Gardening Glossary
Definitions for gardening terms that start with R
- relative humidity
The amount of moisture in the air at any temperature, compared to how much moisture it could hold at that temperature.
- rhizome
A fleshy underground stem of a plant that is commonly mistaken for a root. Roots and shoots grow off the rhizome.
- ring culture
A method of growing tomatoes in bottomless pots or “rings” placed over gravel pits.
- river rock
A natural stone, normally rounded, that is used as decoration in gardens.
- rock mulch
A ground covering that is made up of rocks.
- root ball
The entire root system of a plant.
- root bound
A disorder of the root system that occurs when a plants is allowed to grow too long in a pot that is too small for it. The roots wrap around in on themselves and become tangled.
- rooting hormone
A chemical, either man made or natural, that is applied to a cutting in order to encourage root growth.
- root pruning
Cutting back the root system. It is typically done to either combat a disease, such as root rot, or to stunt the plant, such as with bonsais.
- runner
A stem that grows off a plant and produces a new plant at its tip. It is a common way for ground covers to spread.
