Gardening has its own large vocabulary, and when you first encounter it, it can feel intimidating, says Charlotte Tomb
Why do most jobs come with their own vocabulary? Wherever you work, you will inevitably encounter a whole new language, with abbreviations and acronyms for things you have no clue about. Slowly all becomes clear as you learn the ropes.
I thought it would be fun to compile a basic gardening vocab cheat sheet of the odder words – you hear so many of these being flung about and I wasn’t sure of some myself. Hopefully I can clear some up for you:
Amending: Adding organic matter or other substances to soil to improve its structure, fertility, or drainage.
Biennial: Plants with a two-year life cycle, typically producing foliage the first year and flowers and seeds the second year.
Bolting: Premature flowering and seed production in plants, often caused by stress or environmental factors, usually making them unusable.
Cold stratification: A process of exposing seeds to cold, moist conditions to break dormancy and stimulate germination – home growers do this with a kitchen fridge.
Companion planting: Growing different plants together, including for pest control or nutrient enhancement; planting garlic among roses or chives among chrysanths to deter aphids.
Damping off: Fungal disease affecting seedlings, causing them to wilt and die at soil level.
Direct Sowing: Planting seeds directly into the ground rather than starting them indoors.
Espalier: Training plants to grow flat against a wall or trellis in a specific pattern.
Foliar Feeding: Applying fertiliser directly to plant leaves for rapid nutrient absorption.
Green manure: Cover crops grown and then tilled back into the soil to improve fertility and structure.
Half-Hardy Annual: Plants that are able to withstand light frost and cooler temperatures but may require protection during the harshest weather conditions.
Hardening off: Gradually acclimatising indoor or greenhouse-grown plants to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Hardy annual: Plants that complete their life cycle within one growing season, withstanding frost and cold temperatures.
Hardscape: Non-living elements in a garden, such as paths, patios and walls, that provide structure and functionality.
Hybrid: A plant variety resulting from the crossbreeding of two different parent plants, often selected for specific traits.
Marcescence: The retention of dead leaves on trees and shrubs throughout the winter – think beech hedges.
Mulch: Material spread over the soil surface to retain moisture, suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature.
Overwintering: Protecting plants from cold temperatures to ensure their survival until spring.
Perennial: Plants that live for more than two years, regrowing each spring from the same root system.
pH Level: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, affecting nutrient availability to plants.
Pricking out: Transferring seedlings from a densely sown container to individual pots to allow for proper growth and development.
Propagation: The process of creating new plants from seeds, cuttings or other plant parts.
Rejuvenation pruning: Severe pruning to remove old or diseased growth and stimulate new, vigorous growth.
Sucker: Shoots that grow from the base or roots of plants, often removed to prevent overcrowding or maintain desired growth.
Thinning: Removing excess seedlings or plants to provide adequate space for healthy growth.
Underplanting: Planting low-growing or shade-tolerant plants beneath taller plants to maximize space and visual interest.