Basic Agricultural Terminology
khetesh
Acre?
Is it a part of your body that’s sore?
It’s the unit of land measurement we use in agriculture. An acre
is 43,560 ft2.
Animal Unit?
Is it an essential part of an animal’s reproductive tract?
It’s a common animal denominator based on feed consumption.
Typically, one mature cow represents one animal unit (A.U.).
Also, government regulators are using A.U. at 1,000 lbs. to
determine animal density on farms.
Backgrounding?
Is it plowing up the field in back of the barn?
It’s the feeding and management of slaughter animals during the
period between weaning and finishing.
Bloat?
Does this refer to the expanded condition of the waistline in older
farmers?
This is the abnormal accumulation of gases in ruminant animals
which causes the upper left side of the animal to swell. This can be
fatal.
Carrying Capacity?
Would this be how much weight a farmer can carry, or drag at least
10 yards?
This is the number of animal units, or animals that a pasture can
sustain over a given period of time.
Carryover Nitrogen?
Is this last year’s leftover bags of fertilizer the farmer finds
in the barn?
This refers to the nitrogen leftover in the soil from a previous
crop, usually a legume.
Crop Residue?
Is this the visible undigested plant material in cow droppings?
This is the plant material left in the field following harvest.
Cultipacker?
Is this the title of a farm employee who packages direct farm
products?
This is a farm tool that is pulled behind the tractor to tighten-
up the soil following plowing/disking/seeding. It looks like a large
metal roller with grooves.
Dry Matter?
Does this refer to the dried manure tracked onto the living room
carpets of most livestock operations?
This is the non-water part of animal feed.
Flushing?
Does this refer to the act of eliminating solids in an indoor
waste management system?
This is the practice of feeding a higher than normal level of
energy at breeding time to increase ovulation. This is commonly done
in sheep and swine operations.
Fodder?
Is this farm slang for father?
Typically refers to the parts of the corn plant (stalk and leaves)
leftover in the field following grain harvest.
Forage?
Does this refer to the period in U.S. history known as the Farming
Era?
This is vegetable matter (plant material) in a fresh, dried, or
ensiled state used to feed animals.
Freshen?
Is this the act of taking a shower, or bath after a
hard day on the farm?
This more often refers to cattle giving birth (calving) and
thereby beginning a lactation cycle. A fresh cow has recently given
birth.
Greenchop?
Is this a term commonly used to describe spoiled meat?
This is freshly cut forage fed directly to animals.
Harrow?
Is this farm slang for the part in one’s hair?
This is a tool pulled behind the tractor to smooth out, or level a
field after disking and prior to seeding.
Haylage?
Is this a word often used as a greeting in very rural areas of
Frederick County?
This is forage ensiled at between 35-55% moisture. Silage is
forage ensiled above this moisture.
Inoculum?
Is this farm slang used in reference to the urban population?
This is the packaged bacterium used to treat legume seed prior to
seeding to insure good nodule (knot) formation on the roots. The
bacteria live in this nodule.
Is this a mental condition where farmers are so focused on
nitrogen that they ignore all other plant nutrients?
This is the process where free nitrogen is converted into a form
plant can utilize. This typically refers to the symbiotic process
involving bacteria and leguminous plants.
Nitrogen Fixation?
Paddock?
Is this the farm term for the cushion used on the tractor seat?
This is the subdivided section of a pasture.
kheteshwar borawat
Agriculture Glossary
To find the term you are looking for, choose below:
- Alphabetically:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z -
Major New Mexico Pests:
Plant Diseases | Weeds | Insects
Our thanks to Glossarist.com for including our glossary in their Agriculture Dictionary page. If you are looking for definitions of technical, professional or specialist terms in any subject this is the place to go.
Alphabetical Definitions
A
- acequia
- (crop science) An irrigation ditch or canal.
- acre-foot
- (crop science) The volume of water that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot.
- ADG
- (animal science) Average daily gain. The amount of body weight gain in a day.
- agribusiness
- Producers and manufacturers of agricultural goods and services, such as fertilizer and farm equipment makers, food and fiber processors, wholesalers, transporters, and retail food and fiber outlets.
- AI
- (animal science) Artificial insemination. Impregnating an animal through artificial means, not through natural breeding.
- annual
- Any plant which completes its entire life cycles and dies within one year or less.
aquifer A stratum of earth or permeable rock that stores significant quantities of water.
Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) (dairy science) A farmer-owned milk cooperative that purchases milk from New Mexico dairy producers. Southern Region headquarters in Arlington, Texas. - AUM
- (animal science) Animal Unit Month. The amount of forage required by a mature cow (or other grazing animal) and her calf for one month.
B
- barrow
- (animal science) A male pig castrated before reaching sexual maturity.
- BFP
- (dairy science) Basic formula price, determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that serves as a basis for pricing milk in the United States. The BFP is calculated monthly based on previous BFP and the price of cheese.
- biological control
- Controlling plants, diseases, and animal pests using natural enemies; or inhibiting the reproduction of pests by methods that result in the laying of infertile eggs, etc.
- biological diversity
- (wildlife science) Richness and abundance of species, and variety of natural communities. Both the number of species and the number of individuals within each species are important in considering the extent of biological diversity in an area. Also referred to as biodiversity.
- boar
- (animal science) A sexually mature male hog.
- breeding stock
- (animal science) Sexually mature male and female livestock that are retained to produce offspring.
- browse
- (forestry, wildlife science) Leaves, buds, and woody stems used as food by deer and other animals.
- brush
- Commonly refers to undesirable shrubs and small trees.
- BST
- (dairy science) Bovine somatotropin, commonly referred to as growth hormone. Produced naturally by the cow, stimulates metabolic functions related to growth and milk production.
- bull
- (animal science) An uncastrated male bovine.
C
- calf crop
- (animal science) The number or percentage of calves produced in a herd within a given year relative to the number of cows and heifers exposed to breeding.
- canopy
- (forestry) The uppermost layer in a forest, formed collectively by tree crowns.
- chisel
- (crop science) A farm implement used to break through and shatter compacted or otherwise impermeable layers of soil.
- class 1 milk
- (dairy science) Milk that is used for fluid use.
- clearcut harvest
- (forestry) A harvest and regeneration technique removing all the trees (regardless of size) on an area. Clearcutting is commonly used with shade-intolerant species such as Douglas fir or lodgepole pine, which require full sunlight to reproduce and grow well. Clearcutting produces an even-aged stand of trees.
- combine
- (crop science) A self-propelled or tractor-drawn machine which cuts, threshes, and cleans the standing crop which moving across the field. It is adapted to harvesting all the small grains, soybeans, grain sorghums, peanuts, beans, etc. In some areas, the crop is cut and placed in windrows by a swather (windrower), and a combine with a pickup attachment gathers the grain and threshes it at a later date.
- contour farming
- (crop science) Field operations such as plowing, planting, cultivating, and harvesting on the contour, or at right angles to the natural slope to reduce soil erosion, protect soil fertility, and use water more efficiently.
- cord
- (forestry) A stack of wood that has a gross volume of 128 cubic feet. A standard cord measures 4 feet x 4 feet x 8 feet.
- cover
- (wildlife science) Vegetation or other natural shelter serving to conceal wildlife from predators.
- crossbreeding
- (animal science) The mating of animals of different breeds. For example, breeding a Hereford cow with an Angus bull.
- cull
- (animal science) To select inferior animals from the herd for potential sale.
- cultivar
- The name officially given for all cultivated varieties of plants.
- cultivator
- (crop science) A machine used to till the upper portion of the soil, primarily used to destroy weeds or form a moisture retaining mulch.
D
- deciduous tree
- (forestry) A tree that loses its leaves or needles during the fall and winter.
- DHIA
- (dairy science) Dairy Herd Improvement Association. A nationwide system of performance testing and records processing for dairy producers.
- disk
- (crop science) An tractor-drawn implement composed of circular plates arranged at an angle with the soil. Used to prepare the soil for seeding.
- ditch rider
- (crop science) Manages water for an irrigation district. This person is responsible for delivering water through ditches to farmers for irrigation.
- dormant / dormancy
- A biological process in which a plant ceases most growth activities and simply maintains existing tissue.
- dowsing (water witching)
- Using a forked stick or wire to locate underground water.
- drill
- (crop science) A farm implement for planting seeds which forms a small furrow, deposits the seed in dribbles, covers the seed, and packs soil over it. It can also deposit fertilizer, lime, or other amendments into the soil, alone or with the seed.
- drip irrigation
- (crop science) A method used to place irrigation water near plants' roots through pipes or tubes. This reduces water evaporation and runoff, but may not be cost effective for all crops.
- dry cow
- (dairy science) A cow that is not lactating.
- dry period
- (dairy science) A rest period between lactations when a cow is not lactating, normally 60 days in duration.
