Gardening, like anything, takes practice. Some gardeners have spent years collecting knowledge and skill, others are just beginning. No matter your skill level or gardening-know-how, gardening is a hobby everyone can enjoy. Learning basic terms is a great way to build your knowledge before you get digging. 

Aerate

The process of loosening or puncturing the soil to increase water penetration. You typically aerate your lawn in the fall to help encourage healthy root growth. 

Annuals 

Annuals are plants that complete their entire life cycle (from seed to flower to seed) in one season. All parts of the plants die annually. Annuals are great for providing color for one season. 

Companion Planting

Companion planting is the method of planting different plants near each other for mutual benefit. The most common use is insect and disease control. For example, planting basil near your tomatoes will keep insects from your plants.  

Cultivate

The process of preparing the soil for planting. Typically includes weeding and breaking up the soil surface. 

Deciduous 

Deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves in fall and winter.

Dead-head 

Deadheading refers to the process of removing dead flower heads from your plants. This encourages new blooms to form and also helps keep up plant aesthetics. 

Dividing 

The process of digging up plants and splitting them into two or more sections. This can be done with house plants and garden plants. 

Evergreen

Trees and shrubs that keep their foliage all winter. 

Full Shade

A location that gets less than 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. 

Full Sun

A full sun location is one that gets more than 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. 

Hardiness 

Hardiness describes a plant’s ability to survive outside of ideal growing conditions such as temperature. Some hardy annuals can survive a frost. 

Hardscape

Hardscape describes the use of landscape features such as concrete, stone, walkways or deck. Rather than the use of vegetation. Most landscape designs have a mix of hardscapes and vegetation. 

Hardening Off

The process for acclimating plants to colder temperatures so they build up a tolerance to colder temperatures. This is usually done for greenhouse plants to acclimate them to outdoor conditions. 

Invasive

An invasive plant is one that is not native to the area in which it is growing and can cause economic or environmental harm to the region. These plants typically spread quickly and can often get out of control. 

Part Sun/Part Shade 

A location that is part sun or part shade gets less than 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. 

Perennials

Perennials are plants that survive for many seasons. The top part of the plant dies back in the winter, and new growth appears in the Spring. Many perennials will keep their leaves all year. Perennials bloom at various times throughout the year depending on the variety. 

Native Plant

Any plant that has developed in a region of many many years. It is a vital part of the ecosystem in the area in which it grows. 

Transplanting

The process of digging up a plant and moving it to another location.

Trees

A tree is a long-lasting perennial that is characterized by having a woody stem or trunk and bearing lateral branches. Trees typically grow taller than 30 feet and live for decades. 

Shrubs 

Shrubs are perennial plants that have multiple woody stems or trunks but remain shorter in height. Usually less than 30 feet. Also called a bush. 

Soil Amendments

A soil amendment is anything added to the soil to improve the composition making plant growth easier. Things like compost, lime, sulfur and gypsum are all common amendments. 

Specimen Tree

A specimen tree is a tree planted with the purpose of being a focal point. It typically has a feature such as flowers, bark, size or rarity that make it an interesting addition to a landscape design. 

Variegated

Leaves which are marked with multiple colors.

For more information on getting started in your garden, visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.