| Term | Definition |
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| Soil Test | A measurement of major nutrient (phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen) and pH levels in the soil.
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| Sphagnum | A bog moss which is collected and composted. Most peat moss is composed primarily of sphagnum moss. This moss is also packaged and sold in a fresh state, and used for lining hanging baskets and air layering.
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| Spore | Spores are the reproductive cell structure of ferns, fungi and mosses. Fern spores develop inside small green capsules on the underside of the fronds, called sporangia.?These types of plants do not form flowers nor produce seeds.
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| Square Foot Gardening | An intensive gardening method that uses plots measuring 4 x feet (16 SF) that is further subdivided into one-foot squares and planted with vegetables. Soaker Hose-a rubber hose perforated with numerous holes and used to irrigate gardens by allowing water to seep into the soil. T
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| Staking | The practice of driving a stake into the ground next to, and as a support for a plant. When attaching the plant to the stake, be sure that it is tied loosely so it doesn't strangle the stem. When staking a potted plant, the stake should be set into the planter before the plant is added.
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| Standard | A plant that's trained, through pruning or staking, to the form of a tree.
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| Stolon | An above ground spreading stem or runner that often produces a new plant at the tip. (example:?Strawberry plants)
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| Stratification | A process used to break the dormancy of a seed. This usually requires that the seeds be placed in a moistened rooting medium and kept in the refrigerator or freezer for a designated length of time
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| Sucker | A growth originating from the rootstock of a grafted plant, rather than the desired part of the plant. Sucker growth should be removed, so it doesn't draw energy from the plant.
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| Systemic | A chemical which is absorbed directly into a plants system to either kill feeding insects on the plant, or to kill the plant itself.
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| Tap Root | The main, thick root growing straight down from a plant.?(not all plants have tap roots)
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| Tender Plants | Plants which are unable to endure frost or freezing temperatures.
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| Tendril | The twisting, clinging, slender growth on many vines, which allows the plant to attach themselves to a support or trellis.
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| Terminal Bud | The uppermost bud on a stem.
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| Thatch | The layer of dead stems that builds up under many lawn grasses. Thatch should be removed periodically to promote better water and nutrient penetration into the soil.
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