- dryland farming
- (crop science) Farming on non-irrigated land. Success is based on rainfall, moisture-conserving tillage, and drought-resistant crops.
E
- entomology
- The study of insects and their environments.
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- A document evaluating the probable consequences of a proposed project that might significantly alter the environment. Required by the National Environmental Policy Act (1969) for any such project a U.S. government agency plants to undertake, regulate, or fund. An EIS is released in draft form (DEIS) to other agencies and the public for comment and review.
- ephemeral stream
- A stream that flows only sporadically, such as after storms.
- estrus (heat)
- (animal science) The recurrent, restricted period of sexual receptivity in livestock. Non-pregnant cows and heifers usually come in heat 18 to 21 days following their previous estrus.
- evergreen tree
- (forestry) A tree that retains some or most of its leaves, or needles, throughout the year.
- ewe
- (animal science) A female sheep of any age.
- exotic species
- A non-native plant or animal species introduced by humans, either deliberately or accidentally.
F
- fallow
- (crop science) Cropland left idle during the growing season.
- fed (or fat) cattle
- (animal science) Cattle that have been finished, usually in the feedlot, and are ready for slaughter.
- feeder cattle
- (animal science) Cattle past the calf stage that have weight increased making them salable as feedlot replacements.
- feedlot
- (animal science) A confinement facility where cattle are fed to produce beef for the commercial trade. May be under a roof or outdoors.
- field corn
- (crop science) Any variety of corn that is grown extensively in large fields primarily for livestock feed, as contrasted with the horticultural varieties, such as sweet corn or popcorn. Most field corn is of the dent variety.
- filly
- (animal science) A female horse less than three years old.
- firebreak
- (forestry) An existing barrier, or one constructed before a fire occurs, from which all or most flammable materials have been removed.
- fleece
- (animal science) The wool coat of a sheep.
- foal
- (animal science) A young horse of either sex, less than one year old.
- forage
- (animal science) Herbaceous plants or plant parts fed to domestic animals.
- forbs
- (animal science, wildlife science) Green broadleaf weeds.
- forestry
- The science, art, and practice of managing and protecting tree and forest resources for human benefit.
- fungicidesee "pesticide"
- futures contract
- (agricultural economics) An agreement between two people one who sells and agrees to deliver, and one who buys and agrees to receive a certain kind, quality, and quantity of products to be delivered during a specified delivery month at a specified price.
G
- gelding
- (animal science) A castrated male horse.
- gilt
- (animal science) Sexually mature female hog, prior to having her first litter.
- green manure
- (crop science, gardening) A crop planted with the intention of turning it under for use as organic matter.
- groundwater
- Water within the earth that supplies wells and springs.
H
- hardwood
- (forestry) A term describing broadleaf trees, usually deciduous, such as oaks, maples, cottonwood, ashes, and elms.
- heifer
- (animal science) A young female bovine.
- herbicide
- see "pesticide"
- home range
- (wildlife science) The area within which the activities of an animal are confined. The boundaries may be marked, such as by scent marking, and also may be defended, depending on the species.
- homogenization
- (dairy science) The process of physically reducing the particle size of fat in milk, thus enabling even distribution of fat throughout the milk.
I
- insecticide
- see "pesticide"
- integrated pest management (IPM)
- Using the best features of chemical, biological, and cultural controls in an overall pest control program.
J
No terms available at this time.
K
No terms available at this time.
L
- lactation
- (animal science, dairy science) The time between calving that a cow produces milk, usually 10 months.
- lamb
- (animal science) A young sheep, less than one year old.
- land-grant universities
- State colleges and universities started from federal government grants of land to each state to encourage further practical education in agriculture, home economics, and the mechanical arts.
- legume
- (crop science) A family of plants, including many valuable food and forage species, such as peas, beans, soybeans, peanuts, clovers, and alfalfas. They can convert nitrogen from the air to build up nitrogen in the soil.
M
- mastitis
- (dairy science) An infection and inflammation of the udder in cows.
- Mid America Dairymen (Mid Am)
- (dairy science) A farmer-owned milk cooperative that purchases milk from New Mexico dairy producers. Headquarters in Missouri.
- milking parlor
- (dairy science) A facility that functions to extract milk from a cow by means of vacuum.
- milo
- (crop science) A small drought-resistant grain sorghum with compact bearded heads of large yellow or whitish seeds.
- mutton
- (animal science) Meat from sheep that are over one year old.
