EXOTIC GARDENING • MEMBERS ONLY

Gardening Terminology

This private companion reference preserves gardening terminology from Sheri Ann Richerson's published and historical Exotic Gardening materials.

Browse: A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · T · U · V · W

A

annuals — Plants that grow, flower, and set seed in one season.

B

balanced formula — A fertilizer that contains equal parts of the three plant macronutrients—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—such as a 10-10-10 formulation.

biennials — Plants that produce leaves and roots the first year, and then flower or produce fruit and go to seed and die at the end of their second season.

bolt — To quickly send up a tall flower stalk and set seed.

bottom watering — The process of putting water in an outer tray into which you place potted seeds and seedlings.

browns — Compost materials that are high in carbon and provide energy, such as leaves, woodchips and sawdust, hay and straw, paper and cardboard, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, and soil.

bulb pan — A wide, shallow pot—about twice as wide as it is tall.

C

capillary mat — A method of bottom watering in which a mat of synthetic fabric is placed inside an outer tray holding a small amount of water to absorb moisture and then release it slowly to potted seeds or seedlings that sit directly on it.

clay soil — Soil, characterized by very small particles, which packs together tightly and does not drain well.

cloche — A bell-shaped cover, historically made of glass, that is put over a plant to protect it from frost, heavy rain, or hail.

cold frame — A small, box-like outdoor structure in which gardeners start or grow plants in pots.

complete fertilizer — A fertilizer that contains all three of the primary macronutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

composting — The process of allowing formerly living materials to decompose, or break down.

cool greenhouse — A greenhouse that has a nighttime minimum temperature of 45° to 50°F and a minimum daytime temperature of 55° to 60°F.

cover crop — A crop such as field peas, vetch, or clover planted in a garden area over the winter to suppress weeds, then till under to add nutrients to the soil.

cultivar — A word blended from cultivated and variety. Cultivars are variations on a plant species that show characteristics that remain different than the parent plants over a number of generations.

cultivate — To prepare soil for crops and gardening by breaking it up with a hoe, garden fork, or tiller.

cure — To let produce such as onions, potatoes, garlic, sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkins stand for about two weeks to dry and to harden the skin.

cut-and-come-again — A technique for harvesting leafy vegetables, herbs, and flowers using a pair of sharp scissors to trim off flowers or mature outer leaves, leaving flower buds or the younger, inner leaves and growing point of the plant intact.

D

diatomaceous earth — A naturally occurring, chalk-like rock that crumbles easily into a powder and is formed from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. Works as an effective insect pest control measure.

dibble — A cylindrical garden tool with a pointed end used for making planting holes in soil or potting medium.

direct sow — The process of sowing seeds directly into soil outdoors where you want the plants to grow.

E

epiphyte — A plant with exposed roots that absorb moisture from the air. In nature, epiphytes are non-parasitic plants that grow on damp rocks and tree branches.

exotic — A plant that is not native to this continent, or in a narrower context, is not native to the region in which you live.

F

fallow — A field or garden area not being used, usually to allow nutrients to restore themselves in the soil.

fast compost — Compost made within a season or so by turning the pile weekly to speed decomposition of materials within the pile.

forcing — The process of causing plants to flower out of season, most typically done with bulbs.

freestanding greenhouse — An unattached greenhouse with four walls and a ridge connecting a two-sided roof.

friable — Easily crumbled; used to describe a desirable soil that neither packs together nor sifts through the fingers.

frost cover — A lightweight polyester or polyethylene fabric that lets some water and light through, but insulates plants from extreme cold temperatures.

furrow — A long, shallow trench dug to proper depth for seed sowing.

G

genus — A group of closely related plant species form a genus, or plant family. In botanical names, the genus is the first, capitalized word.

germination — The process of a dormant seed sprouting and growing into a seedling.

green manure — A crop such as clover or alfalfa that is planted in a fallow garden area in spring or summer, allowed to mature, and then turned under in the autumn to add organic matter to soil.

greenhouse — A structure at least the size of a small room, with plastic or glass walls and roof.

greens — Compost materials that are high in nitrogen and provide protein for microorganisms that aid decomposition. Green materials include grass clippings, hedge trimmings, kitchen scraps, and livestock manure.

