A

Accent plant - A  focal point plant. A plant to catch the eye as the center of attention. Deane uses her best plants as focal points around the lawn, and places less assuming plants around these.

Acid mulch - mulch which contains little or no lime and has a pH of less than 6.5 while normal mulch is generally close to 7.0 . Rreferred to as "sour", can lead to plant injury or even death. Chris just bought some mulch and it is killing the grass at  the mulch line where it is leeching from the mulch bed into the grass.

Acid rain - rainwater that contains sulfur dioxide and other pollutants. We do not have this rain in Southwest Florida, but Chris and Deane mountain home at the Tennessee &. North Carolina border does and it keeps the water in our bird baths red.

Acid Soil -  Soil with a pH level lower than 7.

Aeration - The process of pulling small plugs (about ½" wide and 3" long) from the turf to relieve compacted soil and allow water and nutrients to reach roots.

Aerobic - Usually used for describing a characteristic of compost heaps. Describes organisms living in the presence of oxygen.

Alkaline Soil - Soil with a pH higher than 7.0  . Referred to as "sweet" soil. 

Anaerobic -  Describes organisms living or occurring when oxygen is absent. Usually term used when talking about compost heaps.

Annual - A plant that grows from seed, blooms, sets seed, and dies in one growing season.                 

Aquascaping -  is the planting of aquatic and wetland plants in the enhancement, restoration, or creation of freshwater systems. Different types of wetland systems can be aquascaped, including lakes, retention ponds, detention pond, and other low-lying drainage areas.

Aquatic - Plant which grows partially or completely in water.

Arbor -  structure used in the garden to support vines of all sorts for a walkway or just a focal point. A rose arbor. 

Asexual -- Vegetative reproductions like cuttings and division. Deane takes a spade and divides her Hostas and Day Lilly every year.

B

Backyard wildlife habitat - A lawn area where native plants and materials are providing food and shelter for protection and reproduction for birds, insects, and mammals in ones own backyard. Check out the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat program. 

Balled-and-burlapped - A tree or shrub that has been field grown then dug up for sale. Its rootball is wrapped in burlap for transport. Because roots are cut when the plant is dug up, balled-and-burlapped plants should be pruned when planted.

Bare Root - A plant, shrub, or tree that is field grown, dug up when dormant, and shipped with its roots exposed. Must be "sweated" prior to planting to help break dormancy.

Biennial - A plant with a two-year life cycle, it blooms and sets seed in the second year.                                                                               

Bird Monitoring Program of Florida -   was developed by the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation's Wildlife Extension office in June 2001. The objective of the Florida Bird Monitoring Program is to maintain a Web site where you can enter and view bird survey data collected by yourself and others. Homeowners as well as participants from natural resource fields, Cooperative Extension, and state education programs are encouraged to participate.  See website    

Biological pest control -  Using living organisms such as beneficial insects or parasites to destroy garden pests. 

Bisexual - A flower with both male and female parts is called perfect or bisexual or hermaphroditic. A flower of one sex only  is called unisexual or impefect.  A unisexual flower can be on the same plant (monoecious) or on two different plants (dioecious). (See Monoecious and Dioecious)  Cucumbers change =1= from unisexual male =2= to bisexual male and female =3= to unisexual female =4= and then to parthenocarpic as they grow. What is parthenocarpic? virgin fruit, the last flowers on some cucumbers do not need to be pollinated to produce a fruit...they make the fruit on their own!                                                                              

Bed preparation - The time spent preparing the planting bed is important if you are to be successful with annual flowers. Flower beds should be spaded or tilled at least six inches deep several weeks before planting. Florida's sandy soils have very low capacities for holding nutrients and water. Adding some organic matter will  increase the nutrient and water retention of these soils. Organic materials such as leaf mold or peat should be thoroughly mixed into the soil.

Bonsai - The art of dwarfing trees by careful root and stem pruning coupled with root restriction.

Broadcasting - Referred to as scattering seed or fertilizer or pesticides randomly by hand or with a broadcast spreader.

Bulb - A storage root formed below ground used for propagation. A true bulb consists of fleshy scales around the central bud, but the word bulb is loosely applied to corms, rhizomes and tubers. In Southwest Florida, Chris and Deane do not grow true bulb plants such as Tulips because it is too hot.

C 

Cambium layer -  tissue formed between the wood and the bark of vascular plants, that is capable of giving rise to new cells. Cambium develops on one side into a layer of new wood and on the other into new bark while, at the same time, fresh cambium is formed. The renewal of this process year after year brings about the increase of growth in the diameter of the trunk of trees, as indicated by its concentric rings. Chris, the world champ of killing plants, uses the cambium test regularly. Cut through the bark, if the cambium is green the plant is alive, even though it may appear dead.

Carnivorous - a plant that lives in highly acidic soil lacking adequate nourishment. These plants trap and consume insects to make this up. Venus Flytrap plant is most common one, but over 600 have been identified. International Carnivorous Plant Society.                       