N
- nematicide
- see "pesticide"
- net farm income
- (agricultural economics) The money and non-money income form operators realize from farming as a return for labor, investment, and management after production expenses have been paid. Net farm income is measure in two ways net farm income before inventory adjustment and net farm income after inventory adjustment. Net farm income doesn't include changes in the value of inventories such as crops and livestock at the end of the year.
O
- oil seed crops
- (crop science) Primarily soybeans, peanuts, cottonseed, and flaxseed used for the production of oils for cooking, protein meals, and nonfood uses. Less common oil crops include sunflower, safflower, castor beans, and sesame.
- open
- (animal science) A term commonly used to refer to a non-pregnant female.
P
- pasteurization
- (dairy science) The process of heating milk to kill pathogens that may be harmful to humans.
- pasture
- (animal science) A fenced area of forage, usually improved, on which animals are grazed.
- pesticide
- Used to destroy pests. Fungicides (destroys fungus), herbicides (destroys plants), insecticides (destroys insects), and nematicides (destroys nematodes) are all pesticides.
- perennial
- (crop science) A plant that lives for more than two years.
- permanent pasture
- (animal science) Pasture of perennial or self-seeding annual plants maintained through several years of grazing.
- Photosynthesis
- (crop science, forestry) The process plants use to change air and water into food, using the sun's energy.
- polled
- (animal science) Naturally hornless cattle; having no horns.
- Posilac
- (dairy science) Trade name for rBST marketed by Protiva, a unit of Monsanto.
- power-take-off (PTO)
- (crop science) A powered shaft, usually extending from the rear of the tractor and driven by the tractor motor, to supply rotative power to an attached or trailing implement such as a combine, hay baler, mower, etc.
- Progeny
- (animal science) The offspring of animals.
- protein supplement
- (animal science) A feed containing protein, vitamins, and minerals which is fed to livestock to provide a complete diet.
Q
No terms available at this time.
R
- ram (or buck)
- (animal science) A male sheep of any age.
- rangeland
- (animal science) A large open land area on which livestock wander and graze. The native vegetation is mainly grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
- rBST
- (dairy science) Recombinant BST, produced by genetically modified bacteria. Increases milk yield of dairy cows when administered properly.
- riparian
- Pertaining to the area along the banks of a river, stream, or lake.
- rotation (or crop rotation)
- (crop science) The growing of different crops, in recurring succession, on the same land.
- row crops
- (crop science) The rows or planting beds are far enough apart to permit the operation of machinery between them for cultural operations.
S
- section
- A surveyed parcel of land containing 640 acres one square mile.
- Seedstock
- (animal science, plant science) Pedigreed or well-bred livestock which is maintained for breeding purposes. A specially selected strain of plants or seeds which are to be used as parents for future generations.
- selection harvest
- (forestry) Harvesting individual trees or small groups or trees at periodic intervals (usually 8 to 15 years) based primarily on their vigor and age. Selection harvesting perpetuates and uneven-aged stand.
- silage
- (animal science) A crop that has been preserved in a moist, succulent condition by partial fermentation in a tight container (silo) above or below ground. The chief crops stored in this way are corn (the whole plant), sorghum, and various legumes and grasses. The main use of silage is in cattle feed.
- sire
- (animal science) The male parent. To father or become the sire of.
- sorghum
- (crop science) A cereal grass used mainly for feedgrain or silage.
- sow
- (animal science) A sexually mature female hog, after having her first litter.
- soybeans
- (crop science) A legume crop, native to the Orient, used mainly in the United States for high protein feed and oil.
- stag
- (animal science) A male bovine castrated after puberty.
- stallion
- (animal science) An unaltered (uncastrated) male horse.
- stand
- A recognizable area of plants that is relatively homogeneous and can be managed as a single unit.
- steer
- (animal science) A male bovine castrated early in life, usually as a calf.
- stockers (or stocker cattle)
(animal science) Heifers and/or steers that are being grown on pasture or other forage for later sale as feedlot replacements.
T
- total mixed ration
- (animal science, dairy science) A diet where all the feed ingredients are blended together to ensure every bit is nutritionally balanced.
U
No terms available at this time.
V
No terms available at this time.
W
- watershed
- An area of land that collects and discharges water into a single stream or other outlet. Also called a catchment or drainage basin.
- wether
- (animal science) A castrated male sheep.
X
No terms available at this time.
Y
No terms available at this time.
Z
No terms available at this time.
Major New Mexico Pests
Plant diseases
- beet curly top virus
- Occurs in chile. Causes severe stunting and chlorosis. Results in reduced yields. Spread by leafhoppers.
