When it comes to gardening, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. Learn the facts and improve your odds of gardening success! Gardening advice is often shared around by people like gossip. It is simple for you to hear it, also believe it, and then practice it in your own garden. After all, gardeners often learn gardening tips and tricks from one another rather than verifying the facts on Google. Here we have debunked some common gardening myths for you to keep in mind. Myth: Drought-tolerant plants do not require watering Drought-tolerant plants indeed require less water compared to other plants, but that does not mean you will never have to water them. If the soil around your drought-tolerant plant is arid, you need to pull out your garden hose and water it. Young plants are more prone to drought as their roots are slowly growing. Keep the soil moist and not soggy, regardless of your plant’s reputation for resiliency. Myth: Composting generates a foul odour “Composting will stink up your place.” It is something you commonly hear about composting. But the reality is quite different. If your compost does not smell like earthy soil, probably something is wrong with it. Ensuring that your compost gets enough air will help your pile smell fresh. Regularly turn your compost to allow the entry of additional oxygen and a more uniform decomposition of organic waste. Myth: Burying banana peels can provide a potassium boost to roses Banana peels contain high levels of potassium, but burying the entire peel can backfire on the nourishment of your roses as the microorganisms present in the soil break down the peels by extracting notable amounts of nitrogen from the soil, which in turn results in the release of lesser nitrogen, preventing the plant from greening up. The ideal place for banana peels is not in the soil but in a compost pile. Myth: Potting soil needs to be replaced regularly If you have a windowsill herb garden or a container garden, you might have heard that it is essential to turn the soil regularly to ensure that your veggies and herbs get enough nutrients. But you are replacing the soil once a year is enough. Myth: Add sand to clay soil to enhance drainage In clay soil, waterlogging is common because the soil particles are very fine and are easily compacted. On the other hand, sand drains quickly because its particles are less tightly spaced and coarse. But if you add sand to clay, its tiny particles clog the gaps between the sand grains, resulting in the formation of a substance similar to concrete. For improving clay, the secret ingredient is not sand but compost. Next time on, when a well-intentioned gardener offers a time-tested tip, you will be able to distinguish facts from myths.
