1. CFL

Compact Flourescent Light, an acronym that describes the technology of energy-saving lightbulbs. Often used as a shorthand for bulbs of that type.

2. Chit

Chitting is what you do to seed potatoes before planting them in the ground. Because each one is effectively just a very pure edible potato when you buy it, you must force it to start sprouting. This is done by placing them in a seed tray, egg carton or any other kind of support, and leaving them in a light, cool place (around 10 degrees centigrade is ideal) for six weeks. At the end of the six weeks they will be well sprouted and ready to plant, with the shoots pointing upwards. Do not eat potatoes that have been chitted, as exposure to the light will have turned them poisonous.

3. Cloche

A device used to cover seedlings when planted into the ground, to protect them from the cold and frost. Often made of glass, they let in sunlight and keep the earth beneath them considerably warmer than that in the rest of your plot.

4. Fermenter

Large, airtight container used for home brewing. Often made of plastic so that you can see through the sides. This must be kept scrupulously clean to avoid contaminating the brew.

5. Hydrometer

Glass measuring device that floats in wine and beer to measure the alcohol content and tell you whether it is ready for bottling. It does this using a scale up the side, against which you compare the liquid level, determined by the depth to which a weight in the end of the device falls. The measurement it gives you is relative to the gravity level of water at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Muslin

Finely woven cotton cloth used to strain things like jelly for jam, or liquids with impurities, such as sloe gin, which you want to make clear before transferring to bottles and jars.

7. Onion sets

Small, semi mature onion bulbs that can be planted to grow new crops of onions. Planting times are similar to those for onion seeds.

8. Sediment trap

Essential part of a syphoning tube used to extract beer and wine from a fermenter and feed it into bottles. The trap is a small white cap that is fixed to the end of the syphon and forces the liquid to first travel down before being sucked up into the tube carrying it to the bottles.

9. Seed potatoes

Potato tubers grown at high altitudes, above the height at which common potato viruses can survive, thus making them suitable for planting as the seed of new crops. They are usually sold by garden centres and DIY stores in nets in late winter and early spring. You must chit them before use.

10. Syphoning tube

Length of flexible tube used to transport beer, wine or other liquid from a fermenter to the bottles in which it will eventually be stored and served. It is usually used in conjunction with a sediment trap, and works on the principle of gravity forcing liquid from one level to a lower level.