- fusarium basal rot
- Occurs in onions. Fungal disease that attacks bulbs and causes a watery rot.
- late blight
- Occurs in potatoes. This was the causal agent of the Irish Potato Famine. A soil-borne foliar disease that can also infect potato tubers. Infected plants die.
- phymatotrichum root rot
- Occurs in pistachios and grapes (sometimes in alfalfa or cotton). Can kill plants within two weeks. Plugs water-conducting tissue of the plant. Only found in three states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
- phytophthora root rot (chile wilt)
- Occurs in chile. Causes complete plant loss late in the season. Severe under conditions of excess moisture. Develops rapidly and can kill whole field if conditions are favorable.
- pink root
- Occurs in onions. Fungal disease that attacks roots, reducing bulb size and quality.
- powdery mildew
- Occurs mostly in chile and grapes. Foliar disease that causes leaf curling and premature leaf drop. This exposes the fruit to the sun, resulting in sun scald.
- web blotch
- Occurs in peanuts. Leaf disease that reduces yield and quality. Predictive computer models can help producers time fungicide applications to control the disease.
Weeds
- broom snakeweed
- Perennial. Same family as the sunflower. Shrub-like plant that competes with range vegetation and is poisonous to livestock.
- field bindweed
- Perennial with very deep roots related to the morning glory. Located throughout the state. Has a showy trumpet flower. Takes over areas with low water use such as the edges of fields. A problem in central and northern orchards.
- Johnsongrass
- Perennial grass that is a problem in many crops. Introduced and tested as a forage species. Didn't produce well as forage plant but became a nuisance.
- kochia
- Same family as tumbleweed and has the same characteristics.
- leafy spurge
- Perennial with very deep roots. Contains a milky sap that is irritating and poisonous to some animals. Crowds out native plants in grasslands, meadows, and stream banks. Potentially a big problem since it reduces plant diversity in native areas.
- locoweed
- Mostly perennial plant from the legume family. Occurs mostly on rangeland and is poisonous to livestock.
- nutsedge (or nut grass)
- Perennial. Two types: yellow and purple. Major weed of any irrigated system (home or farm). Primarily found in southern New Mexico. Very difficult to manage.
- puncture vine (goat heads)
- Annual plant notorious for its seed pods that can puncture automobile tires and lower the quality of hay and forage crops. Move by attaching to anything that comes by. Difficult to manage.
- tumbleweed (Russian thistle)
- Annual plant that breaks away from its roots in the fall and is driven by the wind, releasing seeds. Approximately 200,000 seeds per plant.
Insects
- Africanized Honey Bee
- "Killer bees." A threat to people involved in outdoor activities throughout the state including hiking, hunting, fishing, and farming.
- alfalfa weevil
- A small, dark brown weevil that is problem in alfalfa.
- aphids
- Problem in almost all crops. Pierce leaves and suck out plants' juices.
- beet leafhoppers
- Spread beet curly top virus in chile.
- black fly
- Problem with horses. Thought to spread vesticular stomatitis.
- boll weevil
- Cotton pest.
- cotton bollworm
- Cotton pest.
- codling moth
- Small moth that is problem in fruits and vegetables.
- grasshoppers
- Many varieties throughout the state. Problem on New Mexico rangeland because the insects eat grass.
- horn fly
- Small black fly that is a blood-sucking pest of cattle.
- house fly
- A two-winged fly that can carry many diseases. Problem in the state's dairies.
- pecan nut casebearer
- Pecan pest.
- pepper weevil
- Chile pest that is a concern in New Mexico.
- pink bollworm
- Cotton pest.
- sheep ked
- Wingless fly that is a problem in sheep. Moves about through contact.
- squash bug
- Problem in pumpkin and other vegetables.
- stable fly
- A two-winged fly that bites severely. Problem in the state's dairies.
- white grubs
- The larval stage of May and June bugs. An annual problem in lawns and turf.
Have a lot of fun and success.
yours kheteshwar
always with you...
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kheteshwar borawat
Glossary
Acid soil T
This is suitable for most plants and necessary for Rhododendrons and a number of other "ericaceous" plants. The pH is below 7.
Alkaline soil
Has a pH above 7 and most plants except those described as "ericaceous" will grow well in it.
Alpine
Term used to describe small plants suitable for growing in rock gardens.
Annual
A plant that germinates, grows, flowers, sets seed and dies within one growing season.
Aquatic
A plant that grows in water, either submerged or with its flowers and leaves floating on the surface.
