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Here are some regularly used gardening terms and definitions, courtesy of the experts at the RHS... Annual - a plant that completes its life cycle (germination, flowering, seeding, dying) in one growing season Breaking bud - the stage of growth when a bud bursts through the protective bud scales Broadcast sowing - scattering seeds evenly over the ground rather than in furrows or drills Contact weedkiller - a weedkiller that kills by direct contact Deciduous - describes plants that shed leaves at the end of the growing season and renew them at the beginning of the next Drill - a narrow, straight furrow in the soil in which seeds are sown or seedlings planted Evergreen - describes plants that retain most of their leaves throughout the year Foliage - leaves Germination - the physical and chemical changes that take place as a seed starts to grow and develop into a plant Hardy - able to withstand year-round climatic conditions including frost, without protection Medium - a growing mixture or other material in which plants may be grown Organic matter - composts or similar materials derived from plant material Perennial - any plant living for at least three years (annual = 1 year, biennial = 2 years) Rootball - the roots and accompanying soil when a plant is removed from a container or lifted from the ground Rosette - a cluster of leaves radiating from approximately the same point, often at ground level Seedling - a young plant that has developed from a seed Systemic / translocated weedkiller - a weedkiller that is absorbed and distributed through a plant when applied to leaves Tilth - a fine crumbly surface layer of soil produced by cultivation