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A is for Adventitious root

A dventitious root ad·ven·ti·tious  /ˌadvenˈtiSHəs/ A root growing from a plant’s stem or leaf rather than underground. An example of an adventitious root is an aerial root that a plant uses to enable...

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B is for Blanching

Blanching verb: blanch /blanCH/ The technique used to exclude light from a plant to reduce chlorophyll. Examples include earthing up potatoes and asparagus, deep planting leeks and covering with...

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Word up! D is for Drupe (Gardening Glossary A to Z)

Drupe drupe noun \ˈdrüp\ A fruit with a stone that protects the seed and a fleshy protective layer enclosed in an outer skin, for example a peach or apricot.

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Word up! E is for Ericaceous

Ericaceous ericaceous [ˌɛrɪˈkeɪʃəs] adj Lime-hating plants that need acid soil with a pH of 6.5 or lower, for example Camelia and Blueberry.

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Word up! F for Fan-trained

Fan-trained A method of training plants against a wall or on wires to achieve a fan like effect. There are a wide range of fruits that can be fan-trained, including almonds, apples, cherries, figs,...

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Word up! G for Green Manure

Green Manure To improve the fertility of the soil by ploughing in cover crops while green. Picture by kind permission of Victoriana Nursery Gardens

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Word up! H is for Honey Fungus

Honey Fungus Honey fungus lives in dead and decaying roots, tree stumps and other woody items in the soil. It grows out from these in the form of black root-like rhizomorphs (‘bootlaces’). There are...

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Word up! I is for Interplanting

Interplanting The practice of planting two or more plants that bloom at different times or which have complementary characteristics, to create year-round interest in the garden. Lavendula interplanted...

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Word up! K is for Keel: Sow and So garden glossary

Keel Of leguminous flowers (for example Lupin, Wisteria, Laburnum), the two bottom petals are fused together at the apex (remaining free at the base), forming a boat-like structure called the keel....

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Word up! L is for Lateral

Lateral A bud arising in the leaf axil at a node in the stem, which will develop into a side shoot. Section of Buddleia showing a lateral

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Word up! M is for Monocot

Monocot The flowering plant world is divided into monocots and dicots. In other words, plants which possess one cotyledon in their seed and those which possess two. Monocots produce a single leaf from...

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Word up! N is for Nap

Nap A lawn surface, especially one which is flattened to lie in one direction, exploited by mowers giving the formal, neat appearance of stripes that lasts for a few days afterwards.

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Word up! O is for Ovary (…the botanical kind)

Ovary   The female part of a plant contained in the flower. The ovary holds the ovules which, once fertilised, develop into seeds. There are generally two positions within the flower: Inferior...

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Word up! P is for Palmate

Palmate /ˈpalˌmāt/ A leaf divided into many lobes of the same shape, which usually emanate from one point at the end of a leaf stalk or petiole, for example Helleborous Foetidus (Stinking Hellebore)...

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Word up! R is for RUGOSE

Rugose /ˈro͞oˌgōs/ Refers to leaves that have a wrinkled or puckered appearance, for example Rosa Rugosa.

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Word up! S is for SPIT

Spit \ˈspit\ The depth of a spade or fork – usually 10″ to 12″ or 25cm to 30cm.

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Word Up! T is for Top Dress

Top dress The practice of improving the soil by adding a layer of fertiliser to the surface and allowing it to settle in without digging it over. Covering the the bed with compost and leaving the...

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Word Up! U is for UMBEL

Umbel [uhm-buhl] An inflorescence where all the flower stalks arise from the same point usually at the tip and are of similar length, for example Cow Parsley. Other examples of UMBELLIFERS are Sweet...

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Word Up! V is for VERMICULITE

Vermiculite [ver-mik-yuh-lahyt] A mineral that forms spongy, lightweight kernels which enable the soil to hold more water. Useful in the prevention of soil compaction. Also used as a medium in which...

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Word up! W is for Weeping

Weeping /ˈwēpiNG/ A term used to describe the pendulous habit of certain plants. It may be a natural occurrence (willow, birch and larch), or as the result of careful pruning and training for example...

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