Bedding plants
Generally annual or tender plants used in quantity for a temporary garden display in summer and autumn/winter.
Biennial
A plant survives for
just two growing season. It germinates and forms leaves during its
first year and produces flowers and sets seeds in its second year
before dying.
Bisexual
Refers to a plant that contains male and female parts within the same flower.
Blanching
Excluding light from
certain vegetables, including the stems of celery and leeks, and the
leaves of chicory, in order to maximise tenderness and flavour.
Bog garden
An area where the
soil is waterlogged either naturally or artificially, creating a
suitable environment for growing plants that thrive in moist soil
Bolting
Some plants flower or
produce seed prematurely before they have put on sufficient growth and
reached maturity. This is often caused by poor soil or lack of water.
Bract
A modified leaf at the base of a flower stalk. It may be brightly coloured as in the case of Poinsettias.
Broadcast
To sow seeds evenly over a wide area of soil rather than in rows.
Bud
A condensed shoot, protected by overlapping scales, from which leaves or flowers develop.
Bulb
A storage organ, usually underground, made up of fleshy scales wrapped
around each other from which flowers and leaves are produced.
Bulb fibre
A mixture of peat, oyster shells and charcoal in which bulbs are grown for indoor decoration.
Bulbil
A small immature bulb often formed at the base of mature bulbs or, as in some lilies, on stems above ground.
Bush
A woody plant with no obvious main shoot and with branches forming near ground level.
Calyx
The name for the outer protective covering of a flower.
Cane
A thin but tough woody stem that often has a pithy or hollow centre, as in the case of the stems of bamboo and raspberry.
Catch crop
A fast growing crop
planted between slower maturing crops, or grown in the interval between
harvesting one crop and planting another.
Catkin
A pendulous or erect flower spike made up of bracts, each of which contains a single sex, stalkless flower.
Certified stock
Plants which DEFFRA (Department of Fisheries, Food & Rural Affairs) has checked are free from certain pests and diseases.
Chalk
A soft type of limestone which when finely ground can be used to reduce soil acidity.
Chlorosis
The loss or poor production of chlorophyll in a plants leaves, resulting in them loosing their green colour.
Clay
Describes a soil made up of
minute mineral particles, which give the soil a sticky texture. Clay
soils are particularly heavy and need to be drained or lightened by
adding organic matter to make it easier to cultivate.
Climber
A plant that produces
long shoots requiring support. They generally produce aerial roots,
tendrils, leaf stalks, suckers or twining stems to attach themselves to
supports such as walls, fences or trellis.
Cloche
A structure used to protect early crops outdoors or to warm up the soil prior to planting.
Clone
One of a group of identical plants all raised from a single parent by means of vegetative propagation.
Clove
Usually applied to one of the small sections that make up a garlic or shallot bulb.
Coir
Processed coconut fibre often used in potting compost as a partial of complete substitute for peat.
Composite
A plant which is a
member of the compositae (daisy) family, in which the flowers appear to
be single but are in fact made up of many small florets.
Compost
A term used to describe two different materials:
- Seed and potting composts are specifically formulated mixtures used for raising seedlings and young plants in containers.
- Garden compost is formed by rotting down vegetable matter and is used to improve the soil.
Cone
The fruit of a conifer composed of a woody central stem hard overlapping seed-bearing scales.
Conifer
A tree or shrub, usually evergreen which bears its seeds in cones.
Cordon
A trained fruit tree or bush whose growth is restricted by pruning to a single stem.
Corm
The rounded underground storage organ and stem of plants such as crocus that resemble a bulb.
Crocks
Broken pieces of clay flowerpots often used to cover the drainage holes in other pots and containers.
Crop rotation
A system of
growing different vegetable crops on the same plot in consecutive years
so that no one vegetable is grown in exactly the same spot more often
that once in every 3 or 4 years.
Crown
The part of an herbaceous perennial that is just at soil level, from which roots and shoots grow.
Cultivar
The official name given to a plant variety that originated in cultivation.
Cutting
A portion of leaf, bud, stem or root taken from a plant and used to propagate a clone of that plant.
Damping down
Watering the floor and staging of a greenhouse or cold frame to increase the humidity and lower temperature in warm weather.
Damping off
The collapse and death of seedlings cause by excessive moisture and disease.
Deadheading
Removing dead or faded flowers from a plant to improve its appearance prevent seed production and encourage further flowering.
Deciduous
A plant that sheds its leaves in winter.
Dibber
A pointed stick used for making holes in soil when transplanting seedlings.