Chainsaw safety  -  Here are some helpful tips on using a chain saw to clean up debris after a storm. The chain saw is a time saving and efficient power tool. It can be unforgiving and lethal, however, causing injury or death in the hands of a uninformed and unaware operator. It is not the chain saw causing the accidents or injuries but the environment in which it is used. Read your safety manual that came with your chain saw. If you are going to help clear tree and wood debris, you should wear at least: A helmet system (consisting of head, face and hearing protection) Cotton or leather gloves Chain saw protective chaps or chain saw protective pants A pair of chain saw protective work boots with steel toes.  see website    

Companion planting - Different plants that are planted together for the benefit of each other. Whether it be color or roots deeper to bring up the nutrients for the secondary plant. Ground covers are great companion plants.

Compost - The process by which organic materials actively decay into a nutrient-rich humus.

Conifer - A cone bearing tree with tiny needlelike leaves. Florida does not have many deciduous trees. Most trees in Florida are conifers, or palm trees, which are not true trees.

Container-grown - Plants, trees, and shrubs grown for sale in containers. Plants left in containers too long are often root-bound. 

Cool-season - Those plants, especially vegetables and annuals, that do best in cool weather. 

Cooperative Extension Service - A program between the University of Florida, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments to offer information and educational programs on landscaping, gardening, and sustainable agriculture, The County Extension offices are the primary information resources on Florida-friendly gardening and landscaping for Florida residents.

Corm - A swollen, underground stem base used for propagation. A corm, like a true bulb, contains a stem base, but the tissue of the base is solid, and it lacks the scales seen in true bulbs. Popular types of corms include gladiolas and crocus .

Cover Crop - A crop such as clover or winter wheat, sown between planting seasons to help retain soil, keep down weeds, and enrich the soil. Cover crops are tilled under in the spring.

Crabgrass - An annual grassy weed that spreads mainly by seed. Can be controlled by good mowing practices to prevent its going to seed and application of preemergent herbicide in late spring.

Crown Rot - A wet rot that occurs at the base, or crown, of the plant. Caused by bacteria or fungus and exacerbated by overcrowding and excess moisture.  

Cultivar -  A cultivated variety of a plant selected for some feature that distinguishes it from the species from which it was selected.  

Cutting - A piece of a plant (leaf, stem or root) which can be used to produce a new plant.  

D

Damping off - Decay of young seedlings at ground level following fungal attack. Often the result of soil borne diseases and over watering.

Deadhead - Removal of spent blooms to improve appearance and/or prevent seed formation. Promotes bushy growth and prolonged flowering of annuals.   

Deciduous - Trees and shrubs that shed their leaves annually.Florida does not have a lot of deciduous trees. In most places you cannot cut down such a tree with out a permit. Chris planted a sycamore tree in Florida the size of a drinking straw and it was 25 feet high in 10 years.  He planted a seedling maple tree next to it and it was 10 feet tall in 10 years.

Diocecious - A plant which bears either male or female flowers. (Compare to Monoecious) 

Disease  - An interaction between an organism and its environment that results in an abnormal condition; can be biotic or abiotic. Biotic plant problems are caused by living organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, insects, mites, and animals. Abiotic disorders are caused by nonliving factors, such as drought stress, sunscald, freeze injury, wind injury, chemical drift, nutrient deficiency, or improper culture practices, such as overwatering or planting too deep. Chris points out that improper (biotic) maintanace of plants can lead to a biotic disease. In Florida people mow their St Augustine lawns too short which can lead to a deadly virus St Augustine Decline (SAD).  

Divide - To dig up a plant, usually perennial, and split it into two or more smaller plants preserving some of the roots and top growth in each new plant.   

Dormant period - The dormancy time when a plant has naturally stopped growing and the leaves have fallen or the top growth has died down. The dormant period is usually, but not always, in winter. Compare resting period. 

Double-dig - A method of soil preparation in which trenches 8- to 9-inches deep are dug side by side. The soil removed from the first trench is reserved to fill the last trench. As each trench is opened, the soil below it is loosened and amended. Soil from the each successive trench is used to fill the previous trench.

Drawn  -   Excessively tall and weak growth, caused by plants being grown in too little light or too closely together. If Deane doesn't pinch back the Impatiens, they get tall and leggy.                                                   

Drought -  is likely to occur in every part of Florida at one time or another. Increased urbanization, coupled with a limited water supply, is predisposing much of the state to a greater chance of water shortages. Because of Florida's sandy soils, plants may experience drought stress after only a few days without rain or irrigation. During a drought, or when conditions indicate a drought may be imminent, the water management districts have the authority to restrict water use. 

Drought tolerant - Used to describe plants that require less water because they're adapted to regions with frequent drought or to soils with low water-holding capacity.                                                                 

E 

Edging - A border at the edge of a garden to prevent weeds from creeping into it. Typically incorporates a physical barrier of plastic, wood, or brick, although traditionally it was simply a base strip cut along the edge of the garden with an edging tool. 

Erosion - The wearing away, washing away, or removal of soil by wind, water or man. Deane and Chris live on a lake and Hurricane Wilma caused extinsive erosion to the shore line.

Espalier - Process of training a tree or shrub so its branches grow in a flat pattern.

Establishment   - Acclimating a new plant to the environmental conditions of the planting site.

Ever blooming - Plants that bloom more or less continuously throughout their growing season. Florida takes its name from Flowery Easter so named by Juan Ponce de Leon who exclaimed when he landed at Easter 1513 that the land was one of ever blooming flowers.

