A Beginner's Guide to Gardening Lingo

All the words you need to know to get growing with confidence!

Starting a garden can feel like stepping into a whole new world — and sometimes it seems like gardeners are speaking a different language entirely! Don’t worry. Whether you’re growing veg in containers or planting your first border, we’ve broken down the most common gardening terms so you can grow with confidence (and understand what everyone’s talking about).

Plant Types

• Annuals – Plants that complete their life cycle in one year. You plant them, they bloom, and then they die (e.g. marigolds, petunias).

• Perennials – Plants that come back year after year. Think of them as the reliable ones (e.g. lavender, peonies).

• Biennials – These grow leaves the first year, bloom in the second, then die. A bit of a slow burn! (e.g. foxgloves).

• Hardy – A plant that can survive frost and cold weather.

• Tender – Can’t handle frost – keep these warm or indoors in winter.

Garden Areas & Layout

• Border – A flower bed along a wall or fence.

• Bed – A patch of soil for planting (usually separate from your lawn).

• Container Gardening – Growing plants in pots, tubs or planters – great for patios or small spaces.

• Raised Bed – A garden bed built up above ground level, often framed with wood.

Planting & Care

• Sow – To plant seeds directly in the soil or a pot.

• Transplant – Moving a plant from one place to another (like from a pot into the ground).

• Deadheading – Removing spent (dead) flowers to encourage new blooms.

• Thinning – Removing some seedlings to give others space to grow.

• Mulch – A layer (often bark, compost, or straw) put on top of the soil to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Growth & Health

• Germination – When a seed starts to grow into a plant.

• Rootbound – When a plant’s roots have grown too tightly in a pot – time to repot!

• Compost – Decomposed organic matter that’s great for feeding your soil.

• Drainage – How well water moves through soil. “Good drainage” = no soggy roots.

• Loam – The ideal soil type: a mix of sand, silt and clay.

Common Pests & Problems

• Aphids – Tiny insects that suck plant sap. You’ll find them in clusters.

• Slugs & Snails – Love to munch young leaves – especially after rain!

• Powdery Mildew – A white, powdery coating on leaves – usually caused by poor airflow.

• Blight – A fungal disease that affects tomatoes and potatoes, especially in wet weather.

Sun, Water & Seasons

• Full Sun – Needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

• Partial Shade – Needs some sun, but not too much.

• Watering In – Giving plants a good soak right after planting.

• Frost Date – The average date of the last spring frost or first autumn frost – super useful for planning.

Bonus Terms You’ll Hear in Garden Centres

• Hardening Off – Gradually getting indoor-grown plants used to outdoor life.

• Feeding – Giving plants extra nutrients, usually via liquid feed or compost.

• Pinching Out – Removing the tips of stems to encourage bushier growth.

• Leggy – When plants grow tall and spindly from too little light.

Final Tip: Don’t Worry About Getting It All Right!

Gardening is full of trial and error, and every gardener — even the pros — are always learning. The most important thing is to enjoy the process, get your hands a little dirty, and celebrate each little sprout