Our head gardener Emma O’Neill demystifies some organic gardening language so you can get the season off to a skilled start

Alternative text should describe the visual content of the image. — The terms ‘true leaves’ and ‘cotyledon’ are among the words that can confuse gardeners

When you first start gardening, there is so much to learn. From botanical names, crop rotation, right-plant right-place to whether your lettuce has bolted – technical gardening jargon can leave you confused.

Here, I outline some common terms that bamboozled me when I first started gardening and uncover what they actually mean. There are of course many more expressions you might come across - but I’ve found gardeners are generally willing to share their knowledge and experiences, so don’t be afraid to ask! Email us at [email protected] if you’re struggling with a tricky term.

Soil sayings 🔗

Organic matter – soil organic matter consists of living and once living materials in the soil such as plants, animals, microorganisms and waste products from them. It’s essential for soil health - providing nutrients, aiding moisture retention, and improving soil structure.
Humus – often referred to as organic matter, but humus is the end product of decomposition.
No dig – in simple terms the soil is not turned or dug, so the soil structure remains undisturbed.
Mulch – a layer of material applied to the surface of the soil. It can be a number of substances such as compost bark and grass clippings. It locks in moisture, improves soil structure, and suppresses weeds.
Tilth – this refers to the quality/physical condition of the soil. How well aggregated the soil is, in other words its suitability for planting and sowing in. When raking to a fine tilth this is the process of making the soil fine and crumbly ready for those fine plant roots.
Microorganisms – Microscopic living organisms such as bacteria and fungi that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Seed sowing terms 🔗

Cotyledon – a seed leaf that is within the embryo of the seed, emerging first they are often different in shape to the plant's ‘true leaves’.
True leaves – the second set of leaves to grow after the seed leaves; they represent the shape, structure and function of the mature plant.
Broadcast – to scatter the seeds (so the opposite of sowing in rows), generally used for lawns and wildflowers. This can be done by hand or mechanically.
Harden off – this is the term referred to when acclimatising your young plants, the process of getting the plants used to coming outside before they are finally planted. This means placing them outdoors in the day and bringing in at night for a few weeks, or moving them to a cold frame. This is to prevent transplant shock, wind, and sun damage.
Pricking out – separating your seeds into individual pots if in seed trays or moving from a small cell tray to the next size. This is done when the plants have their true leaves and are large enough to handle. The purpose is to give the plants more space, nutrients, and light.

Plant lifecycle terminology 🔗

Annual – this type of plant has its entire life cycle in one growing season.
Biennial – these plants, as the name suggests, have their biological life cycle over two years. Usually, these plants (such as foxgloves) will grow leaves and roots in the first year, and flower and set seed in year two.
Perennial – plants can live for many years – though the definition refers to plants that live over two years. They can be herbaceous (dying back every year and returning the following year), or evergreen.

General terms 🔗

Bolting – this term refers to vegetables and it’s when the plant goes into seed production prematurely. It signifies the end of its edible life.
Blanching – often used with celery and leeks, this is when you exclude light from a part of the plant, preventing chlorophyll production and encouraging tender and pale vegetables.
Chitting – this refers to potatoes, standing them in a cool light place to encourage short stubby shoots, so in simple terms to encourage the plant to sprout before planting.