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Green Thumb Glossary

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AccentAccent<div class="ExternalClassD352DF586F1846188D26ADD577BB37C7"><p>​A plant that adds a special interest to an area because of its color, shape, or size.</p></div>1
AeratedAerated<div class="ExternalClass477560A1458E49E6A032B77E0C32A425"><p>​​Soil or compost that has been loosened to allow air to circulate</p></div>62
AnnualAnnual<div class="ExternalClass14C7C84B1A6F4860A9640361EE61E1C5"><p>​A plant that completes its entire life cycle (from germination to the production of seed and demise) within one year.</p></div>2
BiennialBiennial<div class="ExternalClass725E31231166481CA721897497838FF4"><p>​A flowering plant that takes at least two years to complete its entire lifecycle (from germination to the production of seed and demise).</p></div>3
BiodiversityBiodiversity<div class="ExternalClass5910686C248044639B061A8BCB5C7907"><p>The variety and variability of life on Earth, measured through the variation at the genetic, the species, and ecosystem level.</p></div>4
CO<sub>2</sub> emissionCO<sub>2</sub> emission<div class="ExternalClass6A584A897AD34700AB6E0B0EDB181ACE"><p>​The release of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) into the air that holds and traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.</p></div>5
ChartreuseChartreuse<div class="ExternalClass458A184075414744988067C4A563BFDF"><p>A color between yellow and green.​​</p></div>71
ColonialColonial<div class="ExternalClassDF4CBB6A689B4130AFB7C9DEA076C873"><p>Plants that naturally form large groups, growing together in close association. </p></div>6
Compaction densityCompaction density<div class="ExternalClass2632FD6F8424492E834351695C5BE301"><p>The measurement of a soil’s bulk density provides a relative value of soil compaction. Bulk density is expressed as weight per volume of soil (usually in terms of grams per cubic centimeter).​​</p></div>76
CompostCompost<div class="ExternalClass670DCC5B6B3547FA85AB213466ACD3B5"><p>Decomposed, recycled organic matter that is used to improve soil. </p></div>7
CorridorCorridor<div class="ExternalClass67F4983CD9B64951B5FC64E553AC7A00"><p>Areas of habitat connecting wildlife populations that would be otherwise separated by human activities or structures (such as roads, development, or logging).</p></div>55
Cover cropCover crop<div class="ExternalClassB89A955ACC4C429F9D4E9300230733AD"><p>Also called ‘green manure’. Plants that can be used to protect the soil from erosion and nutrient loss. They are also helpful in building soil structure, adding organic matter, and suppressing weed growth. Examples include buckwheat, crimson clover and winter rye.</p></div>8
De-thatchingDe-thatching<div class="ExternalClass20A5B6ABEB8449B98298F31312A3BCA2"><p>The act of removing the dead layer of turf grass.</p></div>10
DeciduousDeciduous<div class="ExternalClassCEC8DA0364A644C1B9982CB92DE89B05"><p>​In the Metro Vancouver region, trees that drop all of their leaves in winter.</p></div>9
DormantDormant<div class="ExternalClassD05B8AF0CF2F41CF8CC854460AE39DA8"><p> Refers to a state​​​ when plants are alive but not actively growing. This survival strategy allows plants to live in climates where part of the year is unsuitable for growth, such as winter or dry seasons.</p></div>11
DownspoutDownspout<div class="ExternalClass3065F2C602184E88B796C5151DA9DFEE"><p>A vertical pipe used to drain rainwater from the roof of a building. <br></p></div>46
Drip irrigation systemDrip irrigation system<div class="ExternalClassF34BF84EE86443D087690E7CD485443C"><p>An efficient method of irrigating plants where water is applied slowly and directly to the plant's root system (aim for right place, right time, and right amount).</p></div>12
Drought tolerantDrought tolerant<div class="ExternalClassA35D5ABAD2AA43058C8B0E5630D52F51"><p>Plants that can live without normal amounts of moisture for extended periods of time.</p></div>13
EcosystemEcosystem<div class="ExternalClassDA96753CED644D799596C8733A20FB01"><p>A community of living organisms and nonliving components (such as air, water, and mineral soil), interacting as a system.</p></div>14
Electrical conductivityElectrical conductivity<div class="ExternalClassCE013C4427D544EB918F8B155B974B2C"><p>Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount of salts in soil (salinity of soil). It is an important indicator of soil health.​​</p></div>75
EvaporationEvaporation<div class="ExternalClassC6E30D97F4AC4F1EA3DCA9ED5B537B15"><p>The process of liquid turning into vapor/gas.<br></p></div>15
EvergreenEvergreen<div class="ExternalClassDDB0BB293EEB45A6A06217E25D5672D5"><p>Trees that bear leaves throughout the year. Evergreens include most cone-bearing trees and some broad-leaved trees.<br></p></div>16
FertilizerFertilizer<div class="ExternalClass8C2FAB31998E403CB116FBD37542059E"><p>A material (natural or synthetic) that is applied to soils or plants to supply plant nutrients essential to plant growth and development.</p></div>17
FoliageFoliage<div class="ExternalClass06BFB059E54E40678C2AD62133B010AD"><p>The leafy parts of a plant.</p></div>18
Fungal myceliumFungal mycelium<div class="ExternalClass64635EB87C164686836525211C3E51FA"><p>​​Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus (or fungus-like bacteria) colony. Mycelium is often found on or in soil.</p></div>65
Girdling rootsGirdling roots<div class="ExternalClass347AC315B0334C69958A44DD898D0EF2"><p>Side roots at or a little below the soil surface that cut into the main trunk of the tree. These roots restrict the movement of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and branches.​​</p></div>82