Evergreen -  A plant, shrub or tree that retains its foliage throughout the year, or at least retains some of its leaves year-round. When Chris and Deane moved to Florida in 1992, we were pleased to find that many shrubs and vines that are not evergreen in the north are green all year here.

Everlasting - Flowers with papery petals which retain some or all of their color when dried for winter decorations. In Florida a landscape tree Koelreuteria elegans Flamegold  are very popular for use in everlasting flower arrangements. 

Exotic - Strictly speaking, a plant which is not native to the area, but popularly any unusual or striking plant. According to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC) invasive exotic pest plants are biological pollutants. Menacing xotics may be responsible for destroying more natural habitat each year than is destroyed through land development.

F 

Fire ants -  are aggressive, reddish brown to black ants that are 1/8 to 1/4 in long. They construct nests which are often visible as dome-shaped mounds of soil, sometimes as large as 3 feet across and 1 1/2 feet in height  These ants are notorious for their painful, burning sting that results in a pustule and intense itching, which may persist for 10 days. Infections may occur if pustules are broken. Some people have allergic reactions to fire ant stings that range from rashes and swelling to paralysis, or anaphylactic shock. In rare instances, severe allergic reactions cause death. Chris has had to deal with fire ants everywhere he has lived in Florida. About once or twice a year he gets into them by accident. He runs as fast as he can into the garage, removing infected gloves or shoes as he goes, and brushing the ants off as he goes. In the garage he slathers amonia with a paper towel on the infected areas. Then he goes in house and takes two antihistamine tablets.                                                           

Firescaping - shows people how to "take the energy out of a fire" by managing the surroundings, both the natural and planted vegetation. Some insurance companies in western states, are beginning to press homeowners to minimize risks from wildfires. Chris and Deane lived through the Elninio induced great fires of 1998 in Florida, and our home nearly burned.      

Florida-friendly Landscaping - Describes landscaping practices that help to preserve Florida's natural resources and protect the environment. The Southwest Florida area has many nursey gardens that specialize in this type of landscape.

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program (FYN) - Part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, FYN develops educational programs to help residents reduce pollution, conserve water and enhance wildlife habitats through proper management of their yards and landscapes. Their WEB-SITE will help you transform your yard into a beautiful oasis. 

Foiliar fertilizer - A fertilizer applied in liquid form to a plant's foliage in a fine spray so that the plant can absorb the nutrients through its leaves.

Forcing - The process of making a plant grow or flower before its natural season.

Foundation planting - Any plant that is used around a building for the sole purpose of making it look more esthetic. Most Southwest Florida communities require first class foundation planting to be installed and well maintained about your home.                                                      

Four dimensions of landscape - texture, form, color, fragrance. 

Fragrance -  Fragrance is subjective, and opinions of it diverse, but it is unquestionable that the garden planted with scented flowers offers the  bonus of fragrance.  The purpose of a flower's fragrance is thought to be that of an attractant to nectar-feeding insects. Not all perfumes are found in the flowers, however. Scents may also be found in roots, bark, gum or oils, leaves, stalks and sometimes in the seeds. Generally, fragrant flowers are lightly colored or white. Although brilliantly colored flowers are not usually fragrant, there are exceptions. Flowers that are thick in texture, such as citrus, magnolia and gardenia are often the most distinctive and intense in scent. Deane had five lemon trees that smelled so wonderful, plus bushels of lemons.  

Frond - A leaf of a fern or palm and other Florida popular plants. Deane and Chris had a dozen Crinum lily plants that matured to about six feet high and six feet across. This large, coarse-textured, upright rosette of broad, light green, four-foot-long leaves is topped most of the year with great clusters of fragrant, spidery flowers. They are truly a wonder to look at but require regular cutting of the four-five foot fronds with a chain saw. A dozen plants produced about  50 fronds a month. 

Frost - The condensation and freezing of moisture in the air. Tender plants will suffer extensive damage or die when exposed to frost. Southwest Florida does have frost about once a year. People place some bed sheets over tender plants. 

Fungicide - A chemical that kills or inhibits the growth of fungi on plants and grass. Chris always has a bottle of blue coppercide in the shed to use on certain of his pines and palms  that are susceptible to fungus attacks.

Fungus - A primitive form of plant life which is known to the house plant grower as the most common cause of infectious disease -- powdery mildew. sooty mould and area mould.

G

Gall - A swelling of plant tissue caused by insects or fungus    

Girdle -  To constrict or destroy the bark in a ring around the trunk or branch of a plant, cutting off flow of nutrients and water through the bark; ultimately the plant dies.  

Grafting - The process of joining a stem or bud of one plant on to the stem of another for propagation.

GreenScaping  - encompasses a set of landscaping practices that can improve the health and appearance of your lawn and garden while protecting and preserving natural resources;   Build and maintain healthy soil, Plant right for your site,  Practice smart watering,   Adopt a holistic approach to pest management (Be sure you need a pesticide before you use it), and Practice natural lawn care.

Groundcovers - Low growing plants used for erosion control, to replace grass or simply for aesthetic reasons.

Groundwater  - Water stored underground in an aquifer. Groundwater is used for drinking and also supports Florida's springs. Fertilizers and pesticides placed on the ground are sources of pollutants in Florida's groundwater.

H

Half hardy - A plant which requires a minimum temperature of 50"-55"F for healthy growth. Compare hardy and tender.             

