A

Aerobic Compost-Composting activity that goes on with the use of oxygen. This is a quicker, but more labor intensive method resulting in compost that can be spread over the garden.

Anaerobic Compost-Composting without the use of oxygen. This process requires little to no effort, but requires more time to mature. Annual-a plant with a life cycle (from seed to flowering, fruiting, and dying) of one full growing season, typically one year in duration.

B

Bat Guano- an organic fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is a natural nematocide and fungicide. Beneficial Insects-insects that help with the process of pest control, and work in symbiotic relationships with plants (see also parasitic insects)

Biennial-a plant with a two-year life cycle that typically produces flowers and fruits in the second year of life. Biodynamic-A method of gardening originally developed by Rudolf Stiener, incorporates the rhythms of the earth in order to practice agriculture most beneficially to all.

Bio-diesel-A type of diesel made from biological, or plant produced substances. It has been found to produce a much lower amount of CO2 emissions. Biodiversity-the variation of plant and animal life that naturally occurs in ecosystems. Biodiversity is used to measure the health of an ecosystem, the higher the biodiversity the healthier the ecosystem.

C

Cardboard Mulching-a type of weed control often used in sustainable agriculture. The plants are planted, and then covered with layers of recycled cardboard, and then additional organic material. This prevents many weeds from growing up around and crowding the plant.

Cellulose-a structural component of plants that is used to make bio-fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel.  

Companion Planting-Planting several different plants together that will mutually benefit each other as they grow. A classic example is the planting of corn squash and beans that has been done for hundreds of years, originally started by Native Americans. The squash provides groundcover, and the beans fix nitrogen and climb up the corn, which provides support.

Composting-the process by which organic materials such as grass clippings, leaves, and food waste are decomposed in a controlled manner. The resulting compost is then used to add nutrients back into the garden.

Compost Tea-a "tea" that is brewed using compost and water for application on garden plants. This "tea" can be applied to the leaves as well as to the base of the plant and is helpful for many plant diseases.

Compost Tumblers-a self-contained composting bin that can be rotated to improve the speed and efficiency of compost decomposition. They are best used for small amounts of material-such as home food waste. Container Gardening-a method of growing plants outside in pots, barrels, and similar containers.

Community Gardens-plots of vacant land given or leased to non-profit organizations or city parks and recreation departments, that promote gardening for the members of its community. Crop Rotation-a system to care for soil quality by rotating different types of crops. Plants are rotated so that nutrients continue to be replenished in the soil.

D

Double Digging-a practice of digging to a certain depth (2 feet) and adding compost to improve soil structure and fertility.

Drip Irrigation- a method of irrigation by which plants are kept hydrated by perforated pipes above or just under the soil. These techniques have been developed to keep plants hydrated with the least amount of water possible.

E

Ethanol-a type of fuel that is being developed from cellulose as a clean and sustainable additive to gasoline

F

Fish Emulsion-a nitrogen rich fertilizer made from fish byproducts rescued from fish processing operations. It is a very nitrogen rich and effective fertilizer. Flame Weeding-also called thermal weed control, this technique uses a flame from a propane burner to burn and kill weeds.

G

Genetically Engineered Plants- plants that have been genetically manipulated to create a "new" plant that would not be produced by normal biological reproductive means. Genetically engineered plants are regulated by the USDA, FDA, and EPA in the US. Gray Water-untreated water that is not suitable for drinking but can be used for irrigation purposes.

Green Gardening-a method of gardening that uses gardening products and techniques that are environmentally-friendly.

H

Heat Island Effect-a documented phenomenon that takes place in urban and suburban areas where temperatures are as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) hotter than in rural areas.

Heirloom Seeds-Seeds that have traditionally been saved by families, generation after generation. These seeds have many qualities and are desirable for their high qualitly and taste.

Hybrid Seeds-Seeds that have been selectively bred for certain desirable traits.

