished compost ( described above ) or wriggle castings in body of water . The answer is a mild but alimentary - rich solution used to water and feed plants . Compost afternoon tea may be passively infuse , or actively aerated ( bubbled ) to increase microbic activity . See our actively aerated compost afternoon tea tutorial here !
Cool Season Crops
Vegetable crops that prefer cooler ground and air temperatures to expand , between 40 and 75 degree Fahrenheit . Most are very cold stalwart and frost - tolerant . Cool time of year crops admit the brassica family ( sugar , broccoli , cauliflower ) , leafy greens , and root vegetables ( radish , carrot , common beet , white turnip ) . These are considerably suited for the early spring or drop garden . Some coolheaded time of year crops can tolerate impermanent hot conditions , while others may bolt in passion . In places with soft winters , fall - imbed cool season crop can stay on to grow the right way through wintertime into springtime .
Cover Crops
Plants that are grown with the master purpose to protect or regenerate the soil between time of year or other comestible crops . Cover crop may feed the soil by situate N , and act as a living mulch by reducing wearing , compaction , and runoff . Ryegrass , fava bean , oat , clover , barleycorn , Medicago sativa , and other legume or cereal grains are common cover crop .
Crop Rotation
The exercise of routinely rotating the types of crops that are maturate in each secret plan or garden seam . Good crop revolution can better soil wellness and biodiversity , reduce the need for plant food , and lessen disease and pest pressure by avoiding growing the same crops in the same location yr after year .
Cut and Come Again
A method acting used to continually harvest from a single plant life over an extended period of time , rather than harvesting the intact industrial plant at one clock time ( which vote down the plant life ) . Most applicable to leafy William Green , such as bread , romaine lettuce , or swiss chard . piece a few of the oldest , outermost leave-taking each calendar week instead of cutting out the whole drumhead . See a demonstration video on the gash and come again method here .
Cultivar
Another name for a specific ‘ kind ’ of plant , pick out or bred by humans for particular characteristic . For instance , Dazzling Blue , Madeley , and Curly Scotch are all different cultivars ( diversity ) ofkale .
Damping Off
A horticulture term for when seedlings suddenly droop and die . Their stems typically become very lean near the soil line , causing them to topple . Damping off can be attributed to a number of different fungous diseases , and is most unwashed when seedlings are overwatered , have short breeze flow , or when old pathological garden soil is used tostart new seeds .
Days to Maturity
The time from when seeds are sown until the flora should be ready to harvest . A plant description or semen mail boat will usually outline the specific varieties ’ expected development timeline ( also including sidereal day to germinate / sprout ) , though dissimilar forethought and growing conditions can lead to some variation .
Deadheading
The praxis of remove spent or dying flowers from plants once the blush are past their prime . Regular deadheading creates a tidy appearance , reduce source spread , and also encourages more new flower to bloom . However , if you destine tosave seed from annual flowers , it is best to allow the bloom to become amply brown and dry while it is still on the works before deadheading it .
Deciduous
Plants that lose their leaves during the surrender to winter months , and regrow in spring . A gardening terminus that is opposite of ‘ evergreen ’ .
Determinate
Determinate means ‘ of limited time ’ , and also a growth substance abuse where a plant ’s master stem and branches will slow down or staunch growth once it begins to bloom and bear yield . A garden term that is most often used to distinguish betweentypes of tomatoes(determinate versus indeterminate ) , but also used to describe the growth habits of beans plants and others . Determinate tomatoes and bush bean plant outride more compact , and hold all of their yield over a shorter flow of clock time . Indeterminate tomatoes and terminal beans continue to originate and bear fruit on larger flora over a protracted stop of time .
study more about how to train or prune determinate vs indeterminate plants here .
Direct Sow
To plant semen now in the grime outside in their final maturate location , as oppose to start seeds in small-scale containers ( inside or in a greenhouse ) and transplanting them as seedlings later .
Dirt
Do n’t call your precious garden soil ‘ dirt ’ ! It is not the same affair ! Dirt is barren of the living organisms , nutrients , and well - equilibrate composition present in healthy ground ; the thing ask to successfully grow plants .
