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The heating of soil or propagation medium for the propagation/germination of plants. It can take the form of undersoil electric cabling, a temperature-controlled mat or other bottom heating unit.

Refers to roots that shrink vertically, drawing the plant down into the soil, especially in time of drought. They help position the plant at an appropriate level in the ground.

1) A narrow furrow in the soil for sowing seed. 2) A row of small plants resulting from sowing seeds in a furrow.

Also referred to as ridging, to earth up is to cover roots with a thick layer of soil. It's particularly associated with potatoes, to prevent greening of the tubers.

Winter prune apple treesPrune away stems of autumn-fruiting raspberries at soil levelPrepare sites to plant new fruit trees and bushes, by improving soil with lots of organic matterHoe bare areas to remove weed seedlingsUse straw to prevent soil

Refers to non-animal, non-vegetable substances that do not contain carbon. Often applied to chemical products used to improve the soil.

A naturally-occurring element (atomic number 26, symbol Fe) found in the soil and is essential to plant growth. Iron deficiency leads to chlorosis.

Chemical compound calcium carbonate (symbol CaCO3). The amount of lime in the soil determines whether it's alkaline, neutral or acid.

Any bulky material supplying nutrients to the soil. May be derived from animals in the form of dung and farmyard waste, or from plants (see Green manures).

The bacteria on the roots of leguminous vegetables, or the micro-organisms found in soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds that can be used by plants.