A Gardener's Dictionary- This is a glossary of gardening terms and their meanings. Garden knowledge is helpful when communicating with greenhouse staff and other gardeners!
Organized in alphabetical order. Click on one of the letter sections to take you to the desired gardening term.
Interplanting - Arranging and planting plants in the garden that have different blooming times, and habits of growth. This allows extended blooming times, and possibly less disease.
Layering - A method used for propagating a plant. This is done by rooting a branch that is till attached to a plant. When roots have formed the new plant is cut away from the mother plant to form a new plant.
Leaf mould - Leaves that have decomposed. Than used as compost. Great for mulching in the colder seasons.
Loam - Soil that is rich with organic material, loose, and good drainage, but moist. It is known as the ideal soil for growing plants.
Medium - Soil or potting mixture.
Microclimate - Localized areas; in a garden or yard, that has different climate conditions from the area around it, allowing plants to survive in your garden that would not usually grow well.
Mulch - A protective covering of material placed on the soil. It is a good way to help keep weeds from growing in your garden. Mulch also can help keep moisture in the soil, keep plant roots warm in the spring and fall, or cool in the summer. Mulch is made from organic or inorganic material. Such as, ground bark, sawdust, leaves, or straw.
Organic matter - Material that is made from any decomposed plants or animals.
Overwinter - To help a plant live through the winter season allowing it to live on into another growing season.
Peat pot - Containers made from compressed peat moss. Biodegradable, therefore seedlings can be planting in the garden without removing the peat pot.
Perennial - A plant that will germinate, grow, bloom, and die down for the winter, but grows in spring again. Year after year. Annuals and perennials can be grouped into many different specific plant needs, growing conditions or characteristics. For example, Annuals such Marigolds, Sunflowers, and Zinnias all grow well in a garden that gets full sun. These would be known as Annuals for a sunny garden. This helps gardeners to choose the right plant for their gardens.
Perlite - A mineral that expands due to heat which turns into light porous granules. Adding perlite improves soil mixes because the granules help retain water and air.
pH - Soil has a pH value which measures acidity and alkalinity on a scale from 1 - 14; 7 being neutral. The lower the number the more acidic the soil is. The higher the number the more alkaline the soil will be. pH Scale: (acidic) 1-14 (alkaline), 7 being neutral.
Pinching - The removal of new growth from a plant to encourage a more bushy, fuller plant. The word 'Pinching' came from the fact that you use your thumb and fore finger to pinch the new growth off the plant instead of a tool.
Propagation - Any reproduction of a plant.
The Photo Gallery
This free picture posting gives you as gardeners, an opportunity to share your favorite home garden photos with others. Click here to enter a photo.