Dynamic Accumulators
A permaculture construct for certain plants that are reported to have an exceptional ability at suck up nutrient from the dirt and stack away them in their tissues . Popularly used as green mulch , in compost , compost Camellia sinensis , homemade fertilizer , born medicine or raw consistence caution product . Examples of dynamic accumulators admit comfrey , tailwort , milfoil , horsetail , lambsquarter , and blowball . Most are late - rooted or have a taproot . Sometimes also have-to doe with to as ‘ biodynamic accumulators ’ .
Espalier
A works pruning and training technique that produce a wide of the mark , flat social structure . usually used for fruit trees . dandy for pocket-sized spaces and against structures , fences or wall for a unique visual impingement .
Foliar Feeding (Foliar Spray)
The process of spraying plants , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or bush with a fine mist of liquid fertilizer ( or other limpid amendment ) from a atomizer . Plants have the ability to absorb food more quickly through their leaves and vascular system than through their roots in the soil . Pesticides may also be applied through a foliar spray .
Frost Date
A horticulture term used to describe either the average first date ( decline ) or last appointment ( spring ) that your area receives frost . The days between are your most robust spring up season . Planting instructions ordinarily pertain to these dates , such as “ sow in seeds outdoors 2 weeks before your last bounce frost particular date ” . Or , “ transplant seedlings 6 workweek before the first evenfall frost date . ”
Full Sun
in general refers to a minimum of 6 60 minutes or more of direct sunlight
Germination
When a seminal fluid break quiescency and burgeon forth its first ontogeny ; the growth of a new seedling from a seed .
GMO
Stands for ‘ genetically modified being ’ . Some plants and germ are genetically qualify by world in a research laboratory setting for prime timber , such as pesticide impedance . GMO “ Roundup ready ” Zea mays and soy are prize examples . Generally lour upon ( and thought to be dangerous ) in the organic farming and rude wellness communities . you may find a full list of the place we purchase garden seeds fromhere – all of which have necessitate theSafe Seed Pledgeagainst GMOs .
Grafting or Grafted
A horticulture proficiency when a cut of meat portion of a plant is joined or coalesce to another – to grow together as one plant . A common exercise where a strong , disease - immune , or otherwise ideal down in the mouth portion ( the rhizome ) is fuse with various upper portions ( the scion ) . For instance , to engraft a specific miscellanea of apple onto a different hardy apple rhizome . The resulting flora will bring forth fruit true to the scion used .
Green Manure
Refers to certain plants or crop that are grown exclusively to be turned into the soil or allowed to decompose on the soil surface as mulch to enrich the soil with nutrients . A few works often maturate as green manure include clover , oat , buckwheat , winter wheat , beans and peas . exchangeable benefits and uses as dynamic accumulators and get over crop .
Hand Pollination
When humanity aid in the pollenation process by physically transfer pollen from one bloom or plant to another . This can be done either using a small tool ( rouge brush , cotton swab ) or with the flower itself . We activelyhand - pollinate zucchiniand other crush plants to insure fruit develops , and forestall end putrefaction .
Hardening Off
A horticulture term for the physical process of readying warm seedlings that were evoke indoors ( or other protect conditions ) to be planted alfresco . The summons usually involves step by step display seedlings to conditions such as current of air , cold and/or direct Sunday over the period of a hebdomad or more , so they can become progressively strong and resilient . See step - by - step harden off instructions here .
Hardiness Zone (USDA Hardiness Zones)
A arrangement produce by the US Department of Agriculture . Areas in the United States are grouped and designated into particular planting or hardiness zones ( 3a through 11b ) base on similar climatical conditions . The zones are used to delineate what plan grow well in what areas , as well as supply counselling on when to plant what . The system can be can be more or less misleading because it is mostly based around Robert Frost escort and cold temperature , but does n’t take into history other variables between location like intermediate gamy temperatures , humidity , or precipitation .
instruct more about hardiness geographical zone here – include how to find your zone , and an update 2023 planting zona map . Then get a free Homestead and Chillplanting calendarfor your zona !
Heirloom
Refers to a plant or assortment of vegetable that is at least 50 days sometime . Furthermore , the seeds must be either open - pollinated or self - pollinate to be considered heirloom , not a hybrid . An heirloom form normally has a meaningful story behind it , such as a story of being passed down within a residential area , civilisation , farm , or fellowship – much like a family “ heirloom ” would .
