Essential gardening terms explained for container and urban gardeners. Learn the vocabulary you need to grow successfully on your balcony or in small spaces.
Showing 63 of 63 terms
The process of introducing air into soil to improve oxygen circulation around plant roots and enhance drainage.
Materials added to soil to improve its physical or chemical properties, such as drainage, water retention, or nutrient content.
A plant that completes its entire life cycle (germination, flowering, seed production, death) within one growing season.
Small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, often clustering on new growth and undersides of leaves.
A plant that requires two growing seasons to complete its life cycle, typically producing leaves the first year and flowers/seeds the second.
A physiological disorder causing dark, sunken spots on the bottom of tomatoes, peppers, and squash, caused by calcium deficiency or inconsistent watering.
When a plant prematurely flowers and sets seed, usually triggered by heat or long days, making the leaves bitter or inedible.
A watering method where containers are placed in trays of water, allowing soil to absorb moisture from below through drainage holes.
A sustainable growing medium made from coconut husk fiber, used as a peat moss alternative.
Growing different plants together for mutual benefits such as pest control, pollination, or space efficiency.
Decomposed organic matter rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, used to improve soil fertility.
The first leaves that emerge from a germinating seed, also called seed leaves, which differ from the plant's true leaves.
A harvesting method where outer leaves are cut while the plant continues growing, allowing multiple harvests from one plant.
A fungal disease that causes seedlings to rot at the soil line and collapse, typically caused by overwatering or poor air circulation.
Removing spent flowers from a plant to encourage continued blooming and prevent seed formation.
A tomato growth type where plants grow to a fixed height, set fruit all at once, and then decline. Also called bush tomatoes.
The ability of soil to allow water to pass through, preventing waterlogging and root rot.
A physiological condition where water-soaked blisters or bumps form on leaves due to irregular watering.
Plant damage caused by excessive fertilizer application, showing as brown leaf edges or wilting.
The average date in fall when temperatures first drop to 32F (0C), marking the end of the growing season for tender plants.
A light requirement meaning the plant needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
The process of a seed sprouting and developing into a seedling, triggered by moisture, warmth, and sometimes light.
Artificial lighting designed to simulate sunlight for indoor plant growth, essential for seed starting and winter growing.
The period between the last spring frost and first fall frost when most plants can grow outdoors.
The process of gradually exposing indoor-started seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-14 days before transplanting.
A geographic region defined by the USDA based on average minimum winter temperatures, used to determine which plants survive outdoors.
A plant that requires high amounts of nutrients and depletes soil fertility quickly.
A tomato growth type where plants continue growing, flowering, and fruiting throughout the season until frost.
Growing quick-maturing crops between slower-growing main crops to maximize space utilization.
The average date in spring after which temperatures typically stay above 32F (0C), marking when tender plants can go outdoors.
The process of nutrients being washed out of soil through repeated watering, especially common in containers.
Thin, stretched, weak seedlings caused by insufficient light, causing them to reach toward light sources.
Young vegetable seedlings harvested when first true leaves appear, typically 7-21 days after germination.
Material placed on top of soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
One of the three primary plant nutrients (NPK), essential for leafy green growth and chlorophyll production.
The three numbers on fertilizer labels indicating the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
Carbon-based materials from plants and animals that improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient content.
To keep plants alive through winter, either outdoors with protection or by bringing them inside.
A light condition providing 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, or dappled sunlight throughout the day.
A plant that lives for more than two years, returning each season from its root system.
Lightweight volcanic glass expanded by heat, used as a soil amendment to improve drainage and aeration.
A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0-14, with 7 being neutral. Most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.
One of the three primary plant nutrients (NPK), essential for root development, flowering, and fruiting.
Removing the growing tip of a plant to encourage bushier, more compact growth with more branches.
One of the three primary plant nutrients (NPK), essential for overall plant health, disease resistance, and fruit quality.
A soil-less growing medium specifically formulated for containers, typically containing peat, perlite, and vermiculite.
A fungal disease appearing as white powdery spots on leaves, caused by high humidity and poor air circulation.
Transplanting seedlings from a communal seed tray to individual containers for more growing room.
A condition where plant roots have filled the container and begin circling, restricting growth and water uptake.
A fungal disease caused by overwatering that causes roots to decay, leading to wilting despite wet soil.
A container design with a water reservoir that delivers moisture to the soil through capillary action.
Applying fertilizer to the soil surface around established plants during the growing season.
Fertilizer formulated to release nutrients gradually over weeks or months, rather than all at once.
Sowing seeds at regular intervals (every 2-3 weeks) to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.
A side shoot that grows from the junction between a tomato stem and leaf branch, competing for energy with the main plant.
Removing excess seedlings to give remaining plants adequate space for proper development.
Stress symptoms like wilting, leaf drop, or stunted growth that occur when plants are moved to new containers.
The second set of leaves that appear after cotyledons, showing the plant's characteristic leaf shape.
A mineral expanded by heat, used in soil mixes to improve water and nutrient retention.
Growing plants upward using trellises, stakes, or wall-mounted systems to maximize limited ground space.
The process of water moving upward through soil or other materials by capillary action.
Drooping of leaves and stems caused by insufficient water, excessive heat, root damage, or disease.
See Hardiness Zone. USDA zones range from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest) based on average minimum winter temperatures.
Bolting is when a plant prematurely flowers and sets seed, usually triggered by heat or long days. For crops like lettuce and cilantro, bolting makes the leaves bitter and signals the end of harvest. Container gardeners can delay bolting by moving pots to shade during heat waves and harvesting regularly to prevent flowering.
Determinate tomatoes are bush varieties that grow to a fixed height (3-4 feet), produce all their fruit over 2-3 weeks, then decline. They're ideal for containers because they stay compact. Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing and producing fruit until frost, reaching 6-10 feet tall, requiring large containers and sturdy support.
NPK refers to the three primary nutrients plants need: Nitrogen (N) for leaf growth, Phosphorus (P) for root development and flowering, and Potassium (K) for overall health and fruit quality. The numbers on fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) indicate the percentage of each nutrient. Use balanced fertilizers for most containers, or specialized ratios for specific growth stages.
Hardening off is the process of gradually exposing indoor-started seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-14 days before transplanting. This prevents transplant shock by allowing plants to adjust to direct sun, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Start with 1 hour of outdoor shade, increasing daily until plants can handle full conditions.
Companion planting is growing different plants together for mutual benefits like pest control, pollination, or space efficiency. In containers, this maximizes limited space. Classic examples include planting basil with tomatoes (basil repels pests) or marigolds around vegetables (marigolds deter aphids and attract pollinators).
Potting mix is a soil-less blend (peat, perlite, vermiculite) designed for containers with excellent drainage. Potting soil often contains actual soil and can compact in containers. Always use potting mix for container gardens, never garden soil or topsoil, which become dense and poorly-draining in pots.
Blossom end rot is a physiological disorder causing dark, sunken spots on the bottom of tomatoes and peppers. It's caused by calcium deficiency, usually from inconsistent watering. Prevent it by watering containers consistently (daily in hot weather), mulching to retain moisture, and avoiding fertilizers high in nitrogen which inhibit calcium uptake.
Root bound describes a plant whose roots have filled the container and begun circling. This restricts water and nutrient uptake, causing stunted growth. Signs include roots emerging from drainage holes, top-heavy plants, and quick wilting despite watering. Solution: transplant to a larger container or gently tease apart circling roots before replanting.
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