Grey waterGrey water<div class="ExternalClass9ADD6E3D910B47DC9486F97DCEE683C8"><p>Wastewater that is generated in households or office buildings from bathroom sinks, showers, washing machines etc.</p></div>19
Ground coverGround cover<div class="ExternalClass1BC6686ECDEB43ECA9DFEA2DD8AB51FB"><p>A low lying plant or group of plants that grows over an area of ground.<br></p></div>20
Growing mediumGrowing medium<div class="ExternalClass828FC098D2FF4EF6AF81B178291183D2"><p>The material that your plants grow in that supplies roots with nutrients, air and water, allows for root growth, and physically supports the plant. <br></p></div>21
HabitatHabitat<div class="ExternalClassDEC8B05EF469414899334BE686E12D7E"><p>The place where plants and animals tend to grow, live, and reproduce. <br></p></div>22
HardinessHardiness<div class="ExternalClass2776E4F385AA49CF8E7144ABAC013D06"><p>Usually describes tolerance to cold temperatures (i.e., cold hardiness), but the term is also used to describe resilience with respect to harsh or extreme conditions in general.</p></div>23
HerbaceousHerbaceous<div class="ExternalClass283B2A48D0044F65B970FB92E62A9F84"><p>Plants in which the stems do not become woody.</p></div>24
Hori hori knifeHori hori knife<div class="ExternalClass0417EFF7ED544A9FBA08BA028BA7EE20"><p>​​Sometimes referred to as a "soil knife" or a "weeding knife", a Hori hori knife is a heavy serrated multi-purpose steel blade for gardening jobs such as digging or cutting.</p></div>73
HumusHumus<div class="ExternalClass0B86D9FA470D456F8B4DAE65D70FF6BD"><p>​​A brown or black material created from the partial decomposition of plant or animal matter. Humus forms the organic portion of soil.</p></div>66
Invasive speciesInvasive species<div class="ExternalClassD70701DD626B463D86D008B5E408372B"><div><span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>Introduced non-native plants and animals which have been introduced to an area without the predators and pathogens t​hat would help keep them in check in their native habitats.​ </div></div>25
IrrigationIrrigation<div class="ExternalClass8BB2A559A2154ECEAD64C85148E4E45B"><p>The supply of water to land by artificial means to assist in the production of crops, gardens, or landscapes.<br></p></div>26
Lean soilLean soil<div class="ExternalClassAC254A8C2C994C38A58DD4E68DA18336"><p>​​Soil that contains low levels of nutrients and/or organic material.</p></div>63
LeggyLeggy<div class="ExternalClassCC58893492594F08A2A87DB7D6BC3CB9"><p>​​Legginess in plants is often the result of perfect growing conditions which allows them to add on too much greenery before the plant has adequate dimension and strength in stems and roots.</p></div>68
LimeLime<div class="ExternalClass851CE68C14884B618D31ED1BE9BC237D"><p>To lime is when calcium-magnesium carbonate (dolomite) is added to the soil to reduce acidity.</p></div>27
LuxLux<div class="ExternalClass1EC4588BE84146B39C554538E271EA7A"><p>​​​The SI (International System of Units) derived unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is equal to one lumen per square metre.</p></div>70
Mass plantingMass planting<div class="ExternalClassF4D6514014F745649733C852DBBCBA2D"><p>A large number of the same plant grown in a large grouping.<br></p></div>28
Micro-nutrientsMicro-nutrients<div class="ExternalClassFC9E8CEE616F4DB6967E7DAC2A7F96BC"><p>Nutrients essential to plant growth and health that are only needed in very small quantities. They include Boron, Chlorine, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, and Zinc.​​​</p></div>77
Microbial competition and predationMicrobial competition and predation<div class="ExternalClass7B81FE064DBF4D8C96ABEC2BD635C3DD"><p>Microbes (microscopic organisms) are typically surrounded by different strains and species with whom they compete for scarce nutrients and limited space. Given such challenging living conditions, microbes have evolved to outcompete and displace their neighbours.​​​</p></div>79
MicrofloraMicroflora<div class="ExternalClass9E006868B2414FB79104C938E26D8030"><p>​​Bacteria and microscopic algae and fungi, especially those living in a particular site or habitat.</p></div>78
Microscopic faunaMicroscopic fauna<div class="ExternalClass616DA59686AA4F1CA7B2416EF09B8909"><p>Very small animals that are visible only with a microscope.<br></p></div>29
MulchMulch<div class="ExternalClassD0B5837A0883439AAD11F55804362F61"><p>A material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) that is applied around or over the roots of a plant to enrich or insulate the soil.</p></div>30
NativeNative<div class="ExternalClass727DA5B2A60246BDB974B9AD6EA59260"><p>A plant that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat, usually defined as having occurred prior to European contact. Plants noted as native on Grow Green are native to the Metro Vancouver area.</p></div>31
NaturalizeNaturalize<div class="ExternalClass8E3294D62A6D49D6A87DA8C7A876268C"><p>Plants that are able to grow on their own and produce a new generation without human assistance (such as watering, fertilizing, dividing, and pest control).</p></div>32
NitrogenNitrogen<div class="ExternalClassA3864256DF5E4FAAB449D77A4DA03FFB"><p>An essential nutrient for plant growth and development. Together with potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), the three elements (N, P, and K) are known as macronutrients because they are required by plants in the greatest amounts.</p>​<br></div>33
Non-invasiveNon-invasive<div class="ExternalClassBF4AA1D57A9B4B3EA45D2432A64BD854"><p>Native or non-native plants and animals that will not cause negative impacts on our economy, environment, or health.</p></div>34

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