The gardening season often brings a flurry of advice, some of which might not be helpful. Many sources provide what seems like useful tips, but these notions sometimes belong more in the compost. Here, we’ll examine certain garden myths that can lead to ineffective practices or wasted resources.
Vinegar as a ‘Safe and Natural’ Weedkiller
Common household vinegar can act as a contact herbicide that only burns leaves and usually doesn’t reach the roots, allowing weeds to regrow. Horticultural vinegar, with higher acetic acid concentration, offers more potency but may harm the soil and nearby plants. It requires careful handling to prevent injury to the skin and eyes.
Instead: Manually remove weeds and apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch over your garden beds. This discourages new weeds and allows easy removal of any that manage to sprout. For weeds in paver cracks, use baking soda on a dry day. Alternatively, a crevice weeding tool or propane flame tool can be effective. Afterward, fill gaps with sand or sealant to prevent future growth.
Applying Wound Paint to Pruned Trees
Trees naturally compartmentalize wounds. Sealants may trap moisture and pathogens, promoting decay instead of aiding healing. Apply light sealants only to elm or oak trees pruned during growing seasons to mitigate Dutch elm disease and oak wilt. This is unnecessary when pruning during dormant seasons.
Instead: Practice proper pruning techniques, timing cuts correctly, and letting the wounds naturally heal.
Tilling Garden Beds Annually
Tilling might create a tidy look but it harms essential microbes and disrupts soil structure. It can also increase erosion and bring dormant weed seeds to the surface, fostering their growth. Furthermore, it damages the soil’s capacity to retain moisture.
Instead: Spread a 2-3 inch compost layer across the beds and allow it to integrate over time. New beds can be developed by layering newspaper or cardboard topped with mulch or compost over the fall season, allowing them to break down grass and weeds. Use a garden fork or broadfork to gently disturb the soil if necessary.
Watering Plants Lightly Every Day
Daily sprinkling only moistens the surface, keeping roots shallow. This practice hinders plant growth, limiting their ability to reach deeper soil moisture.
Instead: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage roots to grow deeper and broader. Healthy root systems help plants withstand drought conditions.
Using Landscape Fabric Under Garden Beds
Barrier fabrics fail to block weeds over time, create tangled root issues, and restrict water and air flow. As these fabrics degrade, they introduce microplastics into the soil.
Instead: Apply a layer of organic mulch such as shredded bark or straw, maintaining space around plant trunks and stems. This mulch nourishes soil and supports plant life. Landscape fabric may have a place beneath gravel paths or walkways to separate hardscape elements from the soil.
Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.
For additional gardening insights, consider signing up for her newsletter or checking out AP gardening stories.
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