A

Aeration: The process of loosening soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach plant roots.

Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

Amendment : A material added to soil to improve its structure and fertility.

B

Bolting: When a plant prematurely produces flowers and seeds, often making leaves bitter.

C

Chlorophyll: The green pigment in plants that allows photosynthesis.

Cold Frame:  A transparent enclosure that protects plants from cold weather.

Compost: Decomposed organic material used to enrich soil.

Companion Planting: Growing plants together that benefit each other. learn more

D

Direct Sow: Planting seeds directly into the soil instead of starting them indoors.

Drought-Tolerant: Plants that require little water to thrive.

E

 

F

Fertilizer: A substance added to soil to provide nutrients for plants.

Full Sun: A plant that needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Frost Date: The average date of the first and last frost in a region.

G

Germination: The process of a seed sprouting into a plant.

Greenhouse: A structure that traps heat to grow plants in controlled conditions.

H

Hardening Off: Gradually exposing indoor-grown seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting them in the garden.

Hardiness Zone: A geographic area that indicates a plant's ability to survive winter temperatures.

I

Irrigation:  A system of supplying water to plants artificially.

Invasive Plant:  A plant that spreads aggressively and harms native species.

J

 

K

Kitchen Garden:  A small garden near the home for growing vegetables and herbs.

L

Loam: Ideal garden soil made of sand, silt, and clay.

M

Mulch: A layer of material (like straw or wood chips) added to soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds.

 

N

Native Plant : A plant naturally found in a specific region.

O

Organic Gardening:  Growing plants without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Overwatering:  Giving plants too much water, which can lead to root rot.

P

Perennial:  A plant that lives for multiple years.

Pesticide: A chemical used to kill or repel garden pests like insects, fungi, or weeds.

Pollinator: An insect or animal that helps plants reproduce by spreading pollen.

Q

 

R

Raised Bed: A gardening method using elevated soil beds for better drainage and easier access.

S

Self-Pollinating: A plant that does not need another plant or insects to produce fruit (ex. tomatoes, peas)

Soil pH:  A measure of how acidic or alkaline soil is.

T

Topsoil: The nutrient-rich upper layer of soil.

Transplanting:  Moving a plant from one location to another.

Trellis: A structure, usually in a unique shape is used to support climbing plants like beans, peas, and vines.

U

 

V

Vermiculite: A lightweight, absorbent mineral used in gardening to improve soil by boosting aeration, moisture retention, and root growth. It's great for seed starting, potting mixes, and hydroponics. Vermiculite is pH neutral, sterile, and eco-friendly.

W

Weeding:  Removing unwanted plants from the garden.

 

X

 

Y

Yield: The amount of fruit, vegetables, or flowers a plant produces.

Z

Zero-Waste Gardening: A gardening approach that minimizes waste by composting and reusing materials.