You are here: Home

Grow Your Own


All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Other


All

There are 160 entries in the glossary.
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »

TermDefinition
RootrainersVery well designed seed trays that direct the seedlings roots down and are easy to open at transplanting time
 
RootstockMost fruit trees and some grape vines are grown on roots from different species, usually to promote or control vigour
 
RosemaryRosemary (rosmarinus officianalis, labiatae)
A hardy evergreen herb with narrow pine like leaves, there are many forms from creepers to large shrubs, all have a typically resinous aroma. Widely used in aromatherapy and the kitchen, has some medicinal properties.
 
RotenoneThe active ingedient of the insecticide Derris (dust or liquid)
 
RunnerRunners are small, often bare root strawberry plants which you will probably use to kick off your strawberry patch.  Established strawberry plants produce them by throwing out long stems which root at intervals along the ground and sprout leaves.  Let them root and dig them up, or remove them straight away and pot them up to give away, or if you and your friends have more strawberries than you can shake a spoon at, chop them off and compost them as they may sap strength from your existing plants.
 
RustA fungal disease that affects all the aliums (Onions, leeks, garlic etc)
 
SageSage (salvia officinalis, labiatae)
Most sages belong to the species salvia officianalis but there are others, all are evergreen with varying degrees of hardiness. The leaves are widley used as a herb in the kitchen, aromatherapy and some have medicinal uses too.
 
Savory, SummerSummer Savory (satureja hortensis, labiatae)
A hardy annual herb, grows up to 30 cm. Useful in the kitchen and good for salt free diets. Combines well with beans.
 
Savory, WinterWinter Savory (satureja montana, labiatae)
A hardy semi-evergreen perennial herb up to 30 cm high. Useful in the kitchen, good for salt free diets, has medicinal uses too.
 
ScabA fairly common fungal disease of apples, pears and some ornamentals. Normally results in slightly scabby fruits but can sometimes result in premature leaf fall and damage to shoots which can then allow entry of the much more serious disease Canker.
 
ScionThe upper (fruiting) section of a grafted tree or bush
 
Seed leavesThe first set of leaves produced by a seedling, which it will lose quite early in its life; therefore this is what you hold on to when pricking out seedlings.
 
Seed potatoNot a seed in the conventional sense - it looks just like a potato you'd bake and serve with cheese, and that's more or less what it is. Seed potatoes are produced in colder regions (in the UK usually Scotland) so that when you plant them there's less risk of infection from viruses and other nasties.
 
Self FertileThis means that a plant will set fertile seed even in the absence of a pollinating partner
 
SetThe onion equivalent of seed potatoes, although onions can be grown from seed they are often grown from sets which are mini onions
 
Sorrel, Broad LeavedBroad Leaved Sorrel (rumex acetosa, polygonaceae)
A hardy perennial up to 75 cm high, the young leaves add a sharp lemon flavour to salads, also makes a good soup.
 
Sorrel, FrenchFrench Sorrel (rumex scutatus, polygonaceae) also kown as Buckler Leaf Sorrel a hardy perennial up to 30 cm high, the young leaves add a sharp lemon flavour to salads
 
SpawnA pre colonised medium used to innoculate logs or other items for mushroom growing
 
SplittingSplitting in root vegetables can occur if a period of drought or poor watering is followed by heavy rain or watering. Split roots will not store well so use as quickly as possible
 
SpraingA disorder of potato tubers, caused by virus infection. There are two different viruses that can cause spraing-type damage: Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) and Potato Mop Top Virus (PMTV).

TRV is the more common, it's associated with light sandy or gravelly soils and does the most damage.

PMTV occurs on wetter, heavier soils, or under cool, wet conditions, and affects only a few potato varieties.

Affected potatoes show red/brown, corky lesions visible when it is cut
NEVER SAVE POTENTIALLY INFECTED TUBERS FOR SEED if you think your crop may have spraing do not compost the potatoes or any foliage

The following varieties are susceptible to TRV:
Arran Comet, Ailsa, Cara, Carlingford, Estima, Foxton, Kirsty, Maris Bard, Pentland Dell, Pentland Hawk, Pentland Ivory, Stirling, Ulster Prince.

The following varieties are susceptible to PMTV:
Arran Pilot, Ulster Sceptre, Pentland Crown, Ulster Premier, Cara, Maris Piper, Estima, Maris Bard
 
StandardA method of training trees and bushes that leaves a single exposed trunk with the branches starting further up the plant. all fruit trees can be qrown like this but so can fruits that are normally bushes like gooseberries and even grapes
 
SulphurUsed to neutralise alkaline soils or acifdify normal soils for specific plants, available as chips which are released slowly into the soil, normally lasting 2-3 years
 
Sweet CicelySweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata, apiaceae )
A herbaceous hardy annual herb with fern like leaves, grows to 50 cm high. The leaves which have a sweet aniseed like fragrance can be used to sweeten tart fruits, also has medicinal properties.
 
Tarragon, FrenchFrench Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus, compositae)
A half hardy perennial grows up to 90 cm high. An excellent culinary herb with a mild aniseed flavour.
 
The Plaited OneOrganic gardener Bob Flowerdew, a frequent guest on the best gardening programme BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time as well as the author of many excellent books
 


All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Other


Glossary V1.5