Hugelkultur
Pronounced Hoo - gul - culture , hugelkulturmeans J. J. Hill culture or hill mound . A eccentric of garden bed style that utilizes collected instinctive material such as logs , branch , leave-taking , pinecones , or other constitutive matter to provide bulk below a bed of grime . As the bulky material break down , they release food and become a part of the soil too . In a raised garden bed place , filling the lower part of the layer with bulk natural material and then adding grunge on top is considered hugelkultur . see hugelkultur best practices and how to make a hugelkultur garden bed here .
Humus
Another word for finished compost . Once natural constituent cloth such as leaf , food scraps , or other garden barren are fully decomposed , they ’re considered humus . Humus is gloomy , nutritious - rich , and improves the moisture retentivity and overall condition of filth .
Hybrid
seed that are created through the cross - pollenation between two different smorgasbord or species of plant . Cross - upbringing may pass naturally , but is often done in a master setting or intentionally by man with the goal of combine beneficial attributes from each industrial plant . For model , for lifelike disease electrical resistance or higher yield . intercrossed ejaculate are usually denoted as F1 or F2 , which means Filial or ‘ first nestling ’ – as in the first multiplication of germ produced from breeding . Hybrids are not GMO , and also different from candid - pollinate seeds . Seeds produced from hybrid plants are not likely to ‘ breed truthful ’ and therefore are n’t dandy for come - saving .
Indeterminate
A gardening term used to discover a plant that continues to grow in size and bear fruit over a longer period of prison term , as opposed to a definitive plant that is shorter lived with a more hard fruiting period . Most often used in reference to vining tomato variety that will produce love apple throughout the entirety of the growing season .
Integrated Pest Management
An approach to managing garden pests in an organic , sustainable manner that focus on minimizing health , economic and environmental risks . It involves a power structure of conclusion and actions , include name the cuss , assess the severity of the trouble , and using a diversity of preventative , biological , cultural , physical pest mastery measures before resorting to chemical substance intervention .
Korean Natural Farming (KNF)
An alternative natural farming practice that emerged in the sixties in South Korea . KNFfocuses on building land and industrial plant animation by promoting the growth of indigenous microorganisms ( bacterium , fungus , nematode and protozoon ) . This is done by using fermented Camellia sinensis ( ferment plant succus or FPJ ) and other lifelike concoctions , and nullify chemical fertilizer or pesticides .
Leggy
A gardening terminal figure to describe to a fault tall , stretched out seedlings . Leggy seedlings are not ideal , as they ’re usually more weak and prone to toppling . foreclose leggy seedlings by providing ample bright ignitor . Seedlings stretch and become marvelous when they ’re in search of effective Light Within , and will lean towards the strongest light they ’re allow for . The root word of most long-legged seedlings can be partially buried , once they ’re properlyhardened off . Check outthis articleon the top 9 seeded player starting mistakes to invalidate – and how to chasten them !
Loam
regard the ideal character of soil for grow food for thought and plants . Loamy grunge is a well - balance mix of sand , silt , and remains . Therefore , it also possess good moisture retention and drainage properties . grunge that contains too much cadaver or silt is often mixed with other soil or stain components ( e.g. gumption ) to achieve a more loam - like consistency .
Macronutrients
The element nitrogen , phosphoric , atomic number 19 , calcium , Mg , and sulfur are macronutrients that are essential to embed health and ontogeny . These are commonly bestow to the soil through amendments and/or cover crops . ( See ‘ NPK ’ below )
Micronutrients
The elements boron , Cl , copper , iron , Mn , molybdenum , and zinc are the seven micronutrients indispensable for healthy works growth . These can be add to the grease through compost , organic matter , and rock and roll dust .
Mulch
Any material that is placed on the surface of otherwise bare soil . Mulch concentrate corroding and runoff , suppresses green goddess , increases wet retentiveness , and protect the dirt and plant life source . Seethis articleto learn more about mulching practices , orthis guidethat explores the pros and yardbird of 8 different mulch materials , such as leaves , composition board , compost , straw , and more .
Mycorrhizae
‘ Myco ’ means fungus and ‘ rhizae ’ means source . Mycorrhizae are specialised fungus kingdom that colonize the root system of plant to constitute a mutually beneficial or symbiotic relationship . They act as extension service of the root system , increase the surface surface area and exchange of nutrient and piss between the soil and the plant ’s roots . We often immunize the soil around raw plants withmycorrhizaeby either thinly dusting the root ball or watering with a mycorrhizae solvent after transplanting young seedlings .
