Meaning: Seeds are the small, hard parts of a plant from which new plants grow.

Wrong options:

• pests: Pests refer to unwanted insects or animals that harm plants, which does not fit the context of selecting items for planting.
• patience: Patience is a noun that refers to the ability to wait without frustration, which does not relate to the act of planting.
• fertilisers: Fertilisers are substances added to soil to enhance plant growth, but they are not the initial items selected for planting.
• yield: Yield refers to the amount of produce harvested from plants, which is not relevant to the selection process of planting.

Correct answer: rot

Explanation: The term 'rot' is a noun that describes the decay of plant roots due to excessive moisture. It fits grammatically and contextually as it follows the phrase 'root' and explains a negative consequence of over-watering.

Meaning: Rot refers to the process of decay or decomposition, particularly in organic matter.

Wrong options:

• pests: Pests are organisms that damage plants, which does not relate to the condition of roots caused by over-watering.
• seeds: Seeds are the starting point for plants, but they do not describe a condition resulting from over-watering.
• patience: Patience is unrelated to the physical condition of roots and does not fit in this context.
• fertilisers: Fertilisers are used to promote growth, not to describe a negative condition like decay.

Correct answer: pesticides

Explanation: The word 'pesticides' is a noun that refers to substances used to kill pests. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes a method to protect the garden from harmful insects.

Meaning: Pesticides are chemicals used to eliminate pests that threaten plants.

Wrong options:

• pests: Pests are the very organisms that pesticides aim to control, making this option contextually incorrect.
• seeds: Seeds are not a method of pest control; they are the starting point for growing plants.
• patience: Patience does not relate to pest control and is not a substance used in gardening.
• fertilisers: Fertilisers enhance growth but do not deter pests, making this option irrelevant in the context of pest management.

Correct answer: yield

Explanation: The term 'yield' is a noun that refers to the amount of produce that plants produce. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the outcome of the gardening process, which is the harvest.

Meaning: Yield refers to the quantity of crops or produce that is harvested from plants.

Wrong options:

• pests: Pests do not relate to the outcome of the gardening process and are not a product of the plants.
• seeds: Seeds are the starting point for plants, not the end result or harvest.
• patience: Patience is a quality needed during the gardening process but does not describe the produce itself.
• fertilisers: Fertilisers are used to enhance growth but do not represent the final product of the gardening effort.