A Gardening Dictionary? This isn’t what one would call a complete “Webster’s” like dictionary. It’s more like a list of gardening terms that most of us have heard and possibly never understood.
”Gardening On A Dime’s List Of Garden and Gardening Terms and Definitions” would be a more appropriate title, but that would be too long for our navigation menu. So, “Gardening Dictionary” it is.
We welcome any word suggestions and definitions. Please submit a word and help us build a list that can be helpful to all.
Thanks,
Dave & Trish
Aphids
— Small sap sucking insects. They infect foliage and are easily recognized by the sugary honeydew that they secrete that often attracts ants. Can be controlled with applications of insecticidal soap.
Arboretum
— This is a garden with a large organized collection of trees and shrubs. They are specifically grown for scientific or educational purpose.
Bone Meal
— Finely ground fertilizer composed of white or light gray bone that adds nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil.
Bract
— Modified leaves that are found growing just below the flowers are called bracts. Many times the bracts are confused with the flowers.
Cold Frame
— A frame with a some type lid to protect plants during winter or while or propagating.
Companion Planting
— Planting two different plants within close proximity to each other, assuming that traits from each will benefit both plants. Perennials and vegetables are combined to make a colorful, showy/contrasting display or provide pollination.
Cycad
— An ancient group of plants from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Less than 200 species survive today and are grown in the warmer regions of the world. Most are palm or fern-like.
French drain
— A channel leading from an overly wet area or to a dry area to transport water as needed. The deep narrow channel is filled with stone to allow water to pass, but to also provide a firm surface.
Green Manure
— A fast-growing cover crop, like rye grass, that is grown to improve the soil. This cover crop is usually turned over into the soil a few weeks before new planting to add organic matter to the soil.
Green Manure
— Green manure is created by turning under plants that are growing in the surface of a garden bed. When tilled, the plants improve and fertilize the soil.
Green Manure
— Green manure is created by turning under plants that are growing in the surface of a garden bed. When tilled, the plants improve and fertilize the soil.
Hardening Off
— The process of gradually introduce young seedling plants to outdoors conditions. This cannot be done too quickly or the young plants may experience shock. Gradual exposure is necessary to prevent damage to the seedlings.
Lime
— A compound of calcium used to alter soil chemistry by neutralizing acid. Lime adjusts soil chemistry, it is not a fertilizer.
Organic Soil Material
— Any material which began as a living organism. (ex: peat moss, compost, manure).
Vermiculite
— The mineral mica is heated until it expands. The resulting sponge-like granules are then capable of holding both water and air. When added to potting mixtures and container gardens, it improves root growth. Vermiculite has no nutritive value.
Xeriscape
— An example of Xeriscape would be landscaping with drought-resistant plants that are well adapted to a local area. Xeriscaping is often used as part of a water conservation program.
