Gardening Terminology

Spring is here, and everyone has the fever to plant, dig and shop! If you are new to the world of gardening, do not worry about asking questions, seasoned gardeners will welcome them and share information.

Beware of “plant Karens” (plant snobs of the gardening world). These folks are easily identified (male and female) and may ridicule and chastise your efforts--and often know just enough gardening info to be dangerous. The beauty of gardening is in the experience, so feel free to make mistakes and always be in “learning mode.” To get your feet on the ground and build your confidence while shopping, the following garden terminology will be helpful.

damage below 45 degrees. These plants are evergreen in their native habitat and can be seen flourishing in the Caribbean countries and South America.

Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes --

Annual – The term is often given to bedding plants that will live their entire life cycle in one year and require replanting each year! Cool weather annuals are planted in mid-late October, and warm weather annuals in midlate spring. Do not shy away from annuals; they are the jewels in every garden and will make it pop. Our growing season is about 6-9 months, and they are definitely worth the expense. Some annuals purchased at box stores “play out” too early. Growers have to meet the demands of large chains and will hit the plants at the seed stage with heavy fertilizers to be shelf ready quickly. You may save a bit up front, but you will pay more on the repurchase.

Reseeding Annual – These will drop seeds and return the following year to grace your garden. Plants such as bluebonnets, zinnias, and vinca are prime examples of reseeding annuals. Ensure these plants are in an area that will stay undisturbed, and they will return year after year.

Perennial – These plants are often deciduous (lose their leaves in the winter months) to return each year in spring. Many perennials are “late,” and folks tend to lose patience and discard before giving them a chance to return. Ornamental grass is a prime example, returning as late as May.

Tropical – This is an industry slang term used to refer to a large group of plants that will not survive freezing temperatures and often incur

Tomato plants generally fall into one of these two categories. Determinate (bush) tomato plants are bred to stop growing around 3-4 feet tall. When flowers blossom at the tips of the branches, the plant has reached its full height. The fruit of a determinate tomato plant ripens all at once. This type of plant is useful for those who want to grow tomatoes for canning. They can also be ideal for the small-space gardener. Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow seemingly indefinitely. Depending on the variety, they can grow from 6-20 tall. This type continues to produce tomatoes all growing season until a hard frost hits and stops them in their tracks. These plants are particularly desirable if you’d like a continuous harvest for slicing or salad tomatoes. If canning, you may need a few more indeterminate plants so that you have plenty to can at any one time.

Self-Pollinator – In the world of fruit trees, certain varieties do not require a second tree’s pollen to produce fruit--figs, citrus, Santa Rosa Plums, blueberries, grapes and a few others.

My personal favorite are the terms Native and Hardy The assumptions and misunderstandings on these terms are legendary. Independent garden center buyers spend countless hours choosing plant varieties that will thrive in their climate--taking soils, weather conditions, ease of growth, deer proof, freeze dates, and light requirements into consideration, among a host of other qualities. A native plant in the Austin area often will not thrive in our woodlands, acid- based area and vice versa. You will miss out on too many amazing plant varieties if you stay with this. Keep in mind, we are in a woodland environment, and what is growing naturally in area also grows from East Texas through Georgia. The past few winters have made the term hardy almost useless. Why? Plants for our zone were not created for single digit temperatures, but they will withstand immense heat and humidity. Plants that easily sustain temps to zero degrees cannot withstand our high soil temperatures and heat, with a few exceptions.

Shade Plants – These plants will thrive in morning sun only and shady after 12:30 to 1:00. Intense shade refers to less than 4 hours of dappled or reflected light-areas. If grass will not grow, this is always a good indicator of high shade.

Full Sun – Plants require 8 hours or more of direct, unfiltered sunlight--such as fruit trees, crops, roses, and a large list of others.

Spring has sprung, and I hope you are enjoying this glorious season of gardening.