Hardiness - A measure of the ability of a plant to withstand the local climate.  

Hardiness  Zone  - system developed by the USDA to classify areas by their average minimum winter temperatures and plants by their corresponding winter hardiness. The hardiness zone is a geographically defined zone in which a specific plant life is capable of growing, as defined by temperature hardiness, or ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone. The hardiness zones in Florida range from 8 to 11 with 8a being in the northwestern Panhandle region and 11 in the Florida Keys. Southwest Florida is zone 10.

Hardpan - A layer of earth so compacted that roots cannot penetrate it.   Once Chris dug a hole to bury a propane tank, and hit this below the sand layer at about 30 inches, and needed a pick axe to break it out.

Hardscape - Areas such as patios, decks, driveways, paths and sidewalks that do not require irrigation.

Hardy - A plant which can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures at or below 45"F. Compare half hardy and tender.

Hedge - A border made up of densely planted trees or shrubs.

Herbaceous - A plant with a non-woody stem.

Herbicide -  A natural or synthetic compound for killing unwanted plants. May be applied to foliage are as a preemergent to stop weed seeds from sprouting.   

Humus - A dark colored, stable form of organic matter that remains after most of plant or animal residues have decomposed.                

Hurricane-strength winds damage  -  When an area has been free of hurricane-strength winds for a number of years, there is a possibility of severe damage to trees and to the structures near them when a storm finally hits. Trees and shrubs, even those native to an area, can grow too massive or unbalanced to be able to stand windstorms, and it is worth learning how to prune and shape trees in order to minimize the risks of damage. The ideal approach to avoiding storm damage begins with the initial selection of the plants. Such selection takes into consideration the branch and trunk strength of the trees being considered for planting, how strong their root system is, and their placement relative to structures and utilities. A regular system of pruning must then be established; pruning should develop a sturdy, well-spaced framework of healthy branches carrying an open, leafy canopy that allows air to move freely Chris does special work in his lawn to protect from hurricanes. See website . 

Hybrid - A plant with parents which are genetically distinct. The parent plants may be different cultivars, varieties, species or genera but not different families.

Hydroponics - A method of growing a plant in water containing dissolved nutrients 

I

Impervious Roads, parking lots, and driveway surfaces that rain and irrigation water cannot penetrate. 

Inoculants -  A seed treatment medium that contains the sybiotic rhizobial bacteria to capture nitrogen when in contact with legume roots.

Inorganic - Describing a substance not derived from a living organism and/or not composed of carbon and hydrogen (a hydrocarbon). A chemical or fertilizer that is not obtained from a source that is or has been alive is inorganic.

Insecticide - A natural or synthetic compound for killing insects.

Irrigation Zone - A grouping of sprinkler heads or micro-irrigation emitters operated simultaneously by the control of one valve.

Invasive plant - A plant that moves in and takes over an ecosystem to the detriment of other species. These plants are often introduced intentionally or accidentally by human activity. Brazilian pepper, melaleuca tree, and australian pine are bad invasive plants in Florida.  See  CENTER  for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida,

J

NONE

K

NONE

L

Landscape Fabric - A loosely woven synthetic fabric placed over the soil, but under the mulch. .                                                                       

Lawn care -  is a year round job in Florida. Mowing, trimming, watering, feeding, killing bugs, killing weeds, killing disease, de-thatching, There are three choices; hire some company, do it yourself, let the lawn go. check out informative website on Florida lawn care.  

Leaching - The downward movement of water and any particles dissolved in it, such as nutrients or pollutants through soil.

Leaf mould - Partially decayed leaves used in some potting mixtures. It must be sieved and sterilized before use.

Leggy - Abnormally tall and spindly growth .

Legume - A plant whose roots form an association with soilborne bacteria that can capture atmospheric nitrogen. A good example of this are soybeans

Lime - Used to raise the pH level of lawns to 6.5-7.0, the best level for most lawn grasses.

Loam - Soil characterized by its friable blend of clay, silt, and sand and organic material from decomposed leaf litter and other plant material.

Long day plant  - Scientists initially thought the length of light period triggered flowering and other responses within plants. Thus, they described plants as short-day or long-day, depending on what conditions they flower under. We now know that it is not the length of the light period, but rather the length of uninterrupted darkness, that is critical to floral development. Plants are classified into three categories: =1= short-day (long-night), =2= long-day (short-night), =3= day-neutral, depending on their response to the duration of light or darkness. short-day plants form flowers only when day length is less than about 12 hours. Many spring- and fall-flowering plants, such as chrysanthemum, poinsettia, and Christmas cactus, are in this category. In contrast, long-day plants form flowers only when day length exceeds 12 hours. Most summer flowering plants (e.g., rudbeckia, and aster), as well as many vegetables (beet, radish, lettuce, spinach, and potato), are in this category. day-neutral plants form flowers regardless of day length. Examples are tomato, corn, cucumber, and some strawberry cultivars. Some plants do not fit into any category, but may respond to combinations of day lengths. Petunias, for example, flower regardless of day length, but flower earlier and more profusely with long days.

M 

Manure - An organic material excreted by animals (usually from steer is sold commonly) this is used as a fertilizer and an amendment to enrich the soil.

