Ivydene Gardens Glossary: H

Half hardy Used of a plant not tolerating frost in a given climatic zone. The term generally implies an ability to withstand lower temperatures than tender.

Half standard A tree or shrub that has a clear stem of 1 to 1.5m (3-5ft) between ground level and the lowest branches.

Hardening off Gradually acclimatising plants that have been raised under cover to cooler, outdoor conditions.

Hardy Able to withstand year-round climatic conditions, including frost without protection.

Haulm The top-growth of plants such as potatoes and legumes,

Head 1) The part of a tree above a clear trunk. 2) A dense inflorescence.

Head back To prune back the main branches of trees or shrubs by half or more.

Heart up The stage at which vegetables such as lettuces or cabbages begin to produce tight “hearts” or “heads” of inner leaves.

Heavy (of soil) Having a high proportion of clay.

Heel A small piece or strip of bark or wood that is retained at the base of a cutting when it is pulled away from a main stem.

Heeling in Temporary planting until a plant can be placed in its permanent position.

Herb 1) A plant grown for its medicinal or flavouring properties or for its scented foliage. 2) Botanically, a herbaceous plant.

Herbaceous A non-woody plant in which the upper parts die down to a rootstock at the end of the growing season. It is chiefly applied to perennials, although botanically it also applies to annuals and biennials.

Herbicide A chemical used to control or kill weeds.

Hull (of nuts) To remove the outer casings.

Humus The chemically complex organic residue of decayed vegetable matter in soil. Also often used to describe partly decayed matter such as leaf mould or compost.

Hybrid The offspring of different parents usually of distinct taxa. Hybrids between species of the same genus are known as interspecific hybrids. Those between different but usually closely related genera are known as intergeneric hybrids.

Hybrid vigour An improvement in growth and yield shown by hybrids.

Hybridisation The process by which hybrids are formed.

Hydroculture The cultivation of plants in nutrient-rich water sometimes with sterile aggregates.

Hydroponics Growing plants in dilute solutions of nutrients. Applied loosely to any form of soil-less culture.

Hypocotyl The portion of a seed or seedling just below the cotyledons.

Hypogeal Type of seed germination in which the seed and cotyledons remain below the soil surface while the young shoot (plumule) emerges above soil level.

Humour.

West Jet is an Airline with head office situated in Calgary, Alberta. West Jet airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:

"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."

A flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

After a real crusher of a landing in Halifax , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."

Humour.

Distraught farmer finds all his cows frozen in snow. He prays to God for help.
A woman appears and puts her arms round his icey cows. They immediately defrost.
"Thank you" said the grateful farmer, "are you an angel sent by God?"
"No" says the woman ..." I'm Thora Herd".