Horticultural Myths

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Archives
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2009 I 2008 I2007 I 2006 I 2005 I 2004 I 2003 I 2002 I 2001 I 2000

2009

Myth: Baking soda - will fungi fail and roses rejoice? (Literature)

Myth: Coffee grounds: will they perk up plants?- Winter (Literature)

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2008

Myth: Horticultural oils - Fall (Literature)

Myth: Dust mulches - Summer (Literature)

Myth: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - marvel or mistake? - Spring (Literature)

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2007

Myth: Super-absorbent water crystals - are they really so "super?" - Fall (Literature)

Myth: Arborist wood chip mulches: landscape boon or bane? - Summer (Literature)

Myth: Adding Epsom salts to gardens is a safe, natural way to increase plant growth - Spring (Literature)

Myth: Compost tea: examining the science behind the claims - Winter (Literature)

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2006

Myth: Peat Moss Is an Environmentally Friendly Organic Amendment Essential for Many Horticultural Purposes - July

Myth: Milk Sprayed onto Rose Leaves Will Prevent Fungal and Bacterial Diseases - June

Myth: Vibration from Traffic Causes Soil Compaction of Adjacent Landscapes - April

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2005

Myth: Seaweed Extracts Reduce Disease, Improve Production, and Increase Stress Resistance in Landscape Plants - November

Myth: Aerobically-Brewed Compost Tea Suppresses Disease - October (also please see the EPA statement about pesticidal use of compost tea)

Myth: Recycled Rubber Mulch Is an Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic Choice for Landscapes - September

Myth: Unless It Causes Visible Damage, Touching or Brushing Has Little Effect on Plants - August

Myth: Certain Species Will Thrive, Lean On, Nestle With, and Support Each Other in Groupings - July

Myth: The Chemicals in Pressure-Treated Lumber Will Not Affect Adjacent Soils or Plants - June

Myth: Applying Horticultural Practices from Past Eras is a Sound Approach to Landscape Management - May

Myth: Harpin Success in the Lab Guarantees Success in the Field - April

Myth: Fertilizers Sprayed on the Leaves of Trees and Shrubs Are More Effective Than Soil Applications - March

Myth: Landscape Trees Need To Be Headed Back in the Nursery to Develop Proper Branching - February

Myth: Bleach Is the Best Choice for Disinfecting Pruning Wounds and Tools - January

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2004

Myth: Amending Your Soil with Organic Matter Will Improve Water Quality in Streams - December

Myth: Nursery Tags Are an Accurate Indicator of Final Plant Size - November

Myth: Adding Potassium or Magnesium to your Landscape Plants Will Increase Their Cold Hardiness - October

Myth: Biodynamics Is a Scientifically Sound Approach to Sustainable Management of Plant Systems - September

Myth: Nursery Brochures Are Always the Best Sources of Appropriate Planting Practices - August

Myth: Balled and Burlapped Root Balls Must Be Left Intact During Transplanting - July

Myth: Corn Gluten Meal Is an Effective Organic Herbicide - June

Myth: Add a Handful of Bone Meal to Planting Holes Before Installing Shrubs and Trees - May

Myth: Vitamin B-1 Reduces Transplant Shock by Stimulating New Root Growth - April

Myth: Are Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Environmentally Safe Substances That Reduce Irrigation Needs? - March

Myth: Unless You're a Pointsettia, Increased Light Can't Hurt - February

Myth: Adding Gypsum to your Yard or Garden Will Improve Soil Tilth and Plant Health - January

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2003

Myth: Fertilizer Injection Is the Most Effective Way to Correct Tree Nutrient Deficiencies - December

Myth: If It's Published, It Must Be True - November

Myth: Low-oxygen Root Zones Can Be Aerated by Installing Vertical Aeration Tubes - October

Myth: Tree Topping Is Like a Haircut - Sometimes It's Necessary, and a Tree Can Always Grow Out of a Bad One - September

Myth: Aerobically-brewed Compost Tea Suppresses Disease - August

Myth: Use of Drought-tolerant Plants Reduces Residential Water Consumption - July

Myth: Woodchips Made From Cedars Will Kill Landscape Plants - June

Myth: Uncomposted Yard Waste Mulch Is Harmful to Plant Life and Negatively Impacts Water Quality - May

Myth: Leaf Wilt Is the Best Indicator of Insufficient Soil Moisture - April

Myth: Healthy Soil Has High Organic Content - March

Myth: Decrease Fall Irrigation to Force Landscape Plants into Winter Dormancy - February

Myth: You Shouldn't Disturb the Rootball When Planting Trees and Shrubs - January

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2002

Myth: Uncomposted Wood Chips Can Spread Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria to Healthy Roots - December

Myth: Glyphosate Will Move Through Root Grafts and Kill Non-target Plants - November

Myth: Botanically Derived Pesticides Are Safer Than Synthetics - October

Myth: Antitranspirants Prevent Drought Stress, Especially in Newly Installed Trees and Shrubs - September

Myth: Watering Plants on a Hot Sunny Day will Scorch Their Leaves - August

Myth: Bark Mulch and Sawdust Are Aesthetically Preferable to Wood Chips and They Work Just As Well - July

Myth: Newspaper and Cardboard Sheet Mulches Are an Excellent Ways To Reduce Weeds and Retain Soil Health in Permanent Landscapes - June

Myth: Garden Plants Do Not Become Invasive - May

Myth: If Plants Develop Red Leaves, It Means They Are Phosphorus Deficient - April

Myth: Roses Need Phosphate Fertilizer for Root and Flower Growth - March

Myth: Compost Is a Safe, Chemical-free Source of Nutrients for Gardens - February

Myth: Landscape Fabric Provides Permanent Weed Control for Ornamental Landscapes - January

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2001

Myth: Wire Baskets Will Not Interfere With Root Growth of Transplanted Trees - December

Myth: Organic Products Are Safer Than Chemicals - November

Myth: Arbor Day/Earth Day Is an Ideal Time to Install Trees - October

Myth: Native Plants Are Always the Best Choice for Environmentally Sustainable Landscaping - September

Myth: Planting Is Simple - Just Dig a Hole and Insert the Plant - August

Myth: Any Action Taken in Defense of the Environment Is Justifiable - July

Myth: Polyacrylamide Hydrogels are Environmentally Safe Substances that Reduce Irrigation Needs - June

Myth: The Quality of Plant Material Is Directly Proportional to the Price - May

Myth: Compost Tea Is an Effective Alternative to Traditional Pesticides - April

Myth: Newly Planted Trees Must Be Firmly Staked - March

Myth: Wound Dressings Protect Pruned Trees from Pathogen Damage - January

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2000

Myth: Adding Coarse Material Improves Container Drainage - December

Myth: Adding Sand Improves Clay Soil - November

Myth: Pruning the Tops of New Transplants Compensates for Root Loss - October

Myth: Phosphate Fertilizer Stimulates Root Growth upon Transplanting - September

Myth: Adding Organic Amendments Improves Soil - August

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