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The sap balance principle is a term from horticulture, more specifically from pruning.

The Scoville scale is a unit of measurement used to determine the heat of chilli peppers and other pepper varieties. It indicates how concentrated the active compound capsaicin is in a fruit – the substance that causes the burning sensation in the mouth when eaten. The higher the Scoville value, the hotter the fruit.

Secateurs are also known as one-hand pruners. As the name suggests, this type of secateurs is compact enough to be used with just one hand.

Seed compost – or seed-sowing compost – is a special low-nutrient growing medium for sowing seeds and growing seedlings and cuttings. It provides fine, loose structures that promote germination and root growth without stressing the sensitive young plants.

Seed dormancy refers to a natural resting state in seeds in which, despite being viable, they do not germinate straight away. This mechanism prevents a seedling from growing at an unfavourable moment, for example during a dry spell, before the onset of winter, or under other unsuitable environmental conditions.

Seed leaves (cotyledons) are the first leaves a plant develops after germination. They are already present within the seed kernel, as part of the plant embryo. After emerging they supply the seedling with energy, either from their store of nutrients or via photosynthesis as soon as they reach the light.

The location note “shady” means that a plant can manage with very little or no direct sunlight. Such positions usually receive less than three hours of direct sun a day or lie permanently in the shade of buildings, walls or larger trees and shrubs.

Short-day plants are species that only initiate flowering once the nights exceed a certain minimum length. What matters, then, is not day length alone, but above all the length of the uninterrupted period of darkness.

Signature plants are plants whose outward features, according to the old doctrine of signatures, were thought to reveal their healing properties or symbolic meaning. Shape, colour, scent, taste, growth habit or position (full sun / partial shade) were read as signs by which nature pointed to a plant's power.

Slugs - a perennial problem! Some gardeners go after the pests with scissors, others try to collect the eggs laid in autumn before the young slugs can hatch in spring.

A mini greenhouse is a small hothouse for the garden. Depending on its features, hobby gardeners can grow all kinds of plants, cultivate vegetables and herbs, or overwinter plants all year round.

Spider mites (Tetranychidae) are among the garden pests. Two species in particular cause most of the damage:

Square foot gardening is a system that originated in the USA, allowing you to grow enough vegetables to feed a family even in a small growing area.

What starting seeds indoors involvesStarting plants indoors means sowing your seeds initially in pots or seed trays then transplanting them outdoors later. Growing the seeds in a protected environment – such as a windowsill or greenhouse – gives them a head start, so they can be moved to their outdoor location at an earlier stage.

Succession sowing means vegetables, salads or herbs are not sown all at once, but in several small batches at staggered intervals. This extends the harvest period, so the plants don't all become ready to harvest at the same time.

Succulents are plants that can store water in specialised tissues, such as their leaves, stems or roots. This ability allows them to survive extended dry periods. Typical habitats include deserts, semi-deserts, steppes and other regions with irregular water supply.

The location note “sunny” or “sun” means that a plant needs at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to grow healthily and develop well. Many plants for sunny positions even tolerate sun all day without any notable shade.

Symbolic herbs, also known as charm herbs, are plants from old folk belief that were used against so-called "invoked" ailments. These were complaints not explained naturally, but attributed to bewitchment, curses or evil words.