Acid Soil : Soils with a pH below 7. Also called sour soil.

Actinomycetes : A fungus-like soil microoganism needed in the decay of organic matter like regular mushrooms.

Aeration : A manual process of punching holes in the soil to allow air and gases in to be exchanged.

Alfalfa Meal : A natural growth stimulator made from alfalfa. It is fast acting. NPK 2.5-0.2-2

Alkaline Soil : Soil with a pH above 7, also called sweet soil.

Allelopathy : The ability of a plant species to produce substances that are toxic to certain other plants. The inhibition of growth in one species of plants by chemicals produced by another species.

Amino Acids : The main components of protein. They are made up primarily from nitrogen and carbohydrates.

Annual : A plant that will live for 1 season due to either weather or natural cycle.

Anthers : The pollen-producing organs of flowers. The part of the stamen that contains pollen; usually borne on a stalk.

B.T. : Abbreviation for bacillus thuringiensis.

Bacillus Thuringiensis : A biological control that specifically target caterpillars and other problem insects.

Bat guano : Excretions from bats that is used as a fertilizer. Bat manure.

Beneficials : Organisms that provide a benefit to crop production, applied especially to natural enemies of pests and to pollinators such as bees.

Biennial : A plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle and produce seed.

Biodegradation : The breaking down of a chemical by organisms in the environment. Is the process of converting organic materials back into CO2 and H2O though miocrobial action.

Biotic Disease : Disease caused by a pathogen, such as a bacterium, fungus, mycoplasma, or virus.

Black Spot : A disease caused by a fungus which mainly affects the foliage of roses. It will be the worse in wet weather.

Blood Meal : A dry organic fertilizer made from blood. Analysis will be approximately NPK 11-0-0.

Bone Meal : Made from cooked bones ground to a meal. Steamed bone meal. Phosphorus is main nutrient-NPK 1-11-0.

Bonsai : Is the art of growing trees and plants, kept small by being grown in a pot and by the use of skilled pruning, formed to create an aesthetic shape and the illusion of age. The Chinese art of penjing is very similar to and is the precursor of the Japanese art of bonsai.

Borax : Borax containes about 11% boron. Used in fertilizer as a source of the boron, a plant food element.

Botanical : Derived from plants or plant parts.

Broadcast application : The application of a material such as fertilizer or herbicide to the entire surface of a field.