Essential Landscape Lingo: Nurserymen

If you’re undertaking a landscape project of any sort, you’re likely to encounter a lot of industry-specific terminologies. Keep this reference guide handy as you navigate through the world of outdoor improvements.

For more, see our guides to Talking like a Designer, Talking like a Contractor, and Talking like a Gardener.

 
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Talking like a Nurseryman

Visiting a garden center, nursery, or home repair center is less daunting when you know how to interpret all of those labels and ask for what you want.

acid soil - soil with a pH lower than 7.0 

acre - a measure of land totaling 43,560 square feet (a square acre is 208.75 feet on each side) 

alkaline soil - soil with pH higher than 7.0 

building code - local laws and regulations for constructed elements (e.g. fences or pools) 

building permit - project approval by local regulatory bodies for construction of certain features 

clay - a soil type with small particles and good nutrient retention 

drainage - controlling the flow of water with grading, slopes, berms, swales, pipes, or drain tiles 

drip irrigation - a slow-feeding water system for plants, shrubs, trees, perennials 

easement - land use rights given to others to access land, such as for utility access 

evaporation - water (like rainfall and irrigation) returning to air; high temperatures speed this up 

frost line - the lower depth at which the soil freezes in winter 

grading - changing the slope level of an area 

irrigation - watering by means of a piped system 

microclimate - variations of the climate within a specific area, thanks to hills, structures, or water 

pH - a measure of the amount of acidity and alkalinity contained in your soil 

setback - locally required distances between a property line and special features 

subsoil - the layer of soil beneath the topsoil or loam; usually poor quality soil or clay

 
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Essential Landscape Lingo: Contractors

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Essential Landscape Lingo: Designers