Gardening Glossary: Terms & Definitions A–Z

Soil with pH < 7. Blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons thrive; many veggies prefer closer to neutral. #acidic-soil

Loosening compacted soil so roots get air and water moves freely. Worms, broadforks, and core aerators help. #aeration

Soil with pH > 7. Common in arid regions. Mediterranean herbs like lavender do well. #alkaline-soil

Anything mixed into soil to improve structure or nutrition—compost, manure, lime, gypsum, sand. #amendment

Sprout, flower, set seed, and die within a single growing season (zinnias, lettuce). #annual-plants

Hormones that drive root formation and stem elongation; used in rooting powders for cuttings. #auxins

Trees, berries, and roses sold dormant with no potting mix—plant early spring while still dormant. #bare-root

Leafy growth year one; flowers and seeds year two (carrots, parsley, foxglove). #biennial-plants

Using predators and parasites—like lady beetles or nematodes—to reduce pests. #biological-control

Greens send up a flower stalk from heat or stress; leaves turn bitter. #bolting

Spreading seed across the surface for meadows, cover crops, or microgreens. #broadcast-seeding

Dormant buds used for budding fruit trees and roses onto rootstock. #budwood

Starting eyes indoors for a head start in cool climates. #chitting

Loss of green color, often from iron deficiency or poor drainage; check pH and watering. #chlorosis

Low box with clear lid that traps heat; transition space for hardening off seedlings. #cold-frame

Pairing plants that support each other—basil with tomatoes, corn with beans. #companion-planting

Kitchen scraps and yard waste turned into soil food; improves structure and moisture retention. #compost

Clover, rye, vetch grown to feed soil, suppress weeds, and prevent erosion. #cover-crops

Changing bed locations each year to reduce disease and pest buildup. #crop-rotation

Snip faded flowers to push more blooming and tidy plants. #deadheading

Trees and shrubs that shed leaves seasonally (maples, apples). #deciduous-plants

Planting seeds straight into the bed rather than starting indoors. #direct-sowing

Cutting clumps (daylilies, hostas) into sections to rejuvenate and multiply. #division

How quickly water passes through; poor drainage suffocates roots. #drainage

Delivers water to the root zone, reducing waste and foliar disease. #drip-irrigation

Shaping fruit trees along wires or walls to save space and boost sun exposure. #espalier

Plants that keep leaves through winter (boxwood, rosemary). #evergreen-plants

Combined evaporation and plant transpiration; informs smart watering schedules. #evapotranspiration

Organic or synthetic inputs supplying N-P-K and micronutrients. #fertilizer

Applying diluted nutrients to leaves for quick uptake; best in cool hours. #foliar-feeding

Average spring/fall frost timing used to plan planting and protection. #frost-dates

Tiny flies in potting mix; allow drying between waterings and use sticky traps. #fungus-gnat

Seed wakes and sends out root and shoot under the right moisture/temperature. #germination

Attaching a scion to rootstock to combine strengths; common in fruit trees. #grafting

Cover crops incorporated to boost organic matter and nutrients. #green-manure

Lightly used water (sinks, showers) diverted to irrigate ornamentals where legal. #greywater

Gradually exposing seedlings to sun and wind before planting out. #hardening-off

Guides winter survival by lowest average temperatures for your region. #hardiness-zones

Older varieties grown for flavor and diversity; seeds come true each year. #heirloom-seeds

Fully decomposed material that improves structure, moisture, and nutrient holding. #humus

Continue to grow and fruit until frost; need staking or trellising. #indeterminate-tomatoes

Observe first, prevent next, intervene last—with the least-toxic method that works. #ipm

Growing complementary species together for space use and pest confusion. #intercropping

Grouping plants with similar water needs to avoid over- or under-watering. #irrigation-zones

Roots bent upward in planting hole—common with seedlings planted too shallow or cramped. #j-rooting

Metallic green beetle that chews foliage; hand-pick in the cool morning. #japanese-beetle

Measures light color; 5000–6500K is common for seed starting. #kelvin

Round raised bed with a notch for easy reach and compost basket in the center. #keyhole-bed

Popular landscape roses known for disease resistance and repeat bloom. #knockout-roses

Tall, weak stems from low light; lower light distance or add supplemental light. #leggy-seedlings

Ideal blend of sand, silt, and clay—drains well yet holds moisture. #loam-soil

Slow-rotted leaves that boost water-holding and soil life. #leaf-mold

Calcium carbonate or dolomitic lime used to reduce acidity; apply per soil test. #lime