Disbudding
Removing all but one
bud on a stem to direct a plant's energy into the remaining bud, which
will produce a large bloom as a result.
Division
Teasing, pulling or cutting apart clumps of herbaceous perennials and suckering shrubs in order to produce more plants.
Dormant
The phase when a plants growth slows or stops completely, usually in autumn or winter.
Double
A flower with more than the usual number of petals.
Drawn
The term used for plants or seedlings that have grown long, thin and weak as result of overcrowding or insufficient light.
Drill
The shallow, straight and narrow furrow in which seeds are sown outdoors.
Earthing up
Drawing up of soil round plants to protect them from frost, sun or disease, or to blanch their stems.
Espalier
A fruit tree or shrub
that is trained by pruning and tying to grow flat against a wall or
fence. Branches are trained horizontally to form matching pairs on
either side of a main stem.
Evergreen
A plant that retains its leaves throughout the year.
Exotic
A plant introduced from another country.
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Fan
A fruit tree or shrub trained and tied flat against wall or fence in the shape of a fan.
Fertiliser
A material that provides plants with one or more or the main plant nutrients that help them grow.
Floret
A very small flower, especially one that is part of a flower head as in plants of the daisy family.
Flower
A plant's reproductive
structure, containing female ovaries, which bear the seeds and anthers
which produce pollen or male cells. Most plants carry the ovaries and
anthers in the same flower, others on separate flowers or separate
plants.
Forcing
Encouraging plants to grow, flower or fruit before their natural time by placing them in darkness or a heated greenhouse.
Frond
A feathery leaf of a fern or palm.
Genus
A group of closely related plants e.g. Birch are grouped in the genus Betula.
Germination
The stage at which a seed first begins to sprout.
Grafting
Joining the stem or bud of one plant onto the root or stem of another to form a new plant.
Half-hardy
Term used for plants
that can generally only be grown outdoors during the summer but which
may survive mild winters outdoor in a sheltered position.
Hardening off
Gradually accustoming tender and half-hardy plants that have been raised in a protected environment to outdoor conditions.
Hardy
Term applied to plants that are able to survive outside in normal winter conditions.
Herbaceous
A plant that does not form a woody stem. Most herbaceous plants usually die down each winter and grow again in the spring.
Hip
The fleshy, berry-like red or orange fruit of a rose.
Humidity
The amount of water vapour present in the atmosphere.
Humus
Decayed vegetable matter that is usually sweet smelling, brown and crumbly.
Hybrid
The name given to a plant
that is produced from crossing two different species or varieties,
often of the same genus which inherit some of the important
characteristics of each parent.
Inorganic
A chemical compound that does not contain carbon. Inorganic fertilizers are produced chemically and are not naturally occurring.
Insecticide
A substance that is used to kill garden insect pests.
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Juvenile
Used to describe a young leaf shape which is different to that when mature.
Lateral
A side shoot or stem growing from a bud on a larger stem.
Leafmould
Compost made from dead or decaying leaves.
Lime
Calcium is the chief
chemical element of lime which is an essential plant food and soil
conditioner that is used to neutralize acid soil and to improve the
texture of heavy clay soils.
Loam
A soil that contains a blend of clay, sand, humus and silt and is well aerated and free-draining.
Manure
Organic substance that is
added to the soil to increase its fertility. They are usually of animal
origin containing dung and straw.
Marginal
A plant that requires a constantly damp or wet soil.
Midrib
The central vein of a leaf, which divides it into two halves.
Mulch
Any material applied to
the top of soil around plants which help conserve moisture, enrich the
soil, suppress weeds or warm the ground.
Naturalise
The growing of plants and bulbs in a simulated natural environment in the garden, usually in grass.
Nectar
A sweet liquid, secreted by some flowers that attracts pollinating insects.
Neutral
Describes a soil that is neither acid nor alkaline and has a pH of about 7.
Nitrogen
A natural element occurring in the soil and air, which is absorbed by plants primarily to make leaves.
Node
The part of a plants stem, which in some cases may be slightly swollen, from which leaves, buds and shoots grow.
Offset
A small, complete plant produced by many bulbous plants.
Organic
Used to describe substances that are derived from animal or vegetable matter such as manure and compost.
Peat
Organic matter that is
formed when plant remains from bogs or heathland is prevented from
decaying past a certain point through lack of oxygen.
Perennial
A plant that lives for
an indefinite period, which includes trees and shrubs although it is
largely used to describe herbaceous plants which die down each winter
and re-grow in the spring.
