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Gardening terminology
Acid Soil; It’s a soil with very little or no lime content. Acidity of the soil is measured on a P.H. scale with P.H. 7 being neutral, the lower the figure below 6, the more acid the soil becomes and above the 7 the more alkaline it becomes. It is worth checking the type of soil a plant needs before purchasing for them to reach their potential, for example Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Pieris all prefer acid soil.
Aerial roots; These are roots produced above the ground for support. The most common plants with aerial roots would be Ivy, Virginia creeper and climbing Hydrangea.
Alpine; Originally meant as a plant from mountainous regions, but now applied to dwarf plants which are suitable for rock gardens.
Annual; This is a plant that completes its life cycle in one year.
Bedding Plants; These are used for temporary displays, more often than not, raised under the protection of glass before bedding out in open ground.
Biological Control; This is a method of controlling pests using parasites and other predators that will feed on them, for example Ladybirds against Aphids.
Bonemeal; Often used at the time of planting, mainly to encourage root development. Its a fairly slow acting fertilizer derived from grinding down animal bones, doesn't sound very appealing, but it is affective.
Climber; A plant that uses objects for example trellis, or other plants, such as a hedge to grow through by ways of twining, using suckers or tendrils to support itself. Some examples would be Ivy, Clematis, and Sweet Peas.
Cold Frame; This is usually a glazed framework in the garden without any form of heat. Its used to harden-off tender plants before planting out in the garden.
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