- D -
DAMPING OFF – A fungus affecting seedlings and causes the stem to rot at soil level. It can also rot seeds before they even germinate.
DEADHEADING – The process of pinching or snipping off used blooms to keep the plants well groomed and to prevent them from setting seed.
DIBBLE STICK – A pointed tool used to make holes in the soil.
DETATCH – Removing dead stems that build up beneath the grasses.
DIOECIOUS PLANT – Plants bear male flowers on one plant and female flowers on another in order to produce fruit and viable seeds.
DIVIDING – The process of splitting up plants, roots that are bound together.
DORMANCY – The yearly cycle in a plants life when growth slows and the plant rests.
DOUBLE DIGGING – Preparing the soil by systematically digging an area to two shovels deep.
DOUBLE FLOWER – A flower with many overlapping petals.
DRIP LINE -The circle you see if you drew a line below the tips of the outer most branches of a tree or plant.
- E -
EPIPHYTE – A plant which grows on another plant and gets its nourishment from the air and rainfall.
EROSION - The wearing , washing away, or removal of soil by wind, water or man.
ESPALIER - The process of training a tree or shrub so that its branches grow in a flat, exposed pattern by tying, pinching and pruning the branches. Often pear trees, apple trees, or ornamentals
EVERGREEN – A plant which never loses all of it’s leaves at the same time.
EVAPORATION - Process by which water returns to the air.
EYE – An undeveloped growth of bud which will ultimately produce new growth.
-F -
FERTILIZER -Organic or inorganic plant foods which may be either liquid or granular used for soil improvement for a healthy and good quality or quantity of plant growth.
FLAT - A wooden shallow box or plastic tray used to start cuttings or seedlings.
FOILIAR FEEDING – Fertilizer applied in liquid soluble form applied to the plants foliage in a fine spray so the plant can absorb the nutrients through its leaves.
FORCING – The process of hastening a plants growth to maturity or bloom. Usually done indoors.
FROND - The branch and leaf structure of a fern or members of the palm family.
FROST – The condensation and freezing of moisture in the air.
FULL SHADE – A shade that is sometimes called deep shade created by mature trees.
FULL SUN – A six hour-or-more direct sunlight exposure during the growing season of the year.
FUNGICIDE – A chemical used to control fungi that will cause diseases.
FURROW – A depression made to be used as drainage.