Nightshades
TheSolanaceaeplant family that includes tomatoes , potatoes , Madagascar pepper , and mad apple . Nightshade leaves are deal mildly toxic so the leaves are not dependable to eat , while most other common garden plants ( brassicas , carrots , beets , Japanese radish , turnips ) have comestible leaf .
Nitrogen-fixing
When nitrogen is taken in from the atm ( melodic line ) and turn into stored nitrogen in soil , where plant can then utilize the nitrogen to support growth . The process is facilitated by specialized bacteria ( rhizobia ) that colonise plant roots . Legumes and other crops are peculiarly in effect at fixing N , including peas , trefoil , alfalfa , vetch , fava bean , flax , lentils , ryegrass , and soya .
No Till Gardening
A gardening philosophy or style where the grease is disrupted as little as potential , and is not by design tilled or turned over every time of year as in traditional Department of Agriculture . till grunge leads to a going of land structure , compaction , increased runoff and erosion . In dividing line , let the soil go undisturbed preserves the living land food web , and can increase stain birth rate , plant wellness , and productivity . Also known as ‘ no dig ’ horticulture . We actively practice no - till gardening , and cut plants out at the end of the season ( rather of pulling out the roots).Learn more here !
N-P-K
stand for Nitrogen , Phosphorus and Potassium , three essential macronutrients that are essential for plant health and growth . You will see the “ NPK proportion ” listed on fertiliser containers , such as 8 - 2 - 1 ( a high - N plant food ) or 4 - 4 - 4 ( a well - balanced fertilizer ) . In general , nitrogen promotes robust leafy green growth , phosphorus is essential for flower and fruit development , and atomic number 19 play a role in overall plant resilience , nutrient utilization , root ontogeny , and photosynthesis .
Open Pollinated
semen that will generally “ breed true ” ( raise materialisation or so identical to the parent industrial plant ) when the plants are pollinated by another plant of the same kind . Good for seed - rescue and consistence . Yet if open - pollinated industrial plant are cross - pollinated by a standardized flora of a dissimilar mixture ( e.g. two unlike type of squash ) , the saved seeds may not cover true .
Organic Gardening
A style of horticulture that focuses on grow hefty plant in the most raw and good means possible . Organic gardener and Farmer nullify the use of toxic , chemical , or otherwise semisynthetic fertilizers and pesticides . Instead , filth and flora wellness is plunk for with things like compost , manures , integrated pest direction , beneficial insects , and born soil amendments .
OMRI
TheOrganic Materials Review Instituteis a nonprofit organization that certifies whether sure agricultural stimulus are safe to apply in organic husbandry . If you see “ OMRI - licence ” on a product , that means it is reckon satisfactory to use in an organic garden . However , there are often other natural solutions to try out before using man - made products !
pH
In interpersonal chemistry , the pH scale is used to determine how acid or alkaline something is . The figure 7 represents a indifferent pH. The lower the pH , the more acidic . The higher the pH phone number , the more alkaline . In gardening , the pH of soil is often considered ( including try out or adjusted ) to satisfy the ideal growing conditions of special plants . Most common crop opt a slenderly acidic soil of 6.0 to 7.0 .
Perennial
The gardening terminus for plants that can raise or live for more than two years . In freeze climates , perennials may seem to die back in the winter but will regrow in the fountain .
Permaculture
Permaculture is a principle that focuses on the designed , thrifty design and maintenance of agriculturally - generative ecosystems ( include garden spaces ) so that they mime the multifariousness , stability , and resiliency of born ecosystems . Examples ofpermacultureprinciples let in pee harvest , re - wilding of spaces , compost , regenerative agriculture , and residential district resilience .
Pollinator
Anything that aid in the transfer of pollen between plant life or flowers , including but not restrain to bee , butterfly stroke , birds , bats , insects , the idle words , humans , or other animal . The Brobdingnagian majority of plants rely on pollinator to successfully multiply – and give rise edible crops !
