Terms to Know

A plant whose lifecycle lasts for one growing season

A plant whose lifecycle falls between annuals and perennials, lasting about two years. The plant typically grows foliage the first year and produces blooms the second year

As a result of hotter temperatures or a natural part of the lifecycle, plants transition from growing to producing seed for reproduction. This occurs as the main flowering stalk experiences rapid growth

The everyday language name of a plant, may differ from location to location as it is dependent on what the local community of a given region call it

A vertical and swollen underground plant stem that acts as a food-storage system in some plants. It helps plants survive adverse conditions, including winter or summer drought

The first leaf, or first part of the plant, to emerge from a germinating seed

Pollen from one plant transfers and interacts with pollen from another plant, usually within the same species. This may result in growth of hybrids

A plant that has been intentionally selected and propagated by humans to continue to develop some desirable characteristic, such as drought or disease resistance

The estimated number of days it will take a plant to mature to a harvestable size. A highly variable suggestion based on the growing environment of the plant. Time of year, heat, sun exposure, soil, moisture, pests and disease, weed competition, crowding, age of seed at time of planting and many other variables will impact the actual number of days a plant takes to grow and mature

The act of removing flower heads that have gone to seed or died to maintain the appearance and health of the plant

Plants that are typically bushier and more compact. These plants have one growth period in which they will reach a certain size and produce a large set of fruit at once. Compare with indeterminate plants

A method of planting seeds directly into the soil or container in which it will grow

Change in the gene structure of a particular group of plants that is a result of the free movement and interaction of pollen, seed and live plants carrying the modified gene. 

A change in the gene pool of a small population that typically occurs by chance and can result in a plant population that is significantly different from the original 

The process of the seed first beginning to grow. A tiny first root develops and moves down into the soil, followed by a shoot that unfurls up toward light

Gradually exposing a seedling started indoors to outside conditions before transplanting

Geographic areas that have an average annual minimum temperature, which is a factor that is relevant to the growth of plants as it can help determine when to begin sowing seeds

Old, open-pollinated varieties of plant that have been passed from generation to generation

Seeds that are the result of intentional cross-pollination of plants to enhance specific characteristics such as disease resistance

Plants that are typically taller and vine-like. These plants will produce a continuous supply of fruit over a longer period of time. Compare with determinate growth

Usually a result of inadequate light or soil conditions, plants will develop spindly stems and few leaves

The result of stems bending over near the base of the plant, or at ground level, of grain crops and results in lower yield

Pollination that occurs without human intervention, instead the result of bees, moths, birds, wind and rain. The seed that develops will produce the same plant the following year

The process of plants passing through or waiting out the winter months as these conditions make normal activity and survival difficult are difficult for some

Coating seeds in clay to create a uniform, round shape that is easier for machines to handle or plant by hand. These seeds have a shorter lifecycle than non-pelleted seeds and should be used within the same year as they are created or purchased

A plant whose lifecyle persists for several years, usually going dormant during the winter and returning the following growing season

Transplanting a potted plant from one container to another, usually a larger plant pot

Indicates the degree of sunlight a particular plant requires to germinate and grow

The process of scarring the hard outer layer of seeds to assist in the germination process. This involves gently scratching, nicking, sanding, or soaking the seed in a diluted solution to mimic the damage to the outer coating would experience in a natural environment. Not typically necessary for garden vegetable seeds

The "formal" name given to a plant meant to define for broader recognition. The names are derived from the genus and the species, but can contain additional information about the cultivar of the plant

Also referred to as a seed vault, these are locations that operate as a gene bank and store seeds to preserve genetic diversity

Events that encourage and stimulate the exchange of seeds, other plant material, and plant knowledge between people

The process of germinating and growing seeds somewhere different than the final growing location, with the intention of transplanting the plant once appropriate to do so. This can include starting seeds indoors and transplanting the plant outdoors once temperatures are adequate for proper growth

Pollination of a flower that occurs as a result of interaction with pollen from the same flower

A plant whose lifecycle lasts more than two years, but tends to die off after a few years even in favorable conditions

Planting methods that are intended to extend a gardener's harvest by staggering planting of crops based on maturing dates and other related factors

The process of exposing seeds to colder conditions as a way to mimic the winter dormancy period. This is typically not required for garden vegetable seeds

A perennial that is particularly sensitive to colder weather conditions and will die out as a result of prolonged exposure

The process of removing some seedlings from a plant to prevent overcrowding and allow adequate growth of other seedlings. Involves any method of removing the seedlings such as cutting or pulling

The process of moving a plant from one location to another

This phrase indicates that a perennial will not survive the local weather conditions, meaning that it will die once the growing season has ended and can be grown again from seed at the next growing season 

A seed that has been coated with fungicide to assist in the germination process by preventing seed exposure to soil pathogens

A seed that has not undergone any processing or coating

A naturally occurring plant that is different from the standard species in some way due to cross-pollination and other natural factors

The process of exposing germinated seeds, seedlings, or plants to lower temperatures to stimulate early flowering production 

Tells how long a particular seed is capable of germination under the best conditions. Germination rates decrease as a seed ages