How to - Gardening Basics
Anatomy of a plant label
Learn to read the essentials before purchasing and planting
Identifies the botanical genus and species names, plus the more common moniker.
Notes the ideal amount of sunlight for your plant. Full sun refers to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day; part shade to a range of 4 to 8 hours.
Offers planting guidelines for how far apart your seedlings should be from each other.
Describes the size of the plant when mature.
Lets you know how much (and possibly when) to water.
Indicates how often to fertilize. Take care with this information, as it precludes an organic approach to healthy, productive soil. You might
also see this information on a container arrangement.
Gives an idea of peak time for plants. Usually shown as “early,” “mid” or “late” season.
Days to yield
Refers mainly to edibles, and lists the number of days from when you sow your seed to the date veggies can be harvested.
Shows what climate is ideal for the plant.
Bottom of the tag
Details extra information on the attributes of the plant.
'Grown in Canada'
Buy local to help support Canadian businesses.
Illustration by Cybèle Young.
- Page 1: Plant label basics