The amateur and professional world of gardening is full of myths which, unfortunately, continue to be the focus of attention in specialist magazines and DIY fairs. The fact is that many common myths among gardening enthusiasts help manufacturers sell more gardening products, but actually accomplish nothing else.
Whether you consider gardening a hobby or farming for a living, be smart and make sure you don’t fall for these 5 gardening myths.
Gardeners should change the soil at least once a year.
This myth stems from the gardener’s philosophy that nutrients in the soil only last about a year. Many gardeners worry that next growing season there won’t be enough potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen to keep plants and vegetables healthy. Most soil will stay nutrient-rich for at least two years, and you can add compost to boost the nutrient level in soil that was not potted the previous year.
You should water your lawn every day in the summer.
Too much water causes long-term damage to your lawn, as evidenced by prolonged heavy rains during the rainy season. Healthy lawns include periods of dry soil to prevent insects and disease from attacking your plants and vegetables. Water your lawn early in the morning or after sunset three times a week to maximize soil moisture absorption.
Use organic pesticides
Many natural toxins can degrade the soil enough to stunt or stunt the growth of plants and vegetables. The improper use of organic pesticides threatens the health of animals and people, as well as that of the creatures that make gardens thrive, such as bees and frogs. Safe storage of pesticides eliminates some of the health risks, but you should always pay attention to the instructions on a box or bag of organic pesticides.
Small stones improve the drainage of the pot.
You will find that professional gardeners recommend adding gravel or small stones to the bottom of the pots to improve drainage. However, what happens when gravel and small stones find the small holes that are normally drilled in the bottom of pots and soil containers? There is no place for water. To optimize the drainage of the pot, work with a good quality soil that naturally favors the drainage of water.
Slugs avoid eggshells
Large amounts of eggshells can prevent snails harmful to plants and vegetables from entering the garden soil. To put a lot of eggshells around the perimeter of a garden and next to plants and vegetables, you need to have a steady diet of your favorite egg mix, and enough to start with. If you prefer to crack the eggs and keep the shells, you’re wasting money that could be better spent implementing a different snail control strategy.