Glossary- Gardening Terms

acid soil

A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil (a soil pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline). Basically, pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil.

acre

A area of land totaling 43,560 square feet.

activated charcoal

Occasionally used to help remove herbicides from the soil.

aerate

Puncturing the soil to help with water penetration.

air layering

A method of plant propagation done by cutting into the bark of a plant in order to cause new roots to form.

alkaline soil

Soil with a pH higher than 7.0.

allelopathic

Excreting a substance that prevents other plants from growing in a plants vicinity.

amendments

Things that you add to the soil in order to improve it for plant growth.

annual

A plant that germinates, grows, flowers, produces seeds in a single growing season before dying.

anther

A part of a flower. The part of the flower that holds the pollen and it part of a male flower structure.

anthocyanin

Pigments in plants that make them look red to blue.

anti-desiccants

A substance sprayed on evergreen leaves to help prevent water loss during the winter.

aquatic plants

Plants that grow or live in water.

arbor day

An organization dedicated to planting trees.

arboretum

A collection of trees and shrubs that are grown for scientific or educational purposes.