Glossary of gardening terms - F:

Fertilise
To fertilise a flower is to apply pollen from the male element to the pistil or female element in order to set seed. It can also mean to apply fertiliser to feed the whole plant.

Family
Plants that share some characteristics even though they may look quite different. Sometimes members of the same family are prone to the same diseases.

Forcing
Forcing is causing a plant to grow or bloom more rapidly or earlier than is normal. Special techniques and manipulation of the environment are involved.

Formal
A garden that has a rigid, regular and geometric structure. They often contain formal hedges, standard plants and espaliers.

Foundation plant
A plant that you plant near the walls of the house.

Friable soil
Soil that is easily crumbled and ready for planting. It is neither too wet or too dry.

Frond
Foliage of ferns, but can include any foliage that appears fernlike.