H

hardening off — The process of setting indoor-started seedlings outdoors in a protected place so the seedlings can gradually adjust to outdoor weather conditions.

hardiness zone — An area characterized by a certain climate that supports certain types of plants. In the United States, each hardiness zone differs by 10°F in terms of the average coldest winter temperatures.

hardscape — The nonliving elements of a garden landscape, including walkways, walls, arbors, benches, statues, fountains, and buildings.

heat sink — A method of collecting and retaining heat in an unheated greenhouse, cold frame, or tunnel house. Containers of water absorb heat from the sun during the day, then slowly release it at night.

heirlooms — Varieties of flowers, vegetables, and small fruits selected over many generations for superior traits. Seeds from heirlooms produce plants like the parent.

humidity — The level of moisture in the air.

humus — The organic matter in the soil; humus is the result of the natural decomposition of leaves and other plant material that takes place in the soil.

hybrid — A named variety of a plant created by breeding or “crossing” two different plants. Hybrids are generally sterile or do not produce offspring like the parents. Contrast heirlooms.

I

incomplete fertilizer — A fertilizer that contains only one or two of the three primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

insecticidal soap — A homemade or commercial substance sprayed on plant leaves to rid plants of insect pests.

integrated pest management — A method of both preventing and controlling pests first by organic means, then by chemical means if other measures fail.

intensive garden — A garden laid out in squares, which are densely planted with vegetables, herbs, or flowers, with a path running around each side of every bed.

intermediate greenhouse — A greenhouse with nighttime winter temperatures from 50° to 60°F and sunny winter daytime temperatures from 70° to as high as 90°F.

L

last frost date — The average date of the last winter frost in a given area, when temperatures dip below freezing and harm plants.

lattice panels — Wood or plastic panels of criss-crossed slats that gardeners use as trellises or dividers or even fences in their yards.

lean-to greenhouse — A greenhouse that is essentially half of a freestanding greenhouse—with one roof surface, one long wall, and two half-gabled ends. It is attached to the wall of a house, garage, or shed.

loamy soil — Soil, characterized by medium-sized particles, that has high organic content and is friable; considered the best type of soil.

long Tom pot — A tall, narrow, tapered pot suited to deep-rooted plants, such as tree seedlings, or plants with a cascading growth habit, such as some chrysanthemums and bonsai.

low tunnels — Garden structures created by securing row covers over hoops that span a single crop row. Typically, such a structure is just high enough to accommodate the height of the crop plants within the tunnel.

M

macronutrients — Nutrients that plants need in large quantities. The primary macronutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The secondary macronutrients are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

microclimate — The climate of a small or restricted space.

microgreens — Salad greens harvested just after they sprout.

micronutrients — Nutrients essential for plant health but needed in only small quantities. The seven micronutrients are boron, copper, iron, chloride, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

N

negative ions — Oxygen particles that lose an electrical charge near moving water or in vigorously circulating air. Negative-ion charged air makes us feel clear-headed and energetic.

nitrogen — One of the three macronutrients all plants need; promotes rapid leaf and stem growth. Chemical symbol: N.

O

offshoots — Stems or branches that grow from the main stem of a plant and develop into new plants.

open-pollinated plants — Plants that are pollinated naturally by wind, birds, or insects.

overwintering — Keeping vegetable plants alive and producing through autumn and into winter.

P

passive cooling — Cooling a structure with naturally circulating air entering through windows, doors, or roof vents.

perennials — Plants that live from 3 to 50 years or more. They reproduce by seed, by underground or ground-hugging stems called runners, or by sprouting plantlets that sprout at the base of old plants.

pH — The measure of a soil’s acidity, based on a scale of 0 to 14. On the pH scale, 0 is extremely acid, and 14 is extremely alkaline. The number 7 is considered neutral.

phosphorus — One of the three macronutrients all plants need; promotes blossoming and fruit production. Chemical symbol: P.

photosynthesis — The process in which plants use energy from the sun to turn water and carbon dioxide into starches and sugars. The plant releases oxygen, a by-product of photosynthesis.

pistil — The female part of a flower, which receives the pollen from the male part.

pit greenhouse — A step-down, cellar-like greenhouse structure sunken into the ground below the frost line. Only the roof of a pit greenhouse shows above ground.

potassium — One of the three macronutrients all plants need; promotes strong stem growth and imparts some extra winter hardiness to plants. Chemical symbol: K.

presoaking — A method of softening hard-coated seeds by steeping them overnight in warm water—about 80°F—before planting.

presprouting — A method of giving difficult-to-sprout seeds a head start by sprouting them on a damp paper towel before planting.

propagation heat mat — A waterproof plastic or rubber mat that encases thermostatically controlled heating cables. When plugged into an outlet, the mat provides consistent, gentle bottom heat to seed flats and pots to aid germination.