Mature tree A tree that has reached at least 75 percent of its final height and spread.

Micro-irrigation - Irrigation using drip hoses or sprayers that apply water directly the root zones of plants

Monoecious - having unisexual reproductive units (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures) of both sexes appearing on the same plant. ( see Diocecious)                                                                  

Moss - small, leafy plants that do not produce flowers or seeds. They grow in moist, shaded areas where fertility is low

Mowing Strip - Garden edging, often brick, that allows you to operate the mower right up to the edge of the lawn. 

Mulch - Organic or synthetic material placed over garden soil to help retain moisture, control weeds, and, in the case of organic mulches, enrich the soil.

N

Native plants Plants that were present at the time of first European contact in Florida (about 1500 A.D.); a plant that occurs naturally in a particular region, state, ecosystem and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. Chris and Deane vacationed at Harkers Island North Carolina and learned that historically, the first English explorers sailing from Massachusetts in 1550, arrived at Harkers Islands to find it completely populated with English speaking white skinned people who said they had always been there but had no knowledge of where they came from.

Neutral - Neither acid nor alkaline; pH 6.5-7.                                

Nematodes - microscopic, elongated, cylindrical, parasitic worms that live in water and soil, and kill plants and lawns.

Nitrates - A nitrogen-containing compound or pollutant that enters aquifer, springs and surface bodies of water. Excess nitrates in the environment come from fertilizers, poorly designed or malfunctioning septic systems and sewage treatment plants. Excess nitrates lead to algae growth and can damage natural ecosystems. 

Nitrogen An element occurring in natural and chemical fertilizer that is essential to the growth and development of plants, but which, in excess, can cause water to become polluted and threaten aquatic animals.

Nitrogen cycle - The transformation of nitrogen from an atmospheric gas to organic compounds in the soil, then to compounds in plants and eventually the release of nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere. 

Nuisance wildlife trapper -  people who take destructive or nuisance wildlife from another person's property to do so only at the property owner's request and also only if authorized by a permit issued by the Florida Fish and WIldlife Conservation Commission. Chris and Deane phoned the alligator trapper  recently because a big gator was in the lake. It took two trappers all day to trap the gator.  

Nutrients Chemicals needed by plants and animals for growth ( nitrogen, phosphorus). In water resources, excessive amounts of nutrients can lead to degradation of water quality by promoting excessive growth, and subsequent decay of plants, especially algae.

O 

Offset - A young plantlet which appears on a mature plant. An offset can generally be detached and used for propagation Deane calls these babies and she gets an endless supply of new plants this way.

Organic - Being composed of, or containing matter of plant or animal origin. All living matter is considered organic. In gardening, the term organic typically refers to plants grown without use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  

Organic Fertilizer - Commonly, natural fertilizers such as fish emulsion, compost, manure, or dried seaweed. Often lower in nutrients than synthetic fertilizers, but last longer in the soil.  

Organic gardening - differs from "conventional" gardening mainly in the areas of fertilization and pest control. The organic gardener prefers to use natural and organic materials and methods, and avoids using practices and synthetic chemicals that may be detrimental to his health or environment. authored by James M. Stephens, professor, Horticultural Sciences. ee website                                                                     

Over fertilization -  can have dire consequences for the landscape and the environment. Research has shown that several lawn pest problems are increased when the lawn is overstimulated with excessive fertilizer. In addition, too much fertilizer promotes excessive growth which greatly increases the rate of thatch build up in lawns and the amount of mowing and pruning required to keep the landscape attractive.

Over potting - Repotting a plant into a pot which is too large to allow successful establishment Chris does this intentionally when he wants to keep a plant from growing too big  

P 

Palm tree - Not a true tree but a flowering shrub, most palms are distinguished by their large, compound evergreen leaves, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. However, many palms are exceptions to this statement, and palms in fact exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics. The state tree of Florida is a palm.

Peat - Sphagnum peat moss, a soil conditioner used for its ability to bind sandy soils, loosen clay soils and retain water and nutrients, is the dead organic matter that accumulates in the lower levels of a bog. It is different from sphagnum moss (not peat). Harvesters of horticultural peat moss remove the top few inches of the live sphagnum moss and only harvest the peat from the lower layer. The sphagnum moss from the top is used to create flower baskets.  Chris buys his peat in large bails and mixes it with perlite for a good soil conditioner.  

Perennial  - A plant that lives for many years, usually with new herbaceous growth each growing season. Chris points outs that in Southwest Florida, some annuals will reseed themselvs and behave as perennials  

Perlite - Volcanic rock or glass expanded by heating to form lightweight, porous white granules useful in container soil mixes to enhance moisture and air retention.

Pesticide - A chemical or other substance used to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate pests.  

Pesticide Resistance After repeated applications of a certain pesticide, some pests may adapt to the chemical and are not harmed by it. Those individuals that survive then breed and pass the resistance genes to their offspring.   

pH - A measure of acidity and alkalinity. Below pH 6.5 is acid, above pH 7.5 is alkaline.   Hydrochloric acid is pH 0.0  and  Pure water is pH 7.0 and Sodium Hydroxide  is pH 14.0 .  When you add lime (about 12) to your soil, it increases the pH. Chris adds hydrochloric acid to his pool to lower the pH. The pH (acidity/alkalinity) of soil determines what plants are best suited for your yard. Soil pH affects the ability of the soil to release the nutrients to plants. If the pH level is too high or two low, nutrients can get "locked up" in the soil chemistry and become unavailable to plants. Most plants thrive in a pH of 6 to 6.8. In general, sandy coastal areas are usually slightly alkaline. .

