Basic Glossary for Beginning Gardeners

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Posted by @Sharon on
New gardeners often hear words that are unfamiliar to them. Here's a short list of basic gardening terms and their definitions.

Gardening is exciting and for most of us it brings with it much more than the usual hobby.  It brings exercise, peace, therapy, and a sense of comfort.  For some of us, the communion with nature simply settles our souls.

In alphabetical order, here are some common gardening terms that you hear being used regularly among gardeners.  For a new gardener, this list might be very helpful:

*Annual:  any plant that completes its life cycle in one year. It won't return from its roots, but you might be able to save its seeds.

*Bare root:  dormant plants that have been removed from the ground in preparation for shipping.  All soil is removed, and usually the foliage, stalks or branches are also cut back.  Roses are often sold bare root.

*Biennial:  a plant that completes its life cycle in two years.

*Bolting:  a condition usually caused by sudden excessive sun or heat, in which a very young plant produces flowers or seeds prematurely and without having reached healthy growth.

*Botanical name:  the Latin scientific name of a plant.  The botanical names are part of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and are more specific when identifying a plant.  A plant may have many common names that vary from place to place, and a common name might be duplicated among other plants, but it will have only one botanical name.  The botanical name will not be assigned to any other plant.

*Bulba short, modified, underground stem surrounded by fleshy modified leaves that contain stored food for the plant within.  For example, onions and tulips have roots that dangle from the lower end of a bulb.

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Bare root roses Daffodil bulbs

*Compost:  a mix of decaying organic materials used for soil amendment; ex:  kitchen scraps make great compost.

*Cutting:  a way of creating a new plant (propagation). A part of a plant is cut and usually dipped in rooting compound and is then planted, eventually growing into a new plant.

*Deadheading:  the act of pinching or cutting off dead flowers.  This prevents the plant from going to seed.

*Direct sowing:  planting seeds at the site where you want them to grow (as opposed to starting seeds in a controlled setting and then transplanting to a site).

*Germinate:  to sprout.

*Hardy:  a plant that won't be destroyed by exposure to frost.

*Naturalize:  to plant at random with no planned pattern.

*Perennial:  a plant that lives indefinitely through multiple growing seasons.

*Pinching off:  removing new growth on a plant in order to promote bushier growth.

*Pruning:  cutting off leaves or branches (within limits) to remove dead or diseased areas of a plant.  It also helps air and light flow to and through the plant.  Some people use pruning to regulate a plant's size, but irresponsible pruning can harm the plant.  It's best to understand the needs of the plant before attempting to prune it.

*Rhizomes: horizontal, usually underground stems that often send out roots and shoots from their nodes; ex:  irises have rhizomes.

*Rootsthe part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, carrying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant by way of numerous branches and fibers.

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Root of a redbud Iris rhizome Daylily tubers

*Seedling:  a plant that has just emerged from its seed.

*Staking:  the process of driving a support of some kind into the ground right beside the plant. This will hold it upright as it grows and will help support its heavy blooms or fruit. Stakes can be metal, wood, bamboo, or any other material that won't harm the plant and will support its weight.  The plant can be tied to the stake.

*Thinning:  reducing the number of excess seedlings by discarding the weakest ones.  This process will increase air and light to those remaining seedlings, which will increase their ability to grow and thrive.

*Transplant:  to remove a plant from one place and replant it in another.  This also includes transferring a plant from a pot into the ground.

*Tubera swollen, fleshy, usually underground stem of a plant, bearing nourishment for the plant and buds from which new plant shoots will grow.  Daylilies and potatoes are examples of plants that have tubers.

*Zone:  the hardiness zone; a geographically defined area in which a specific plant is capable of growing, determined by climatic conditions within the area.  Click here to find your growing zone.

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Daylilies are hardy perennials that grow well in my Zone 7a.  The botanical name for daylilies is Hemerocallis.

~*~

There are many, many more gardening terms, but you will learn them as you go.  And if you find one you aren't familiar with, then bring it to our Ask a Question forum.  I'll bet you'll find the answer in no time at all.

Happy, happy gardening!

 
Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Excellent Glossary for Beginners! by flaflwrgrl Oct 8, 2013 5:24 PM 18

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