Boron, iron, manganese, zinc, etc.—small amounts, big roles in plant health. #micronutrients

Straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. #mulch

Fungi that partner with roots, improving nutrient and water uptake. #mycorrhizae

Probe that estimates soil moisture at root depth to prevent overwatering. #moisture-meter

Primary nutrient for leafy growth; excess can reduce fruiting. #nitrogen

Building soil by layering organic matter on top rather than tilling. #no-dig

Microscopic roundworms; some damage roots, others control pests. #nematodes

Pollinated naturally; saved seed grows true to type. #open-pollinated

Compost, manures, leaf mold—feeds soil microbes and improves structure. #organic-matter

Adding seed to existing stands to fill gaps—lawns, cover crops, wildflower meadows. #overseeding

Helping plants make it through cold using mulch, covers, or indoor shelter. #overwintering

0–14 scale; most vegetables prefer 6.0–7.0 for nutrient availability. #ph

Live multiple seasons (asparagus, lavender, peonies). #perennial-plants

Supports roots, flowers, and fruit set; too much can lock out micronutrients. #phosphorus

Removing a growing tip to encourage bushier plants (basil, mums). #pinching

Bees, wind, or hand pollination move pollen so fruits and seeds form. #pollination

Supplies K for vigor, disease tolerance, and fruit quality. #potash

Peat/coir, perlite, bark, compost—designed for containers and drainage. #potting-mix

Moving tiny seedlings to roomier cells or pots to grow on. #pricking-out

Removing stems or branches to shape plants, improve light, and increase fruiting. #pruning

A pause in growth due to environmental conditions; resumes when conditions improve. #quiescence

Quicklime is caustic and not for gardens; use agricultural (garden) lime to raise pH safely. #quicklime-vs-garden-lime

Framed soil above grade for better drainage, access, and soil control. #raised-beds

Horizontal stems that send up shoots and roots (ginger, iris). #rhizomes

Pot-tight roots that need teasing apart and a bigger container. #root-bound

The rooted part that provides vigor/disease resistance to the grafted scion. #rootstock

Light fabric that protects from cold and insects while letting in light and water. #row-cover

Scratching/soaking to help hard seeds absorb water and sprout. #scarification

Cold treatment that breaks dormancy for species like milkweed and many trees. #seed-stratification

Plants that drop seed and return on their own (cilantro, calendula). #self-seeding

Applying fertilizer or compost around growing plants. #side-dressing

Black tarp used to smother weeds and pre-sprout weed seeds before planting. #silage-tarp

Lab or kit analysis guiding lime and fertilizer needs. #soil-test

Planting in waves for continuous harvests rather than one big flush. #succession-planting

Strong central root (carrot, dandelion) that dives deep for moisture. #taproot

Crumbly, well-structured soil that’s easy to plant and promotes root growth. #tilth

Spreading compost or amendments on top without digging them in. #top-dressing

Relocating seedlings or plants to their final position with minimal root shock. #transplanting

Frames or netting for climbers like peas, beans, and cucumbers. #trellis

Shade-tolerant plants growing beneath taller trees and shrubs. #understory

High-N fertilizer; use carefully to avoid leaf burn and runoff. #urea

Containers, vertical systems, and micro-beds for patios, balconies, and rooftops. #urban-gardening

Leaves with white, yellow, or pink patterns; can be sun-sensitive. #variegation

Red wigglers convert scraps into rich castings—great for seedlings. #vermicomposting

Unplanned seedlings from last year’s drops; thin or transplant as needed. #volunteer-plants

Fewer, deeper sessions train roots down and increase drought resilience. #watering-deep

Use row covers, shade cloth, and windbreaks to protect tender crops. #weather-shielding

Any plant where you don’t want it; mulch and sharp tools are your friends. #weed

Drooping from heat, drought, root damage, or disease; diagnose before watering more. #wilt

Designing with drought-tolerant plants and mulch to cut irrigation needs. #xeriscaping

Plant tissue that moves water and minerals from roots upward. #xylem

Everyday landscape tasks—mowing, mulching, pruning, planting. #yardening

Cards that attract and catch flying pests like whiteflies and fungus gnats. #yellow-sticky-traps

Raked gravel, stones, and carefully placed plants to create calm and focus. #zen-garden

Stunted growth and small leaves; verify with a soil test before amending. #zinc-deficiency