Polyculture
The practice of growing many type of plant in one garden bed , container , or space – including a mix ofcompanion plants . Growing a broad variety of flora produce biodiversity in your garden , attracts good insects , and boil down the chances of far-flung devastation by pest or disease that typically inflict the same crop . It also helps to balance the nutritionary demand placed on soil . Polyculture is in dividing line to the monoculture we see ( growing a huge swath of just one harvest , such as corn ) common in conventional or commercial-grade farming operation .
Potting Up
The act of moving a plant life from a smaller container into a larger one . Typically done with seedlings as they grow bigger , to avoid becoming root attach and stunt . Also applies to houseplant or other potted plants .
Propagation
The process of growing ( make ) unexampled plants through any variety of methods , include from source , cuttings , graft , or other plant section .
Root Bound
A horticulture terminus used to describe a plant , shrub or tree that is growing in too pocket-size of a container that in turn restricts root and stunt plant growth . Some rootbound works can recoup by beingpotted upinto a larger container or the priming coat . However , some spartan cases can exit the plant for good stunt .
Rhizome
An hugger-mugger radical that raise horizontally from thickening rather than vertically like most other plant life . gingerroot andturmericare deterrent example of edible rhizomes . Mint is a notoriously invasive plant because it spreads through vigorous underground rhizomes , also sometimes call ‘ runners ’ .
Season Extender
A horticulture term for any structure or cock used to protect industrial plant from harsh experimental condition and thereby extend the growing time of year . Most unremarkably used in book of facts for shelter against frost , but may also be use to things that deflect extreme heat and sun , such asshade cloth . Examples admit cold frame , cloches , greenhouse , andhoopsthat brook various row masking material like plastic orfrost blankets .
Self-Seed or Self-Sow
When a plant acquire or spreads of course from come that was dispersed or dropped by a parent plant without human intervention . If tolerate to go to ejaculate in the garden , mostannual flowerswill drop seed around them and then readily develop new flowers in the same neighbourhood the following year . Also referred to as ‘ military volunteer ’ .
Sheet Mulch
The summons of mulch an sphere with wide and fairly unanimous ‘ weather sheet ’ of material , such as composition board , burlap , newspaper , axial motion of painters newspaper , or synthetic materials like credit card or landscape cloth . Provides like benefits as classical mulching , but can be longer - lasting and even more effective at asphyxiate weeds . Good for pathways , turgid open spaces , organise the soil in a new garden outer space , cover a ground over wintertime , or smothering grass .
Slow Release Fertilizer
Fertilizer that will slowly cheapen in the soil to make fresh nutrients useable to plants over fourth dimension instead of a strong boost of nutrient at once . gritty ordry ‘ meal ’ case fertilizersare usually slow going , often applied as a top - grooming and then watered in . These types of plant food generally pose less peril of ‘ burning ’ or shocking plant compared to limpid fertilizer .
Soil Amendments
material that are added to ground to increase the health , nutrient content , moisture retention , and/or filth structure . rude ground amendments admit thing such as dry out plant or creature material ( e.g. alfalfa meal , kelp repast , neem meal , bone meal , or crustacean meal ) , compost , worm casting , lava sway or perlite , peat moss , greensand , gritty fertilizers , and tilt dust .
Soil Food Web
The important and symbiotic family relationship between land and the web of living thing within it . Members of the ground food web admit good micro-organism , fungi , protozoa , nematodes , earthworms , mycorrhizae , and other arthropods and critter . They work together to erupt down organic issue , innovate nutrients , and ameliorate soil aeration , drainage and moisture retentivity . Also known as ‘ constitutive animation soil ’ .
South-Facing
For gardener in the northerly cerebral hemisphere , a south - facing garden is an ideal option to maximize sunshine vulnerability in all seasons and throughout the day . ‘ South - facing ’ have in mind the garden space is site in an sphere that can take in unobstructed Dominicus from the south ( the direction where most sunlight emanates from ) . Planting a garden along the northerly side of a house or fencing would be the opposite of south - cladding .
Succession Sowing (Succession Planting)
A horticulture term for continually plant Modern seeds or seedlings in a staggered timeframe over a growing time of year . The goal of succession planting is usually to offset harvest particular date to supply a slower , continual harvest over many months instead of all large amounts of crops mature all at one clock time . This method is particularly effective with quick - developing vegetable like radish , bush beans , or baby greens .
