Glossary- Gardening Terms

sapwood

The layer of wood just under the bark that the sap of the tree is transported through.

scion

A slice of bark and sapwood that has a bud on it. It is then grafted onto another plant.

seed pod

A mature ovary of a flowering plant that has several seeds in it.

seedling

A young, newly sprouted plant.

sepals

A part of a flower. These are the outer covering of the immature flower that protect the flower bud before it opens.

single flower

A flower that has only one layer of petals.

slow-release fertilizer

Fertilizer that releases its nutrients slowly over a period of time in order to avoid burning the plants it is used on.

softwood cuttings

A piece of a plant that is taken from new, green, non-woody growth and is used to propagate the plant.

soil pH

The acidity level of the soil.

soil salinity

How much salt is in the soil in the garden.

soil sterilizing

Using a method to kill all living organisms in the soil.

sour soil

Soil whose acidity level is so high that it actually takes on a sour smell.

sphagnum

A type of moss that grows in bogs and, after it dies and starts to decompose, becomes peat moss.

spore

A seed like reproductive cell that is produced by non-flowering, asexual plants in order to reproduce.

staking

A method by which a plant is held up off the ground, normally by means of a long stick or stake.

stamen

The male part of a plant that creates pollen.

stigma

A part of a flower. The sticky part of the female part of the flower that will hold onto the pollen when it is deposited in the flower.

style

A part of a flower. The tube through which pollen travels to reach the ovary.

succession planting

Planting fast-growing vegetable plants a designated time apart so that you can enjoy a continuous harvest through the season.

succulent

Plants that are able to use their leaves or stems to retain water which can be used later during times of drought. These types of plants are typically characterized by “fat” juicy leaves and stems.

sucker

An offshoot that comes off the root of a plant.

sulphur

A mineral that is added to the soil in order to lower the pH of the soil. It also helps with growing more disease resistant plants.

sweating plants

A method used to break a plant out of a dormant state.

sweet soil

Soil that is very alkaline and has a high pH.

synthetic

A man made substance that is not found in nature.

systemic

This refers to anything that affects the whole plant.