A
Annual Annual - A plant that grows, flowers, goes to seed and dies in one year.
Art Deco Art Deco - Art deco is a decorating style that was popular during the latter 1920s and early 1930s. This style originated in Paris, France, and is known for its geometric patterns, angular shapes and bold colors.
Art Nouveau Art Nouveau - Originating in Paris, France, art nouveau is a decorating style that was popular during the 1920s. In French, art nouveau means "new art" and is defined by organic and flowing lines.
Arts and Crafts Arts and Crafts - Arts and Crafts was a decorating style that flourished from the late 1800s to the 1920s in Europe and America. Because the look features clean lines and straightforward style, furnishings and textiles feature simple motifs in a nature-inspired color palette.
B
Biennial Biennial - A plant that grows the first year, flowers the second year and then goes to seed. Many biennials will then reseed and continue this process on their own for many years.
Bolting Bolting - The early flowering of a plant before it develops its crop. Cabbage, lettuce, radishes and several other crops are subject to bolting. Often caused by rapid temperature changes, cool temperatures and over-fertilization with hot manures.
Broadcast Broadcast - To simply scatter seed by hand over the area to be seeded, rather than sowing in rows.
Bud Union Bud Union - The point where a plant has been grafted. Usually indicated by a small knob-like growth on a tree, shrub or rosebush.
C
Cabriole Leg Cabriole Leg - A style often found in Queen Anne furniture.
Cambium Layer Cambium Layer - The green growth layer just next to the bark.
Candles (Pine) Candles (Pine) - New growth that has an upright habit and looks similar to candles until it unfurls. The new growth on pines.
Cane Berries Cane Berries - Types of berries that grow on canes (stocks) rather than vines.
Color Wheel Color Wheel - A color wheel is a chart that shows the spectrum of colors and how they relate to one another.
Commercial Fertilizer Commercial Fertilizer - 5-10-10 is standard commercial fertilizer used for vegetable gardening. All fertilizers have three numbers. The first is nitrogen, the second is phosphorus and the third is potash. Canadians often use 4-10-10 instead.
Compost Compost - Decomposed garden waste such as grass clippings, fallen leaves and other organic matter. Recycling of garden vegetable matter. Once decomposed, these materials are put back into the soil to enrich it.
Conifer Conifer - A plant that bears cones or similar seed cases. Most are evergreen and have needle-like foliage.
D
Deciduous Deciduous - Plants that naturally lose their leaves during the winter.
Drip Line Drip Line - The outer edge of a tree or shrub; the point where water would drip to the ground from the outer leaves of a plant. Often used as a reference point for feeding plants.
E
Etagere Etagere - A series of shelves supported by columns. Used to display collectibles and other decorative items.
Evergreens Evergreens - Plants that maintain their leaves all twelve months of the year.
F
French Provencal French Provencal - French Provencal is a country style of decorating from France that features bright colors, floral prints and painted wood furniture.
G
Gauge Gauge - Gauge describes the thickness of an aluminum slat. Aluminum blinds come in 6-gauge (.006" thickness) and 9-gauge thickness (.009" thickness). Thicker blinds are generally more durable.
Germination Germination - When seeds begin to sprout.
H
Herbicide, Preemergent Herbicide, Preemergent - A weed or grass killer that kills seeds before they begin to grow.
Herbs Herbs - Aromatic plants used for seasoning, medicinal purposes or garnishes. Aromatic herbs are the ones that have fragrant or smelly leaves or flowers.
K
Kiln Dried Kiln Dried - Lumber is dried slowly in a kiln to prevent warping and cracking; this is superior to air drying because the speed and air temperature can be controlled.
L
Lowboy Lowboy - A low chest or tables with drawers.
N
Natural Fiber Rugs Natural Fiber Rugs - Made of sisal, jute, seagrass, coir or bamboo, natural fiber rugs are often used in casual settings such as a porch or family room.
P
Patina Patina - Patina is an aged or faded look.
Perennial Perennial - A plant that grows and flowers for many years. Some are evergreens; others may die back to the ground but will grow back again the following season.
R
Raised Beds Raised Beds - Planting areas that are mounded or boxed above ground level. Hilling soil is another method of raising the soil level. Soil dries out and warms up much more quickly, permitting earlier planting and later harvesting.
S
Sandy Loam Sandy Loam - A combination of sandy soil and loam. Sand content provides good drainage. Loam contains more body and is a combination of silt, sand and clay.
Sideboard Sideboard - Also known as a buffet or credenza. A sideboard is typically used as an accessory item during meals. It is a wide cabinet with drawers or doors.
T
Tertiary Tertiary - Tertiary colors are those created by combining primary and secondary colors.
Transitional Transitional - Transitional is a broad category to define the style between traditional and modern.
V
V-Shaped Furrow V-Shaped Furrow - A planting trench made in the shape of the letter V. It is wide at the top and pointed at the bottom.
Veneer Veneer - Veneer is the paper-thin sheet of wood that sometimes covers the surface of furniture and is approximately 1/100- to 1/4-inch thick.
Victorian Victorian - Victorian era decorating features ornate carvings in furniture and architecture from the mid-1800s. Heavily printed floral drapes, upholstery and rugs are used.
W
Wrought Iron Wrought Iron - While the iron is hot, the iron is bent, pounded and cut to form furniture shapes.