Rooting Hormone
Substances that help stimulate root growth on fresh cuttings during the propagation cognitive process , while also protecting the new cut from disease . Rooting internal secretion product can be purchased in apowderor gel configuration . Aloe veraand cinnamon powder are also effective at encourage root growth in cutting .
Terminal Bud
The portion of a plant where new growth originates from , most often in the center or top ‘ loss leader ’ . If the concluding bud is cut , it often make the plant to stop or slow up up growth and can encourage branching instead . When harvest home leafy greens using the ‘ slue and come again method ’ ( defined above ) you want to avoid slue the terminal bud .
Thinning
A gardening terminal figure for separating or reducing the number of plants in one space or container . For representative , by cutting out or gently pulling aside special seedlings that are too crowded . Good thinning practicesand spacing promotes fast and hefty growth .
Transplanting
The process of relocate plants from one location to another . Most often used to key when young seedlings are taken out of their starter containers and embed alfresco . Could also refer to planting a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , or potting a plant from a modest container into a larger one .
Top Dressing
A horticulture term used to describe the number of applying amendments or fertiliser to the top of the soil , as match to tilling it in .
Vermicompost (Vermicomposting)
Means compost with worms . This is typically accomplished in a dedicated closed system , such as a worm bin or tiered louse farm . The louse are routinely fed garden waste or kitchen scraps in appropriate type and measure to keep a goodish worm bin . In turn , thecompost wormseat the waste material to bring forth one of the most wonderful forms of compost useable – insect casting ( aka , insect poop).Learn how to create and maintain a simple , cheap worm bin here .
Variegated
Plants that exhibit patch or streak of change colors , most often white and green . It seldom occurs in nature ; most plants that routinely contain diversification have been bred or propagated by humans to contain this trait . Thought to be due to a random genetic variation , and does n’t always transport on to succeeding seeds .
Vernalization
The process of exposing seeds or incandescent lamp to a prolonged period of cold temperatures . The goal is to gratify the works ’s born requirement for cool so as to break dormancy and successfully sprout , blossom , and/or pay fruit . man unnaturally execute vernalization by storing seed or bulbs in infrigidation or deep-freeze to imitate seasonal chilling minute . The exact metre and temperature required varies between flora , yet is typically several week between 40 and 32 ° F . Many nut and yield trees along with somevarieties of ail , milkweed , and flower bulb require vernalization . Also sleep with as ‘ thrill hour ’ .
Volunteer
A gardening terminal figure for a plant that germinates and develop with piddling to no help from the gardener . They typically develop from a plant that went to seed antecedently in the general neighbourhood . However , raspberry or other animals may also circularise the seeds . Synonymous with self - sown or self - seed .
Warm Season Crops
Vegetables that call for consistently tender conditions to originate , will flourish when temperatures are 75 ° F or above , and do not tolerate hoarfrost or dusty conditions unless they ’re protect . plant life warm time of year crops when the soil and air temperature are above 50 ° F , and will be warmer for several month ahead as the plants mature . ardent season crop include tomatoes , melons , summer squash ( zucchini ) , winter squash ( butternut , pumpkin ) , beans , peppers , corn , seraphic murphy , cucumbers , and eggplant .
Worm Castings
Another word for vermicastings , or worm poop . When food pass through a worm ’s consistence ( such as kitchen scraps in a insect compost bin ) , it is broken down into hard , extremely - bioavailable nutrients and beneficial microbes for plant . Though potent , worm castings are very mellowed , slow - release , and ca n’t ‘ burn down ’ industrial plant as other animal manure or fertilizer can . As a territory amendment , worm castings also increase soil ’s wet retention ability and improve drainage . Sometimes referred to as “ black gold ” .
Xeriscaping
The drill of landscape painting design which utilize aboriginal , drought broad plant that utilise little - to - no water by from what the born climate render . It is most popular in the western US where the weather can be more hot and dry . Xeriscaping also comprise rock , stone , and other hardscaping features .
That’s a wrap!
Wow . How about that for a crash course in garden vocabulary ? Are you quick for your pa quiz now?Just pull the leg of . But I hope you picked up on a new gardening full term or two ! I ’m quite the nerd , so I deeply enjoyed putting this leaning together for you all . Let me know if I missed any good ones , and thank you for tuning in !
