Garden Glossary

Feeder Roots

Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term feeder roots. Plants have two kinds of roots: anchor roots that hold the plant to the ground, and feeder roots that get nutrients from the soil. Feeder roots usually grow in the top few inches of the soil. Feeder roots are very small and spread in the soil like a spider web around the plant. The soil under a tree is full of feeder roots for that tree. If you dig under the tree you are affecting the feeder roots.

Frost and Hard Freeze

Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening terms "Frost" and "Hard Freeze". Frost refers to the point at which the temperature is less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit and water vapor condenses and freezes on surfaces. Hard freeze, on the other hand, is when temperatures are well below 32 degrees and the freeze damages non-hardy plants.