We’re going back to the basics and unearthing some of the most used gardening terms. Be in the know and don’t be deterred by the lingo.
- Pruning
Used to promote new growth in plants and trees. Pruning means selectively cutting back unwanted branches and stems to:
– reduce density
– remove dead plant parts
– encourage lush regrowth
- Deadheading
Similar to pruning but with focus on flowers. Deadhead your spent blooms by pinching or cutting off their heads to:
– produce more flowers
– promote quicker re-blooming
– neaten up plant’s appearance
- Transplanting
This means taking an established plant from their place of growth to a new home.
Transplanting happens when potted newbies from the nursery are planted into beds, or when relocating existing plants in the garden.
Tip: Consult your local nursery for pointers on when and how to transplant your baby.
- Annuals vs Perennials
- Plants that flower and then die after one season are called Annuals. These plants often drop seeds that will pop up next season again.
- Plants that return for several seasons are called Perennials. These plants retain their root system after the season has passed and bloom again.
- Companion planting
A smart art of growing certain plants together because of their ability to support and complement each other such as:
– flowering herbs and fruit/ veg: herbs attract essential pollinators.
– corn, beans and squash: known as the three sisters method. Corn supports climbing beans, which deposit nitrogen from the air into the soil, thus enhancing squash growth.
- Split and divide
This happens when digging up a plant to access the root system. Root clumps are then divided into desired segments, and then split apart to be planted somewhere else.
Watch the YouTube video here:
DID YOU KNOW?
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