Macro V. Micro - Nutrients

Macronutrients and Micronutrients are both nutrients that plants need to survive.  The difference is the quantity:

 Macro = A Lot;  Micro = A Little

Macronutrients in the garden are generally these:

• Nitrogen (N)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Potassium (K)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Sulfur (S)

Micronutrients in the garden are generally these:

• Boron (B)
• Copper (Cu)
• Chloride (Cl)
• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Molybdenum (Mo)
• Zinc (Zn)

 

 

Climate Zone (or Hardiness Zone)

Geographical areas used to determine what type of plant life will survive; generally defined by the lowest average winter temperature. 

In plain English: 

The place you live in has average high and low temperatures.  Some plants can live in extreme cold temperatures and others can live in extreme hot temperatures; along with everything in between.  A Garden Zone or Climate Zone map will help you determine what kinds of plants will live where you live.

NOTE:  The system is not perfect, there are inconsistencies based on how much snow cover you have, what your elevation is, micro-climates, etc.  It is a good rule of thumb to get you started and after you have experimented for a while you will get to know what your zone is.

There are several sites that you can type in you zip code to find out what zone you live in - be cautious, they are not all accurate.  One that I have used that seems to be close is GardenWeb - give it a try if you like.  But, the best way to find out what zone you are in is to ask a gardening neighbor - they will probably be your best source since they are already gardening where you live.

Coir

Coir is a coarse, strong fiber taken from the husk of the coconut.  It is used to make doormats, mattresses, rope and more recently mulch for the garden. 

It has some definite advantages:

1. It is a renewable resource.
2. It holds water, but also drains well.
3. It can last up to three years in the garden.

Food Miles

A term that refers to the distance food is transported from the time of its production to the time it reaches the end user.  It's all about carbon emissions - how much fuel does it take to get a banana from South America to your kitchen counter?  And, how does that impact the environment?

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Sempervivum

Houseleek, Live Forever, Hens and Chicks...

A genus of about 40 species of succulent plants that form rosettes.

See You Say Houseleek, I Say Sempervivum...

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Hemi-Parasitic

A plant that derives some of it's sustenance from other plants while still using photosynthesis to some degree.

It sends it's roots (Haustorium) into the other plant and sucks out it's life giving nutrients.

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Acclimate

To accustom or become accustomed to a new environment or situation; adapt. 

When moving plants from a cold area to a warm area - or from a warm area to a cold area; they need time to ACCLIMATE to their new surroundings.

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