Linda Chalker-Scott | Washington State University (original) (raw)

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Horticultural Myths

Looking for the newest myth-information? Check out our blog The Garden Professors. You’ll find science-based information from four horticultural professors from around the country.

Fertilizers

• The Myth of Beneficial Bone Meal (pdf)
• The Myth of Vitamin Shots (pdf)
• The Myth of Foliar Feeding (pdf)
• Phosphate
  • The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer (pdf)
  • The Myth of Phosphate Part II (pdf)
  • The Myth of Red Leaves (pdf)
• The Myth of Curative Kelp (pdf)
• The Myth of Antitranspirants (pdf)

How Plants Work

• The Color Conundrum (pdf)
• The Myth of Mineral Magic (pdf)
• The Myth of Xeriscaping (pdf)
• The Myth of Well-Behaved Ornamentals (pdf)
• The Myth of Wilting Leaves (pdf)
• The Myth of Night Light (pdf)
• Mycorrhizae: So, What the Heck Are They, Anyway? (pdf)
• The Myth of Uniform Plant Performance (pdf)
• The Myth of Stoic Trees (pdf)
• The Myth of Tree Topping Part II (pdf)

Maintaining Trees and Shrubs

• The Myth of Cloroxed Clippers (pdf)
• The Myth of Winter Watering (pdf)
• The Myth of Native Plant Superiority (pdf)
• The Myth of Plant Quality (pdf)
• The Myth of Top-Pruning Transplanted Material (pdf)
• The Myth of Tree Topping (pdf)
• The Myth of Vibrating Vehicles (pdf)
• The Myth of Hot-Weather Watering (pdf)
• The Myth of Wound Dressings (pdf)

Mulches

• The Myth of Pretty Mulch (pdf)
• Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Dust Mulches (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Landscape Fabric (pdf)
• The Myth of Paper-Based Sheet Mulch (pdf)
• The Myth of Rubberized Landscapes (pdf)
• Wood Chips
  • Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Wood Chip Mulch (pdf) (References)
  • The Myth of Alleopathic Wood Chips (pdf)
  • The Myth of Pathogenic Wood Chips (pdf)
• The Myth of Phytotoxic Yard Waste (pdf)

Pesticides

• Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Bt Biopesticides (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Baking Soda (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Organic Superiority Part II (pdf)
• Compost Tea
  • The Myth of Compost Tea Part I: Pest Control (pdf)
  • The Myth of Compost Tea Part II: Disease Suppression (pdf)
  • The Myth of Compost Tea Part III: Disease Suppression (pdf) (EPA Statement (pdf) on Pesticidal Use of Compost Tea)
  • Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Compost Tea (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Weed-Killing Gluten (pdf)
• The Myth of Wandering Weedkiller (pdf)
• The Myth of the Magic Bullet (pdf)
• Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Horticultural Oils (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Milk and Roses (pdf)

Planting Techniques

• The Myth of Root Snorkels (pdf)
• The Myth of Instant Landscaping (pdf)
• The Myth of Indisputable Information (pdf)
• The Myth of Protected Preservatives (pdf)
• The Myth of Fragile Roots (pdf)
• The Myth of Collapsing Root Balls (pdf)
• The Myth of Staking (pdf)
• The Myth of Arbor Day/Earth Day Planting in the West (pdf)
• The Myth of Vitamin Stimulants (pdf)
• The Myth of Mighty Roots (pdf)

Scientific Literacy

• The Myth of Biodynamic Agriculture (pdf)
• The Myth of Companion Plantings (pdf)
• The Myth of Absolute Science (pdf)
• On Eco-Terrorism (pdf)
• The Myth of Folklore Gardening (pdf)
• The Myth of Organic Superiority (pdf)

Soil Amendments

• The Myth of Coffee Grounds (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Drainage Material in Container Plantings (pdf)
• Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Epsom Salts (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Gypsum Magic (pdf)
• Organic Matter
  • The Myth of Soil Amendments Part I (pdf)
  • The Myth of Clean Compost (pdf)
  • The Myth of Soil Amendments Part III: Compost (pdf)
  • The Myth of Soil Amendments Part IV: Water Quality (pdf)
• The Myth of Permanent Peatlands (pdf)
• Polyacrylamide Gels
  • The Myth of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels (pdf)
  • The Myth of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Part II (pdf)
  • Myths, Miracles or Marketing? Super-absorbent Water Crystals (Hydrogels) (pdf) (References)
• The Myth of Soil Amendments Part II: Sand (pdf)