David Domoney’s Gardening Glossary

These are plants that derive some or all of their nutrients from other living plants. Many parasitic plants have unique roots, which will penetrate host plants, and which give them the ability to extract water and nutrients.

A patio is an outdoor space that is adjacent to a house, usually in a back garden. It is often used for recreational activities or dining and is associated with patio paving slabs.

Peat is a condensed mixture of partially decayed vegetation, such as moss, which has developed over thousands of years. It is popular with gardeners because it is high in nutrients and can hold water effectively. However, the extraction of peat has many negative environmental impacts.

A perennial plant is any plant that lives for over two years. Perennial plants range from tender plants that will live for a few years, to large trees that can survive centuries.

The technique by which agricultural ecosystems are sustainable and self-sufficient.

Perpetual is a plant that will continue to flower or provide foliage through the growing season.

A pest is a destructive insect or animal that attacks crops and flowers.

An artificial chemical used to kill insect pests.

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of substances such as soil and water. A soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, while a soil with a pH below 7 is acid, and above 7 is alkaline. The majority of plants prefer soil that is neutral (or close to neutral) but some groups of plants are known to prefer specifically acid or alkaline soil. Ericaceous plants, for example, need soil with a pH of below 6, and cannot tolerate the lime found in alkaline soils. On the other hand, brassicas are considered to be lime-loving and are well suited to alkaline soil. You can easily test the pH of your soil using a DIY testing kit found online or in garden centres.

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants which absorb light energy and use it to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. These are then used to fuel the plant growth and other activities.

Pinching plants is a form of pruning that encourages fresh branching on a plant. It works by removing the main stem, which forces the plant to grow two new ones.

Planters are containers that plants can be inserted into and grown as if in the ground.

Plug plants are seedlings which have germinated and are grown in trays of small cells, making them easy to push out to be inserted or plugged into there new growing location.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a plant, to the female part of the plant which results in the creation of seeds.

Pot on or potting-on is the transfer of plants from one location or pot to another pot for more root space.

This is a young but well-established plant that is ready to be transferred to a pot, container or hanging basket.

This is the process of transferring a seedling or plant to a container or pot.

A preform is usually a shaped plastic, watertight structure and can be inserted into a hole and filled with water to create a pond.

Pricking out is the process of moving germinated seedlings into a new larger tray. It is done after the first leaves appear and enables stronger root establishment.

Primocane varieties are fruit brambles which produce fruit in the first year, unlike floricane varieties, which produce fruit in the second year.

This is a word used to describe the various methods of growing plants organically using parts from a previous plant, eg growing from seed or cuttings.

Pruning is a common gardening process that consists of cutting away sections of a plant in order to promote further growth or achieve a desired look or size. You might also prune a plant or tree in order to remove dead or overgrown branches and stems.