The many services that landscape maintenance professionals provide can lead to misunderstandings of terms and definitions. The following glossary should help you to communicate more effectively with your landscaping maintenance representative.
aeration
A method of increasing water and oxygen into compact soil by creating tiny slices or holes throughout the area.
allowable depletion
The decrease in soil reservoir capacity allowable before adding irrigation water. A medium value turf is typically managed at 50% AD, whereas a low value turf may be managed at a 75% AD.
annual
A plant which grows to maturity and dies within one season; most are frost-sensitive.
balled and burlappedA way of packaging plants in which the roots are contained in a ball of soil held together in burlap.
Also known as: B&B
bulb
An underground storage component of the plant, containing the stem covered by scales; bulbs are planted similarly to seeds.
caliper
The diameter of a tree trunk measured 6,Ae>= (15 cm) above ground level for trees up to 4,Ae>= (100 mm) caliper and 12,Ae>= (30 cm) above the ground for larger sizes.
clay
A soil particle which is plate-like, extremely small and may retain nutrients well.
compost
A soil product created from decomposed garden material, used in flower beds to add nutrients and encourage good growth.
container stock
Trees or shrubs packaged with their roots and growing medium in a plastic or peat-fiber container.
dead head
The process of pinching off used or spent blooms to keep the plants well groomed and to prevent them from setting seed. This will promote continued bloom.
deciduous plants
A plant that loses its leaves in the winter.
defoliation
The process when a plant loses all its leaves.
dethatching
Removing thatches in grass; removal of the dead grass, commonly with a dethatching machine, or a large rake.
drainage
The rate that water will pass through soil.
drought tolerance
The ability of a plant to thrive without much water.
evapotranspiration
The combination of evaporation (water loss from land and water surfaces) and transpiration (water loss from plants).
Also known as: ET
evergreen
A plantwhose leaves or needles are green year-round.
fertilizer
A material added to feed plants rich in nutrients, usually nitrogen (often lost with frequent mowing),
phosphates and potash.
fescue
A luxury turf composed of soft compact fine-leafed grasses.
fungicide
The chemical used to control a fungus-related disease.
germination
The sprouting of a seed, spore or pollen grain.
grading
The process of changing the slope level of an area of soil.
ground cover
Plants that are low-growing and create a blanket appearance over an area.
guy
A rope or wire used as a tree support.
hedge
A variety of shrubs that when planted close together will give a wall-like appearance; often used to separate areas.
herbacous
Dying down at the end of the growing season.
herbicide
A chemical used to control weeds.
inorganic fertilizer
Manufactured fertilizer from raw materials such as natural gas and phosphate rock, which is much more concentrated than organic fertilizers.
iron
A mineral used in keeping grass green.
irrigation
The process of watering a landscape. Often refers to an automatic system.
lime
Calcium material used to raise the pH in soil.
loam
A soil type composed of clay, silt and sand particles in relatively equal amounts. Loam is considered ideal for plants because it drains well but does not dry out quickly.
macronutrients
Essential elements needed in large amounts for healthy plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
micronutrients
Essential elements needed in very small amounts for healthy plant growth: iron, copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, and cobalt.
mulch
A material used to cover soil for moisture conservation and weed suppression.
organic fertilizer
Compounds derived from decomposition of plant and animal products and include blood meal, bone meal, manure, and sewage sludge.
perennial
A plant living for a number of years.
pesticide
A chemical used to control an organism.
pH
The acidity and alkalinity of soil.
planter
The defined area, commonly raised and composed of wood or concrete, used to grow plants.
pore space
Spaces within soil that contain air and water.
pruning
A method of cutting parts of a plant off to control size, health and appearance.
refoliate
Term used for when a plant grows new leaves after a leafless period, usually in the spring.
shocking
Describes the wilting and sometimes loss of leaves after a plant is transplanted to a new area.
sod
Small areas of turf ready for transplant to new locations. Often used to start a new lawn.
sucker
A growth originating from the rootstock of a grafted plant, rather than the desired part of the plant. Sucker growth should be removed, so it doesn’t draw energy from the plant.
systemic
A chemical which is absorbed directly into a plants system to either kill feeding insects on the plant, or to kill the plant itself.
temperature tolerance
Cold or heat, the degree at which a plant can handle temperatures and survive.
thatch
The live or dead layer of roots and stems between the turf of a lawn and the soil. 1/2 inch is helpful, over 1 inch is harmful by keeping out water.
topiary
A decorative style of plant growth controlled by shaping with pruning or shearing.
transplant
Moving a plant from one location to another.
turf
A ground cover of grass which can withstand reasonable traffic.
variegation
A pattern of leaves that contains either white or yellow markings.
Read moreRead less