R

raised beds — Areas for growing plants that have been mounded up or contained within timbers, rocks, or landscaping stone.

rhizome — A stem that grows horizontally just below ground level and puts out roots and lateral stems to form new plants.

root cellar — A cool, dark, moist place, either indoors or outdoors, in which to store produce or to start or grow certain plants.

row cover — A lightweight polyester or polyethylene fabric that lets some water and light through, but protects plants from insects, harsh weather, and temperature extremes.

row garden — A traditional food-garden style in which plants are laid out in rows alternating with paths.

runner — A shoot that grows horizontally, usually from the base of a plant. When a runner touches ground, it roots and forms a new plant.

S

sandy soil — Soil, characterized by large particles, that sifts through the fingers easily and drains quickly.

scarification — The process of scratching away a small amount of a seed’s hard outer coat so moisture can reach the embryo within to induce sprouting.

seed — A dormant, embryonic plant, complete with root, stem, a kernel of nutrition called an endosperm, and seedling leaves called cotyledons.

self-fertile — A self-fertile plant has flowers with both male and female parts so that it pollinates itself.

shade cloth — A synthetic fabric manufactured to block a certain percentage of sunlight.

side dressing — A method of safely applying fertilizer between rows of crops or in a circle around individual plants, avoiding contact with plants.

slow compost — Compost material that takes up to two years to decompose because the pile is neither turned nor stirred.

soil heating cable — A plastic-coated electric wire attached to a thermostat. Placed under soil in a bed and plugged into a grounded outlet, it warms the soil to the ideal temperature for germination.

soilless potting mix — A sterile blend of sphagnum peat moss and inert, granular ingredients such as Perlite or vermiculite and charcoal that create pores to allow water and oxygen to circulate through the mix.

species — A group of plants with common characteristics that set it apart from other plants of the same genus.

spectrum — The full range of colors in light.

square-foot garden — A garden laid out in a series of squares, usually 4 square feet each, with each square being subdivided into 1-square-foot sections for planting.

stamen — The male part of a flower, which produces pollen.

stem cutting — A piece taken from a growing plant stem, including the growing tip and two or more leaf nodes.

stratification — A process of placing seeds in a moist growing medium and refrigerating them for a specified length of time, depending on the type of seed. Seeds of plants requiring a cold winter dormant period require stratification to initiate germination.

succession planting — The practice of starting a batch of seeds every other week in order to space out crops throughout the growing season and lengthen the harvest.

swamp cooler — A term for a simple cooling unit that fits in a window or greenhouse wall vent. The large fan of the cooler pulls air from outdoors through a water-soaked nylon or excelsior pad, cooling and humidifying the air as it enters a greenhouse.

systemic insecticides — Substances applied to the leaves of plants or watered into the roots to make the plants poisonous to insect pests.

T

tender — A tender plant is one that will not survive exposure to frost or freezing temperatures.

tile (v) — To lay perforated pipe beneath the surface of the soil to promote the drainage of excess water.

top dressing — A method of safely spreading fertilizer during the growing season across the surface of the garden as mulch, avoiding contact with plants.

transplant shock — The condition sometimes caused by transplanting a seedling or plant, characterized by wilting and failure to thrive. Usually due to root damage, transplant shock can stunt or kill a plant.

trap plant — A plant that attracts a particular insect pest, planted next to a row of crop plants.

true leaves — The first set of adult-like leaves that develop on a seedling after the initial set of seedling leaves.

tunnel house — A plastic tunnel-shaped covering constructed over rows of plants growing in the ground; usually tall enough for a gardener to stand upright in.

U

unheated greenhouse — An unheated greenhouse, or a cold greenhouse, doesn’t contain a heat source but does contain windows or vents to vent hot air.

V

vermicompost — Waste excreted by earthworms; also called worm castings. An extremely fertile and desirable substance.

vermiculite — A lightweight, tan, granular material created by heating mica chips until they expand. Vermiculite is light in weight and improves drainage, air circulation, and fertilizer retention in soil.

W

warm greenhouse — A greenhouse with nighttime temperatures between 60° and 70°F, and daytime temperatures reaching as high as the 90s.

water breaker — A wide garden hose nozzle with many small holes that delivers a gentle shower; useful for watering seedlings and delicate plants.

weed cloth — A synthetic fabric used to suppress weeds in garden areas. Weed cloth is permeable so water can get to the plant roots below.

wintersowing — The method of planting seeds in covered (but not sealed) containers in winter and setting them out to endure the elements, just as seeds do in the wild.

Continue Exploring Exotic Gardening

This terminology library is designed to work alongside the rest of the Exotic Gardening reference collection. When you encounter an unfamiliar gardening word while researching a plant, seed-starting method, greenhouse technique, soil, propagation method, or growing practice, return here for the definition.

Related member reference: Explore the Plant Encyclopedia