Glossary of Terms
- Annual - A plant which completes its full life cycle, from germination to flowering, seed production and death, within one growing season. Such plants can only be raised from seeds.
- AGM - The Award of Garden Merit. This is given by the Royal Horticultural Society to species and varieties that have performed outstandingly well in their trials.
- Biennial - A plant which completes its full life cycle in two years, flowering and dying in the second season.
- F1 - A hybrid produced by crossing two carefully selected parents of the same species that have been developed through a process of self-fertilisation or 'inbreeding' over a number of generations. F1 varieties are normally both more uniform and more vigorous than normal open-pollinated varieties. Due to the complex breeding involved they are also, regrettably, more expensive and seed saved from them does not come true.
- F2 - Self fertilisation of an F1 hybrid or crossing two F1 hybrids results in an F2. These retain some, though not all, of the vigour and uniformity of the F1 parent(s). They also often have other desirable features, and are generally cheaper.
- Half-hardy - Tolerating ordinary garden conditions in the warmer months of the year but not able to survive frosts.
- Hardy - Tolerating outdoor conditions at all times of the year without protection.
- NIAB - A variety recommended by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany.
- Perennial - A plant capable of living for at least three seasons. All herbaceous plants, as well as trees, shrubs and bulbs are perennials.
- Tender - Intolerant of cold conditions. This term is used for plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin that like warmth at all times and will not survive temperatures below about 50°C (41°F). As a result they are only suited to indoor cultivation except in the warmest summer weather.
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Contents
IntroductionBasic Seed Sowing
Sowing Seeds Indoors
Sowing Seeds Directly
Specific Species Advice
Hints and Tips
Possible Problems
Glossary of Terms
