When you make the decision to start a new hobby or project, there is always a learning curve and some research involved. Whether you’re reading blogs like this one or watching your tenth youtube learning video, you may hear some words thrown around about gardening that you’re just unsure of. Instead of glossing over things, we’ve broken down some commonly used terms that you may hear or read as you begin your gardening journey. At Daily Potager, we want to set everyone up for success from the very beginning, so welcome to the Beginner's Garden Dictionary - your go-to guide for all things green and gorgeous! Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a blooming vocabulary!

Amend-  To make minor changes to your soils composition to better suit your specific gardening needs.

Biennial- Biennials are plants that take two years to complete their lifecycle. During the first growing season, the plant produces roots, stems, and leaves. During their second growing season, they produce their flowers, fruits, and seeds, and then they die.

Bolt- Bolting is when an edible, frost- tolerant plant such as lettuce, cilantro, or other greens quickly goes to seed before we would like. The plant usually gets taller quickly and a flower heads appear. Bolted plants will taste bitter at this stage and you will know they are past their prime harvest.

Cloche- A garden cloche is a small cage like structure that protects growing plants such as vegetables, strawberries, cut flowers, or ornamental plants from pesky critters such as bunnies or chipmunks. The plant still receives sunlight, air flow, and water, but remains protected from animals.

Cross Pollination- Cross pollination is the process of applying pollen from one flower to the pistils of another flower. Pollination occurs in nature with the help of insects and wind.

Cut and come again- This is a specific method of harvesting a flower or crop, such as a zinnia or lettuce, whose blooming stage continues throughout the entire season. You can harvest again and again by snipping certain parts.

Deadhead- Deadheading is a process of pruning old growth. The seed heads are removed from the plant to promote new growth and re-flowering. Deadheading is very simple. As blooms fade, pinch or cut off the flower stems below the spent flowers and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves.

Espalier- Espalier is a way to train ornamental or fruit-producing trees. You train the trees by tying in and interlacing flexible young shoots along a supporting framework; creating a slim canopy. Espaliers were designed so that sun can optimally shine on the fruit or flowers.

Germinate – Germination is the sprouting of a seed, spore, or other reproductive body usually after a period of dormancy.

Heirloom- Heirlooms are fruits and vegetables whose seeds have been saved and planted over several generations. They offer unbeatable flavors, diversity and you can continue to save the seeds for future use.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate Plants - YRG says it best: Determinate plants are varieties that grow to a fixed mature size and yield one large round of harvestable produce. Once this wave has ripened, the plant will begin to diminish in vigor and will provide very little future production. These plants are genetically programmed to reach a certain size, flower, then stop growing. Indeterminate plants produce fruits and vegetables in a continuous fashion. The main stem will keep growing and flowering even as fruits and vegetables are harvested.

NPK- The proportion of three plant nutrients in order: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).  Nitrogen helps plants make the proteins they need to produce new tissues – especially leafy tissues. Phosphorus stimulates root growth, helps plants set buds and flowers, and produces seeds. Potassium promotes the overall vigor of plants.

Obelisk- An obelisk is a tall dome-shaped structure that is an attractive garden addition as well as offering plant support where needed.

Perennial vs Annual-  A perennial plant is any plant that persists for several growing seasons, and an annual plant is a type of plant that will only survive for one growing season and will need to be replanted to grow again at another time.

Propagation- Propagation is taking a part of an existing plant and growing it into a new plant. The major methods of asexual propagation are cuttings, layering, division, budding and grafting. Cuttings involve rooting a severed piece of the parent plant; layering involves rooting a part of the parent and then severing it; and budding and grafting is joining two plant parts from different varieties.

Prune- Pruning is the practice of selectively removing plant parts (branches, buds, spent flowers, etc.) to manipulate the plant for growing and landscape purposes.

Hopefully seeing a list of commonly used terms broken down with definitions and a few pictures is helpful for all stages of gardening. Remember that it’s encouraged to ask for help when you’re learning something new! If you still need guidance or are stumped in a certain area, please reach out and remember that I am a garden coach, and it’s my pleasure to help you grow!

Let’s Get Growing,

Shannon