Garden Myth vs Facts | Jung Seed Gardening Blog

With so much information at our fingertips, it’s easy to find advice. However, this also makes it easy for myths to spread. A wide range of gardening myths have been around for a long time. And while these myths are common, the horticulture industry continues finding answers to these claims. Let’s dig in!

Woman putting rocks at the bottom of her pot before planting

Myth: You can add pebbles or rocks to the bottom of a container to help with drainage.

Truth: At first glance, this idea sounds good. During the last 100 years, studies have shown the extra material makes it harder for water to move through the soil. There are two reasons for this: It’s hard for water to move from a finer material (Potting mix) into a coarse material, like rocks or pebbles. The water table is raised when extra material is at the bottom of a container, causing the soil to remain wetter. A raised water table also means less gravity that can pull down the water to drain.

Pine needles as bedding next to marigold flowers

Myth: Pine Needles make the soil acidic.

Truth: Have you noticed that few plants grow under pine trees? A common belief is that falling pine needles make the soil too acidic for plants to grow, but that’s not true. The shallow roots of pine trees absorb the moisture and make it hard for plants to grow under them. Pine needles are commonly used for mulch in the southern U.S.; northern gardeners can also use them. If you have pine trees at your home, consider using them in garden beds to reduce weeds and keep moisture in the soil.

Myth: Sunlight burns wet leaves, so don’t water plants in hot weather.

Truth: If this myth were true, our plants would burn after a thunderstorm when the sun comes out. Leaf scorch is a problem in some gardens, but it’s rarely by sunlight. A common reason leaves are scorched is poor root health, which can have many causes. Morning is the best time to water, but you won’t burn the plants by watering in the afternoon. Try to avoid watering in the evening to reduce disease problems.

Myth: All insects are harmful.

Truth: Over 97% of insects are beneficial for the garden. That seems hard to believe when aphids eat my tomato plants, but many studies have been done on this subject. Those beneficial insects lead the fight against aphids and other pests. That’s why insecticides should only be used when necessary. A garden full of insects is often healthy, even when our favorite plants are nibbled on.

Black walnut tree in the autumn with yellow leaves

Myth: Plants can’t grow under black walnut trees.

Truth: These trees contain a chemical (Juglone) that is toxic to some plants. However, not all plants are affected by juglone. Whether you’re growing veggies, shrubs, or perennials, you can find lists of plants that tolerate juglone from your local extension office. Before planting near a black walnut, make sure your plants can tolerate the juglone, as the effects can impact plants up to 100 feet from the tree. Raised beds can help, but you’ll want a barrier at the bottom to prevent tree roots from entering the raised bed. One last tip is to keep debris, like leaves and sticks, out of the raised beds.

Myth: You should stop watering plants to help them go dormant in the fall.

Truth: Some gardeners are told to stop watering plants in the fall to help them go dormant. The opposite is true. For new plantings of trees and shrubs, it’s good to continue watering until the ground freezes. This leads to better cold hardiness and less stress for the plant. In winter, the roots of woody plants continue slowly growing, so they need moisture to grow develop roots and store energy for the future.

Myth: Trees need to be staked for several years after planting.

Truth: It’s okay to stake a tree after planting, but the stake should be removed after a year. When a tree is staked for too long, it puts more effort into growing tall instead of having a wide, sturdy trunk. When the trunk is exposed to wind, it becomes stronger and can withstand movement. If the stake is used for too long, the trunk remains weaker and is more likely to break during a storm.

Myth: You should amend clay soil by adding sand.

Truth: This relates to another myth that clay soil is always bad. An ideal soil contains some clay because it helps retain moisture and nutrients. If you need to amend your clay soil, mix in organic matter, like compost. This can improve drainage if needed. Adding sand to clay will cause the soil structure to become like concrete, making drainage even worse. If sand is your only option, you’ll want a 1:1 ratio of sand and clay, which requires a lot of sand. Many plants will grow well in clay unless the drainage is extremely poor.

Woman is transplanting plant into new pot at home.

Myth: Roots should not be disturbed at planting.

Truth: You’ve probably heard that pruning promotes growth, which is true. The same is true for roots. It’s good to break up the roots a bit when adding new plants to stimulate root growth. In nursery containers, it’s common for the roots to begin circling the pot. As you put those plants in the garden, take your fingers or a soil knife and tease the roots so they face outward. Doing so helps the roots grow into the native soil of your landscape.

Myth: Peonies need ants to bloom.

Truth: If you’ve grown peonies, you may have noticed ants on the blooms before the flowers open. An old myth says that peonies need ants to bloom, which isn’t true. The buds of peonies release nectar and other chemicals that act as a food source for ants. When the ants visit the buds for food, they help protect the peony blooms from other insects. While peonies and ants benefit each other, they both can survive on their own. These are just a few myths you might hear about in gardening. If you have any questions, please contact Jung Seed or your local extension office.

Garden Myths vs. Facts

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