Gardening Terms T

A list of some of the common terms used in gardening that start with the letter T.

This list is by no means a complete collection of horticultural techniques and terms.

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Gardening terms T

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T Gardening Terms

Tangle foot: A sticky substance applied around the trunks of a tree to capture insects that want to climb the tree. Wrap the trunk with a round of tree wrap and place the tanglefoot onto it.

taproot: A single decending root of certain plants, like a carrot. Taprooted plants are harder to transplant.

tender plant: A plant that cannot withstand winter temperature.

tendril: A spiraling growth that coils around anything it can grab to help support the plant as it climbs.

tepal: Petal or sepal, where there is no distinct difference between the two.

terminal: Growing at the end of a stem or branch.

terrarium: An enclosed glass container for growing plants.

thatch: Accumuulation of dead and dying grass, leaves, roots that lay below the top of the grass but above the soil layer.

thinning: Removal of some plants to help avoid crowded conditions. Pruning out branches and stems on a tree, shrub or perennial to improve its shape, growth and air circulation.

throat: The opening of a tubular flower.

tip layering: Placing the tip of a branch that is still attached into the soil and holding it down until it forms a root system.

top dressing: Placing mulch, fertilizer or compost onto the surface of the ground and not working it in.

topping: Severe cutting of the tops of trees without regard to shape.

topsoil: Fertile soil in the upper levels of the ground can be as little as half an inch or as much as a couple of feet.

transpiration: Water loss by evaporation from leaves and stems.

transplant: Moving a plant from one growing area to another.

tree: A woody perennial plant usually having a single trunk and at least ten feet tall at maturity.

tree guard: A device placed around the trunk of a tree to prevent damage from animals, people and lawnmowers.

trellis: An open framework typically of lattice used to support climbing plants.

tropical plant:A plant that is native to the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

tuber: A fleshy underground stem bearing scale leaves with eyes.