Your go-to guide to get started with gardening
As we celebrate National Gardening Week (29th April – 4th May), there’s no better time to dig in, learn, and grow your gardening knowledge! Whether you’re planting your first seed or adding a new plant to your garden, understanding common gardening terms can make all the difference. Here’s a friendly breakdown of the jargon you’ll encounter while gardening this week and beyond.
Types of Plants & Growth Habits
- Annual – Plants that grow, flower, set seed, and die all within 12 months. Great for quick bursts of colour!
e.g., marigolds, sweet peas - Biennial – Plants that grow leaves in their first year, flower the second year, and then die.
e.g., foxgloves, honesty - Perennial – Plants that return year after year, often flowering more each season. These plants are fantastic for lasting impact!
e.g., lavender, echinacea - Hardy – Can survive the winter in most UK gardens without protection.
e.g., daisies, heathers - Half-hardy / Tender – These plants need protection from frost and should be planted after the last frost.
e.g., geraniums, tomatoes - Herbaceous – Plants that have soft stems which die back in winter, regrowing in spring.
e.g., hostas, peonies - Dormant – Period of inactivity in plants, typically in winter, where growth halts until better conditions return.
- pH Levels – The acidity or alkalinity of your soil. A key factor for healthy plant growth!
- Acidic soil: pH below 7, ideal for plants like blueberries and azaleas.
- Neutral soil: pH around 7, perfect for most plants.
- Alkaline soil: pH above 7, great for plants like lavender.
Tip: Test your soil’s pH using an affordable kit to find the best plants for your garden!
Where & How to Plant
- Full sun – Requires 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Partial shade – Grows best with a mix of light and shade.
- Full shade – Ideal for areas with little to no direct sunlight.
- Sheltered – Areas protected from wind and frost.
- Well-drained soil – Soil that doesn’t hold water, ideal for many Mediterranean plants.
- Moisture-retentive soil – Soil that holds water, perfect for shady areas or bog plants.
- Seed Drill: A shallow trench made in the soil to sow seeds evenly.
Gardening Techniques
- Deadheading – The process of removing faded flowers to encourage new blooms and extend the plant’s flowering season.
- Pruning – Trimming back dead or overgrown branches to maintain plant health.
- Pinching out – Removing the tip of a shoot to encourage a bushier plant.
- Staking – Using supports like canes to prevent tall plants from falling over.
- Hardening off – Slowly acclimating indoor-grown plants to outdoor conditions to reduce transplant shock.
- Naturalise – Bulbs or plants that settle into your garden and come back year after year without much help — think daffodils or bluebells that spread naturally over time.
Soil & Feeding Terms
- Compost – Nutrient-rich organic matter used to improve soil quality.
- Mulch – A layer placed over soil to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertiliser – Plant food to nourish plants and encourage healthy growth.
- Organic – Gardening without the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilisers for an eco-friendly approach.
- Peat-free compost – An eco-friendly option that’s kinder to our environment.
- Ericaceous – Describes acidic soil or compost (low pH). Essential for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and blueberries, which don’t thrive in alkaline conditions.
Common Phrases You’ll Hear
- Leggy – A plant that has grown tall and spindly, usually due to a lack of light.
- Thinning out – The process of removing extra seedlings to allow the remaining ones to grow strong.
- Suckers – Shoots that grow from the rootstock of a grafted plant. Usually, these are unwanted.
- Bolting – When plants, especially leafy vegetables, flower too early due to stress or heat.
- Root-bound – When a plant’s roots have filled up the pot and are restricting growth.
Sustainable Gardening
- Pollinator-friendly – Plants that attract and support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Great for creating a wildlife haven!
- Rainwater harvesting – Collecting rainwater in a barrel or tank for use in your garden, which reduces water waste.
- FSC-certified – Wood sourced from responsibly managed forests, often seen in furniture and tools.
Use National Gardening Week as your excuse to start your garden project! Whether you’re choosing low-maintenance plants, creating a pollinator garden, or growing your own herbs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Need some inspiration? Visit us for a range of plants, tools, and expert advice to get started.