Pergola
Two rows of uprights of wood, metal or brick that are crossed by beams at the top, Climbers are trained over the structure.
Petal
A modified leaf, usually coloured, which forms part of a flower.
pH
A scale running from 1 to 14
and used to measure whether a soil is acid, (below pH 7) neutral (pH 7)
or alkaline (above pH 7). Most garden soils are within the range of 4.5
to 8.
Pinching out
The removal of the growing point of a stem to promote branching or to induce bud formation. Also known as stopping.
Pollen
The powder-like substance produced by a flowers anthers that fertilises the seeds.
Potting
Placing a plant in a container with compost.
Pricking out
Transplanting seedlings from their initial containers into larger ones.
Propagation
The increase of plants, either by seeds or by means of cuttings, division, grafting or layering.
Pruning
Controlled cutting back
of plants, particularly those with woody stems to restrict size, train
to shape, promote the growth of flower buds, or to remove dead or
damaged wood.
Resting period
A period in the annual cycle of a plant when they are either dormant or making very little or no growth.
Rhizome
A thickened horizontal underground stem with roots and leaves or shoots.
Rootstock
A propagation term for a vigorous rooting plant upon which another (known as a scion) is grafted.
Runner
A stem which roots at the tip on contact with moist soil and forms a new plant.
Scion
The shoot or bud of a
plant which is joined by grafting to the roots or stem of another. A
scion transmits the flowering or fruiting characteristics of the
variety from which it has been taken.
Seedbed
An area of soil that has been leveled and raked to produce a fine tilth for sowing seeds into.
Seedling
A young, recently germinated plant that has a single unbranched stem.
Self-fertile
A plant which sets fruit and seed when fertilised with its own pollen.
Set
A term used in different ways to describe:
- A small onion or shallot bulb that is planted to grow into a mature vegetable for eating.
- Blossom that has been fertilised, especially on a fruit tree.
Shrub
A woody multi-branched plant with no central stem and branches near to the ground.
Species
Denotes a closely allied group of plants within a genus which have unique characteristics that breed true to type from seed.
Spit
The depth of a spade's blade.
Spore
A microscopic, single-cell body by which ferns, fungi and mosses reproduce.
Sport
A part of a plant such as
a shoot that is different from its parent (such as variegated leaves)
and can be propagated to produce a totally new plant.
Spur
A short lateral branch of a tree which bears flower buds.
Staking
Supporting plants with canes or stakes.
Stamen
The male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of a pollen-bearing anther and a supporting filament.
Standard
A tree or shrub with a clear trunk or stem before the head of branches.
Sterile
A plant that is unable to produce seed.
Stone
The seed of an apricot, cherry, peach, plum or other member of the genus Prunus.
Stopping
See pinching out.
Strain
A distinct variation of an existing species or variety that is raised from seeds.
Sucker
A shoot sprouting from
below ground at the base of a plant. In the case of grafted plants,
suckers grow from the rootstock and should be torn off at their point
of origin.
Taproot
The main anchoring root
of a plant that descends vertically. It also describes the long root
formed by vegetables such as carrots and parsnips.
Tender
Applied to plants that are vulnerable to frost damage.
Tendril
A thin, curling
stem-like growth produced on stems and leaf stalks that twines around
supports, enabling the plants such as sweet peas to climb.
Terminal
The shoot or bud that grows at the tip of a stem or branch.
Thinning
A term used in different ways to describe:
- The removal of seedlings in beds or containers to provide more space for those next to them to grow
- The reduction of the number of flowers or fruit buds to prevent overcrowding and to improve fruit quality.
Tilth
The fine crumbly surface layer of soil needed for a seedbed before sowing seed.
Trace elements
The name for certain minor chemical elements, such as iron, manganese, and copper, which are essential for plant growth.
Transplanting
Moving seedlings or plants from one place to another to give them more growing space.
Tree
A plant that has a tall central woody trunk or main stem before the branches arise.
Truss
The name for a loose cluster of flowers or fruit.
Tuber
A thickened fleshy root (dahlia) or an underground stem (potato) which serves as a food store and produces shoots.
Underplanting
Growing small plants beneath and between large plants such as trees or shrubs.
Variegated
Applied to leaves (and sometimes flowers) that are marked decoratively in a contrasting colour, usually yellow, cream or white.
Variety
A variant of a species which has arisen naturally.
Weed
Commonly used to describe vigorous non-ornamental plants which unless removed swamp cultivated plants.