Phosphates   Compounds containing phosphorous and oxygen,  a component of fertilizers, phosphates are essential plant nutrients. Phosphate residues from  fertilizers  cause excessive growth of algae in lakes and rivers. This is a major problem for Everglades.

Pinch - To remove the growing tip of a seedling to encourage bushier growth.

Plug -  A method of starting a lawn in which small pieces of turf, about 2 inches in diameter, are planted 6 to 12 inches apart, eventually spreading to fill in the area. This is the method Chris once used to do a St Austine grass lawn.

Pollen - the microspores that carry the male gametophyte of seed plants. Florida feeds half of the nation and the Bee is our humble friend that spreads the pollen.                                                                                

Post-emergent herbicide - a pesticide that kills plants after they have grown to seedling stage or beyond.      

Pre-emergent  hebicide - An herbicide applied in spring to prevent certain types of weeds from sprouting. This is what is in weed  and feed. .       

Pressure treated wood - Wood which has been impregnated with preservatives to resist decay. If you are using lumber impregnated with chromated copper arsenate (known as CCA) you may want to use it with caution in your garden area where vegetables or herbs grow. You may want to use lumber impregnated with a new alternative (ACQ) alkaline copper quat, a mix of copper, quaternary ammonium compound, called quat which is safer. Non pressure treated timbers which resist decay are redwood red-cedar cypress and locust. Trex is a manufactured lumber product made from waste hardwood fiber and reclaimed plastic grocery bags which is being used around Florida.

Propagate  -  To reproduce plants by methods including seed, stem cuttings, layering, and division. 

Pruning - Cutting off branches to remove dead or diseased foliage or to make the plant smaller, to control or direct growth. Also to increase quality or yield of flowers or fruit. In Southwest Florida, Chris likes to watch all the Citrus trees get crew cuts to produce more fruit.

Q

Quarantine - Florida  has laws which prohibit the movement of certain fruits and vegetables and plants into  and out of the state.  Some citrus diseases like citrus canker are so dangerous that quarantine is not used but all infected trees and nearby non-infected trees are destroyed. Florida destroyed 4 million trees between 1996 and 2006. And now the even more dangerous citrus greening disease has found its way into Florida.

R  

Raised bed - Elevated garden bed offering better drainage, soil aeration and warmer soil than a conventional garden bed. Chris has found these beds are not suited to Southwest Florida. TOP 

Resistance - After repeated applications of a certain pesticide, some pests may adapt to the chemical and are not harmed by it. Those individuals that survive then breed and pass the resistance genes to their offspring. 

Resting period -  The time when a plant has naturally stopped growing but when there is little or no leaf fall. Compare dormant period.

Rhizome -  A thickened stem which grows horizontally below or on the soil surface. Chris and Deane had a patch of Canna lily that spread by rhizome and became a pest too hard to control.

Rock Garden -  A garden typified by natural-looking outcroppings of rock planted with small, low-growing plants

Root ball -  Matted roots plus enclosed soil within a the pot of a container grown plant.  

Root bound - A condition which exists when a potted plant has outgrown its container. The roots become entangled and matted together, and the growth of the plant becomes stunted. When repotting, Chris takes a big knife and cuts and scores the outsides of the root ball, to induce them to once again grow outward. He usually takes this a chance to make two plants out of one.                                                                                  

Root prune - to cut back the roots of a plant to encourage them to develop more fibrous roots or to reduce the mass of roots. Usually done before transplanting established plants or repotting houseplants.     

Rooting hormone -  A chemical in powder or liquid form which promotes the formation of roots at the base of a cutting. Chris uses this for rooting woody stems to make new plants.                                                     

Rotary mower - a mower with a blade that spins in a horizontal plane from a central rod. Its advantages are the ability to cut tall grass, versatility of movement, a less expensive purchase price and blades that can be easily sharpened. Chris's doctor prefers he use a hand pushed rotary mower. There are 500 homes in Chris and Deane's community and most all use a riding mower. You can not raise the height of the riding mower to cut St Augustine grass at a healthy length, and you can with a push mower. 

Runner - Also called Stolon. A creeping stem which produces small plantlets along its length. Chris learned when he first moved to Florida that St Augustine grass is not really grass but a runner vine. 

Runoff - Water from precipitation or irrigation that flows over the ground and into lakes, streams, rivers and other bodies of water. Runoff often carries with it pollutants (fertilizers, oils, and chemicals) from the land surface and may also cause soil erosion. 

S 

Self-cleaning - herbaceous plants that drop spent blossoms, thus not requiring deadheading. may be more or less self cleaning.  flowers petals drop, and new flowers cover the old blooms. While not necessary for producing additional flowers Chris's frien picks off old one to enhance a neat appearance.

Self-seed - The process of a plant releasing its own seed, which will readily germinate nearby and produce new plants.

Sewage sludge - the solid matter that settles out during the treatment of sewage. Using this on home gardens is a bit controversial. It is not sold at stores here in Southwest Florida. Only cow manure. See interesting article on a sludge plant just few miles from Chris and Deane's home.   .