Hydroponics-a method of growing plants in a soilless medium such as water where roots are submersed in a nutrient solution.

I

Insect Pollination-more than two thirds of all fruits and vegetables are pollinated by insects. Insects carry pollen from plant to plant as well as within a particular plant. This is essential to the formation of fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Integrated Pest Management-a multi-faceted, environmentally-friendly approach to pest management that takes in account the life cycles of pests and how they interact with their environment.

Invasive Species-a plant or animal species that is not native to the region but has "moved in", often out-competing native plants for resources and in extreme cases causing extinction of native plants.

J

K

Kelp-a sea plant that is used as an organic fertilizer.

 L

Lasagna Gardening-a no-dig gardening method that uses the technique of layering newspapers, peat moss, and organic matter to grow vegetables.

M

N

Native Plants-plants that are indigenous to a specific region. They often require little or no care once they are planted and often end up attracting many interesting animals and insects.

Native Prairie-the grasses and flowers that are native to the Midwest region of the United States, extending from Canada south to Texas.

Naturalistic Design-design that is based on ecosystems and plant community patterns and found in nature.

Neem Oil-oil from the Neem Tree that is effective in houseplant pest management and leaf polishing.

O

Organic Certification-A certification by the USDA or other independent certifiers that states that a product or producer is within the Organic growing guidelines.

Organic Fertilizer-fertilizers that do not contain any chemicals or synthetic compounds.

Organic Gardening-a method of gardening that uses organic fertilizers, compost, beneficial insects, and other environmentally-friendly gardening practices.

P

Pest Management-see Integrated Pest Management

Parasitic Insects-Parasitic insects are used as a form of Organic and sustainable pest control. They prey on garden pests, often greatly reducing the common problem of garden pests. An example can be seen in the aphid wasp, which parasitizes on the aphid, a common garden pest.

Perennial-a plant that lives for at least three years or more and that generally dies back at the end of the growing season (winter), regenerating in spring.

Pollinators-insects such as bees, birds, butterflies, and flies that carry pollen from one flower to another. PH-in gardening, a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, where 7.0 is considered neutral and numbers below 7.0 indicate acidity and those above indicate alkalinity.

Q

R

Rain Barrels-barrels that are placed under downspouts and used to collect rainwater, which can be used to water plants.

Rainwater Storage-there are many types of rainwater storage systems that allow you to store rainwater for later use in the garden. These range from the old-fashioned rain barrel to many sophisticated storage facilities.

Recycling-there are many ways to recycle in the garden. This includes recycling kitchen food scraps, garden clippings and yard waste, and cardboard products. Roof Garden-a garden that is built on an existing rooftop using a waterproof membrane, specialized drainage systems, a lightweight growing medium, and plants. Rubber Mulch-a recycled alternative to bark mulches. This product is made from recycled tires and is very useful for protecting against weeds, along pathways and roads.

S

Slow Food-a movement originating in Italy that emphasizes the local and regional production of food, especially focusing on the many traditions of food present throughout the world.

Slow Gardening-Slow Gardening is a method of gardening that focuses on the compatibility between the gardener and his/her garden. It is about building a garden around how you want to garden, taking into account personality, available time, location, climate, etc.

Soil Conservation-the practices of planting and organizing a garden in ways that greatly reduce the erosion of soils. These practices include cover crops, crop rotations, and planning more permanently, for example increasing the number of perennials in a garden.

Square Foot Gardening-an intensive gardening method that uses plots measuring 4 x feet (16 SF) that is further subdivided into one-foot squares and planted with vegetables. Soaker Hose-a rubber hose perforated with numerous holes and used to irrigate gardens by allowing water to seep into the soil. T

U

V

Vermiculture-the method of composting with earthworms. Composting is expedited by the activity of the earthworms eating and excreting a nutrient-rich compost in the form of worm castings.

W

X

Xeriscape-a gardening method that uses as little water as possible by choosing plants that are drought tolerant and native to the region.

Y

Z