# Essential Landscape Lingo: Nurserymen If you’re undertaking a landscape project of any sort, you’re likely to encounter a lot of industry-specific terminologies. Keep this reference guide handy as you navigate through the world of outdoor improvements. For more, see our guides to Talking like a Designer, Talking like a Contractor, and Talking like a Gardener. --- ## Talking like a Nurseryman Visiting a garden center, nursery, or home repair center is less daunting when you know how to interpret all of those labels and ask for what you want. **acid soil** _-_ soil with a pH lower than 7.0 **acre** - a measure of land totaling 43,560 square feet (a square acre is 208.75 feet on each side) **alkaline soil** - soil with pH higher than 7.0 **building code** - local laws and regulations for constructed elements (e.g. fences or pools) **building permit** - project approval by local regulatory bodies for construction of certain features **clay** - a soil type with small particles and good nutrient retention **drainage** - controlling the flow of water with grading, slopes, berms, swales, pipes, or drain tiles **drip irrigation** - a slow-feeding water system for plants, shrubs, trees, perennials **easement** - land use rights given to others to access land, such as for utility access **evaporation** - water (like rainfall and irrigation) returning to air; high temperatures speed this up **frost line** - the lower depth at which the soil freezes in winter **grading** - changing the slope level of an area **irrigation** - watering by means of a piped system **microclimate** - variations of the climate within a specific area, thanks to hills, structures, or water **pH** - a measure of the amount of acidity and alkalinity contained in your soil **setback** - locally required distances between a property line and special features **subsoil** - the layer of soil beneath the topsoil or loam; usually poor quality soil or clay [Janice Nicol](https://www.yardkit.com/landscape-blog?author=5636801ee4b0df458a9c0899)