Seed: A plant's package holding a baby plant and food Germination: When a seed begins to sprout Seedling: A very young plant Sprout: A new shoot from a seed Roots: Plant parts that take in water and nutrients and hold the plant in place Stem: Plant part that holds up leaves and carries water and food Leaves: Plant parts that make food using sunlight Flower: Plant part that makes seeds Fruit: The part of a plant that holds seeds Photosynthesis: How plants use sunlight, water and air to make food Soil: Earth where plants grow, made of rock bits, air, water and living things Compost: Rotted plant and food waste that enriches soil Mulch: A layer of material on the soil that keeps moisture in and weeds down Fertilizer: Plant food added to soil Weed: A plant growing where it is not wanted Pollination: Moving pollen so flowers can make seeds Pollinator: An animal like a bee or butterfly that moves pollen Annual: A plant that lives one year Perennial: A plant that lives for many years Biennial: A plant that lives two years Bulb: An underground storage part that grows a new plant, like a tulip or onion Tuber: A thick underground stem, like a potato Transplant: Move a plant to a new place Thin: Remove extra seedlings to give others space Prune: Cut off parts of a plant to help it grow Deadhead: Remove old flowers to encourage more Harvest: Pick or gather crops when ripe Raised bed: A garden box filled with soil above the ground Container garden: Plants grown in pots Greenhouse: A glass or plastic building that traps warmth for plants Hardiness zone: A map region showing which plants survive the winter there Frost date: The average last or first freezing day of the season Full sun: 6 or more hours of direct sunlight Partial shade: About 3 to 6 hours of sun Watering tip: Water the soil at the roots, early in the morning Drainage: How well water flows out of soil Loam: A balanced soil of sand, silt and clay good for gardens Clay soil: Heavy soil that holds water Sandy soil: Light soil that drains fast pH: A measure of how acidic or basic soil is Rake: A tool for leveling soil and collecting leaves Hoe: A tool for loosening soil and cutting weeds Trowel: A small hand shovel Spade: A tool for digging Garden fork: A tool for loosening and turning soil Pruning shears: Clippers for cutting stems Watering can: A can with a spout for watering plants Wheelbarrow: A one-wheeled cart for carrying heavy loads Garden gloves: Protect hands from dirt and thorns Three Sisters planting: Corn, beans and squash grown together, a Native American method Companion planting: Growing plants together that help each other Crop rotation: Planting different crops in a spot each year to keep soil healthy Cover crop: A plant grown to protect and feed the soil Pest: An insect or animal that harms plants Beneficial insects: Bugs like ladybugs that help the garden Organic gardening: Growing plants without synthetic chemicals Earthworm: Soil animal that loosens and enriches the earth Vegetable that grows underground: Carrot, potato, radish, beet, onion Easy plants for beginners: Radishes, lettuce, beans, sunflowers, marigolds Sunflower: A tall plant with seeds; the head turns to follow the sun when young Herb: A plant used for flavor or medicine, like basil or mint Mint: A fast-spreading herb; grow it in a pot Tomato: Fruit grown in a garden and used like a vegetable Pumpkin: A vine fruit that takes about 90 to 120 days to ripen Plant a seed twice as deep as its width: A common planting rule Perennial example: Lavender, roses, asparagus, peonies Annual example: Marigolds, tomatoes, zinnias, lettuce Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/gardening-basics