Basic Gardening Flashcards
Annual Plant
Lives it’s whole life in a single year
Biennial Plant
Takes two years to finish its life cycle
Perennial Plants
Lives for many years
Bulbs
Layered, grows from the center, and the layers feed it as it sprouts
Corms
Solid lump grows from bulb on top of corm
Tubers
Swollen underground organ, sprouts from “eyes”
Rhizome
Underground stems that grow horizontally
What are the three main nutrients plants need to grow?
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
N
Nitrogen
P
Phosphorous
K
Potassium
What is soil PH?
Measures the acidity of the soil
What are common signs of overwatering a plant?
Yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, and root rot
What are hardiness zones?
Geographic areas defined by climate to help determine which plants will thrive there
What is the best time of day to water most plants?
Early morning: allows water to soak in before the heat of the day and reduces disease risk
What is compost?
Decomposed organic matter
Why is compost important?
Improves soil structure, fertility, and moisture retention
What is mulching?
Adding a layer of material on soil
Why is mulching important?
To retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate temperature
What does “full sun” mean?
Plant needs at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day
