LANDSCPE LAWN CARE AND DEFINITIONS WIKI
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms A – F
Acid Soil – Soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acidic soil. (A soil pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline) Basically, pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil.
Acre – An acre of property is a measurement of land totaling 43,560 square feet.
Aerate – Loosening or puncturing the soil to increase water penetration.
Aeration – The process of removing plugs of soil to relieve soil compaction and allowing oxygen, water and nutrients to enter the ground.
Alkaline Soil – A soil with a pH higher than 7.0 is an alkaline soil. (a soil pH lower than 7.0 is acidic) Basically, pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil.
Amazing Spaces – Making you proud of your property; making Amazing Spaces. This is a Company started by Christina G. White in 2011 for landscape improvement services such as Landscaping and Irrigation Installations.
Amendment – Any substance, such as manure, peat or mulch, used to alter the properties of soil.
Annuals – A plant living only one year or growing season.
Arbor – An Arbor is a piece of framework that is designed to provide shade or a sitting area in the garden. They are usually made from wood or lattice, which also serves as a structure for climbing vines and other plants.
Back Flow Preventer – Valve that allows water to flow only in one direction. Prevents backflow of water into the main water line, preventing contamination.
Backfill – Soil used to fill a planting hole after the plant has been positioned. Amended soil is often used as backfill.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms F – J
Foundation Plants – Trees and shrubs that enhance the look of a home when placed next to the foundation of a house.
Fountain – A fountain is a landscaping feature which is generally described as an object which flows water from top to bottom. Fountains act as focal points throughout landscapes.
Fungicide – A substance or agent that destroys or is capable of destroying fungi.
Garden Bed – A garden bed is raised off the ground slightly by a retaining wall and edging. It is filled with soil and planted trees, flowers and shrubs to create an individual garden area in landscaping.
Garden – A garden is a space of the landscaping which is filled with flowers, trees, plants and shrubs.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms J – P
Key Plants – Key Plants is a landscaping term which is used to describe important and key plants which will dominate the landscaping and become focal points throughout it.
Landscape Lighting – Landscape lighting is a type of electrical lighting which is used to beautify landscaping at night time or create an ambiance. To accent tall trees or shrubs.
Landscape Maintenance – This is defined as maintaining and looking after the complete landscape from mowing lawns or pruning garden shrubs.
Landscape Ornaments-These are objects which can be implemented in to the garden or landscape design. Examples are: statues, sundials, gnomes, wind chimes, etc.
Landscape – To improve the appearance of an area by planting trees, shrubs, or grass, or altering the contours of the ground.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms P – S
Pesticide – A chemical substance used to kill pests.
Pest – Pests can negatively impact plants. Undesirable insects are considered pests.
PH level – This indicates the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. A pH value of 7.0 is neutral. Values less than this are acidic, while values greater are alkaline. Soil pH can be raised by adding lime (increasing alkalinity) and lowered by adding sulfur (increasing acidity).
Photosynthesis – The chemical on a green plant which causes it to produce carbohydrates when exposed to light.
Planter – The defined area, commonly raised and composed of wood or concrete, used to grow plants.
Pruning – method of cutting parts of a plant off to control size, health and appearance
Post – emergent Herbicide-A chemical that kills plants after they have emerged from soil.
Power Seeding-method of applying seed involving turning up the soil to achieve proper seed to soil contact.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms S – T
Sphagnum – A bog moss which is collected and composted, used for lining hanging baskets and air layering.
Spore – The reproductive cell of ferns, fungi and mosses. (These plants do not produce seeds)
Spray Head – An irrigation head used to disperse water across a specific location or area of square footage.
Spreader – There are broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders; to broadcast- set spreader settings and simply walk and push spreader to administer a broadcast of granular materials to location. Drop spreader- set spreader and simply walk and push to drop materials to the location directly under the spreader. Hand held- to administer materials of small amounts to beds.
Sprinkler System (irrigation) – Sprinkler systems are used on large or small properties to help keep landscaping well maintained.
St. Augustine – Slow growth, shade tolerant turf, requires plenty of moisture for survival. Grows above ground stolons that can reach several feet. Broad leaves compared to other grass, with a rounded tip. Must be planted from sod or plugs.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms T – Z
Topsoil – The top layer of native soil. This term may also apply to good quality soil.
Transplant – Moving a plant from one location to another. Replanting or transplanting.
Tuber – A flat underground stem which stores food and plant energy and from which a plant or weed grows.
Turf – A layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
Variegated Leaves – Are types of leaves which have different patterns and colors throughout them.
Lawn and Landscape Care Terms T-Z
Topsoil – The top layer of native soil. This term may also apply to good quality soil.
Transplant – Moving a plant from one location to another. Replanting or transplanting.
Tuber – A flat underground stem which stores food and plant energy and from which a plant or weed grows.
Turf – A layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
Variegated Leaves – Are types of leaves which have different patterns and colors throughout them.
Variegation – A pattern of leaves that contains either white or yellow markings. Varied coloration.
Vegetable Garden – A small garden where vegetables are planted and grown.
Water Tank – Is an item which is used to collect and store rainfall. The water is recycled and used throughout the landscaping to help keep items watered.
Weed Eating – Line trimming around all obstacles on property. (With a weed eater)
Zoysia Grass – Slow growing grass, can take up to a year to establish a lawn. It has stiff leaf blades and will produce numerous seed heads if it isn’t mowed. It forms a lawn that feels like thick prickly carpet. Stolons are often covered with tan colored husks.