Sexual reproduction - production of new generations involving the exchange of chromosomes from both a male and female parent. See asexual bisexual and unisexual for a better understanding.

Shear -  A method of pruning formal hedges in which the surface of the shrub is trimmed to a uniform surface. 

Shrub -  A woody, multi-stemmed plant.    

Short day plant  - Scientists initially thought the length of light period triggered flowering and other responses within plants. Thus, they described plants as short-day or long-day, depending on what conditions they flower under. We now know that it is not the length of the light period, but rather the length of uninterrupted darkness, that is critical to floral development. Plants are classified into three categories: =1= short-day (long-night), =2= long-day (short-night), =3= day-neutral, depending on their response to the duration of light or darkness. short-day plants form flowers only when day length is less than about 12 hours. Many spring- and fall-flowering plants, such as chrysanthemum, poinsettia, and Christmas cactus, are in this category. In contrast, long-day plants form flowers only when day length exceeds 12 hours. Most summer flowering plants (e.g., rudbeckia, and aster), as well as many vegetables (beet, radish, lettuce, spinach, and potato), are in this category. day-neutral plants form flowers regardless of day length. Examples are tomato, corn, cucumber, and some strawberry cultivars. Some plants do not fit into any category, but may respond to combinations of day lengths. Petunias, for example, flower regardless of day length, but flower earlier and more profusely with long days.

Slow-release fertilizer - A fertilizer that releases its nutrients gradually, over a time period.                                                                                   

Soaker hose - a porous tube that allows water to seep from it; used to irrigate plants. It is used to conserve water and to avoid wetting plant foliage. Chris uses a hose made from recycled auto tires that is cheap and works great. Little droplets of water push out all along the length of the hose.

Sod webworms - Tropical sod webworms a pest of southern warm-season turfgrasses. They undergo metamorphosis, with an egg stage, several larval stages, a pupal stage, and an adult stage. Most people are familiar with the larval stage or the caterpillars which feed on turf. Adults do not feed on foliage.This is a very dangerous pest in Florida that can kill an entire lawn in one or two years if left unchecked. see this informative article on this nasty critter.

Soil Compaction - Hard-packed soil caused by constant traffic of people and equipment. Soil compaction makes it difficult for water and air to reach roots.                                                                                                     

Soil conditioner - any material added to soil to improve its structure, texture, or drainage.

Soil pH - A measure of acidity and alkalinity. Below pH 6.5 is acid, above pH 7.5 is alkaline.   Hydrochloric acid is pH 0.0  and  Pure water is pH 7.0 and Sodium Hydroxide  is pH 14.0 .  When you add lime (about 12) to your soil, it increases the pH. Chris adds hydrochloric acid to his pool to lower the pH. The pH (acidity/alkalinity) of soil determines what plants are best suited for your yard. Soil pH affects the ability of the soil to release the nutrients to plants. If the pH level is too high or two low, nutrients can get "locked up" in the soil chemistry and become unavailable to plants. Most plants thrive in a pH of 6 to 6.8. In general, sandy coastal areas are usually slightly alkaline. .

Soil polymers - Super absorbent polymers recently developed that increase water retention of soils. They absorb hundreds of time their weight in water and are primarily used in container bound plants. Government research has shown that If your soil is already high in salts, your plants probably won't benefit much from these. Manufacturers claim water-absorbing polymers are able to hold 200 to 400 times their weight in water. The question is, can the plants really use the water held in these polymers? Generally speaking, the expense of buying and incorporating polymers into the soil exceeds the water saved.

Soil texture - The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil; clay is the smallest particle size, and clay tends to hold water and nutrients well and drain poorly; conversely, soils containing a large proportion of sand, the largest particle size, tend to drain well and do not hold water and nutrients well.

Sphagnum moss - is used for hanging flower baskets and this bulky material is not Sphagnum peat moss, a fine ground soil conditioner used for its ability to bind sandy soils, loosen clay soils and retain water and nutrients, is the dead organic matter that accumulates in the lower levels of a bog. It is different from sphagnum moss (not peat). Harvesters of horticultural peat moss remove the top few inches of the live sphagnum moss and only harvest the peat from the lower layer. The sphagnum moss from the top is used to create flower baskets.  Chris buys his peat in large bails and mixes it with perlite for a good soil conditioner.

Spot-treatment - Application of a pesticide to the problem plant or area, rather than a blanket application or "wall-to-wall" coverage.

Spreader-sticker - substances added to pesticides to make them spread over and stick to a surface more readily. Chris always uses this substance added to the pesticide or fertilizer sprayed on to broadleaf evergreens, so prevalent  in Florida. Their leaves are shiny and slippery and help is needed to get stuff to stick to them.  

Sprig -  A method of starting a lawn in which grass rhizomes or stolen (essentially horizontal roots) are planted 6 to 12 inches apart, eventually spreading to fill in the area.   

Stake - To prop up a plant prone to flopping on the ground with stakes and string or commercially available hoops and similar devices.

Sterilized soil -  A steam  or chemically sterilized soil is partially sterilized so that harmful organisms have been killed but helpful bacteria have been spared.

