Glossary- Gardening Terms

upside down gardening

Growing a vegetable plant upside down, normally from a hanging pot or five gallon (19 L.) bucket.

urban gardening

Gardening in a city environment. This term typically refers to gardening indoors, on a balcony or in a allotment garden.

variegated

When the leaves of a plant have multiple colors on the same leaf.

variety

A variation of a species of plant.

vermiculite

The material that results from mica being heated. The mica expands and becomes lightweight and will retain water and air, making it an excellent soil additive.

volatilization

Releasing toxic gases from the leaves in order to prevent nearby plant growth.

wood chips

A common type of mulch that is made of wood that has been chopped up into small pieces.

xanthophyll

The chemical that causes yellow coloring. Almost all plants contain xanthophyll but typically the xanthophyll is covered up by more intense chlorophyll.

xeriscape / xeriscaping

Using drought-tolerant and low water plants to create a landscape that needs very little water. This type of garden design is commonly used in areas that have little rainfall as a way to reduce stress on the local ecosystem.

xeriscaping

A method of landscaping that aims to use spare amounts of water while still being please in the eye.

xylem

The vascular system of a tree. This layer and the cells in this layer transport water and nutrients to the different parts of the tree.

xylem

The vascular system of the plant that transports water through the plant.

yard

A defined area around a house that is the property of the house.

zinc

A trace mineral that helps a plant produce essential enzymes and with cell division.

zone

A region that is defined by the similarities in first and last frost dates across wide geographic areas. Zones are used to help gardeners predict the likelihood that a plant will survive in the area that they live.