Stolon - Also called Runner. A creeping stem which produces small plantlets along its length. Chris learned when he first moved to Florida that St Augustine grass is not really grass but a stolon vine.

Succulent - Plants have leaves and/or stems which are thick and fleshy. They often have waxy outer layers that allow the plants to retain water. Deane has a particular fondness for succulents. These plants produce baby shoots and are easy to grow. For great pics and links check out the South Florida Cactus and Succulent Society.    

Sucker -  A shoot which arises from an underground shoot or root of a plant.

Sun Scald - Plant or lawn damage caused by hot sun in warm climates or by wind or hot temperatures.

Synthetic Fertilizer - Fertilizer containing manufactured components rather than animal or vegetable matter. Most are complete, can be fast-acting, but do nothing to improve soil condition.

Systemic -  A pesticide which goes inside the plant and travels in the sap stream.

T 

Tepee - a tripod of stakes used to support climbing plants. Chris used these for his tomatoes up North. But in Florida you have problems with the storms blowing them over.

Thatch - A layer of dead and living plant matter that accumulates between soil and turf, often blocking water and nutrient movement into soil. Chris uses a mulching blade on his mower to help prevent this, but it is still a problem in Southwest Florida because the lawn grows all year 

Till  - Turning the soil to improve its condition by increasing air and moisture to roots and thoroughly mixing in amendments.

Tipsy flower - Those paperwhites and other daffodils sure could use a drink -- a little whiskey, vodka, gin or tequila could keep them from falling over. A Cornell study finds that a touch of booze is a great way to keep certain houseplants from getting too tall by stunting their growth. "Dilute solutions of alcohol -- though not beer or wine -- are a simple and effective way to reduce stem and leaf growth," said William Miller, professor of horticulture and director of the Flower Bulb Research Program at Cornell.

    From left:  Untreated  paperwhites grown in water,  plants grown in      2 percent, 4 percent, 6 percent, 8 percent, 10 percent ethanol. 

Topiary - pruning and training shrubs to form  shapes or  patterns. 

Topsoil - uppermost layer of soil, usually darker and richer than the subsoil.

Toxicity - intensity of a poison.

Transpiration -  The loss of water through the pores of the leaf.

Transplanting - digging up a growing plant from one location to plant it in another location.

Trellis - a frame of latticework used as a support for climbing plants.

Tree -  A woody plant with a distinct central trunk. Compare shrub.

Tuber -  A storage organ used for propagation. It may be a fleshy root (e.g Dahlia) or a swollen underground stem.

U            

Unisexual - A bisexual flower has both male and female parts.A flower of one sex only  is called unisexual or impefect.  A unisexual flower can be on the same plant (monoecious) or on two different plants (dioecious). (See Monoecious and Dioecious) Cucumbers change =1= from unisexual male =2= to bisexual male and female =3= to unisexual female =4= and then to parthenocarpic as they grow. What is parthenocarpic? virgin fruit, the last flowers on some cucumbers do not need to be pollinated to produce a fruit...they make the fruit on their own!         

V

Variegated -  A plant with a green leaf design which is blotched, edged or spotted with yellow, white or cream color.

Variety -  One of possibly many closely-related plant species. The variety name is usually in Latin.                                                     

Vegetative - plant parts and processes concerning growth and nutrition and not reproduction.    

Venation - the pattern of veins.                                         

Vermiculite -   the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-ironsilicate which resembles mica in appearance.  It is  heated and puffed up to form lightweight, sponge-like granules capable of holding both water and air.  

Viable - capable of growing or developing.    

Virus - a group of submicroscopic infective agents that are considered nonliving complex molecules.    

W   

Warm-season - Those plants, such as tomatoes, that require warm weather for growth.                                                                             

Water gardening -  is increasing in popularity in ornamental landscapes across the country If you enjoy aquatic plants and fish, a water garden might be your style In Southwest Florida the abundance of sunshine and warm temperatures provides ideal growing conditions for many aquatic plant species. See article.       

Weed - Any plant growing where you don't want it to. An uninvited and usually unattractive plant that surfaces in gardens. Usually seeds are delivered by winds.The weeds in Southwest Florida grow prolifically and Chris has grown some 10 footers in the compost pile.        

Whip - a very young tree that still has a flexible trunk.  In Florida Chris can turn a whip into a 10 foot tree in 5 years. 

Wilting - The drooping of plant parts, especially leaves, generally because of a lack of water.

Winterkill - Plants unexpectedly killed off by winter weather. This may be caused when temperatures drop in a cold snap and you didn't cover plants with a blanket.

Witches'-broom - a dense, bushy growth of branches and foliage caused by poor pruning techniques.

X

xeric - Characterized by dry conditions; requiring only a small amount of moisture.

Xeriscape -   stands for water-conserving landscapes.

Xeriscaping - Landscaping techniques designed to use water efficiently.  

Xerophyte -   A plant which is able to live under very dry conditions.

Y

NONE    

Z

Zone  - system developed by the USDA to classify areas by their average minimum winter temperatures and plants by their corresponding winter hardiness. The hardiness zone is a geographically defined zone in which a specific plant life is capable of growing, as defined by temperature hardiness, or ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone. The hardiness zones in Florida range from 8 to 11 with 8a being in the northwestern Panhandle region and 11 in the Florida Keys. Southwest Florida is zone 10.