Gardening Fact or Fiction Series #1
Folklore, old wives tales, call it what you will but there are a lot of gardening ideas out there that may or may not be a lot of hooie balooie! Let’s examine three at a time and see if the theories hold water.
Myth #1
Adding stones to the bottom of a pot helps with drainage.
Fiction! If your container has a drainage hole at the bottom, this should be the only escape route for water. By placing gravel at the bottom of the pot you risk blocking the drainage hole and creating a swimming pool effect which will eventually rot the plants roots. For the best drainage possible use a potting mix that contains smaller bark pieces that will allow water to flow downward.
Myth #2
Thick mulch is better for the plant.
Fiction! While mulch is great for keeping weeds down and keeping moisture in, too much mulch around your plants interferes with water flow, discourages aeration,
and provides the ideal environment for fungus and bacteria to flourish. When freshening mulch in the spring or fall be sure to break up any existing compacted mulch with a rake and pull it back from the base of your plants at least 6 inches. Spread the new layer lightly, again, 6 inches from the base of your plants to allow them to breath and absorb water.
Myth #3
My evergreens leaves are turning yellow or brown in the spring, it must be sick!
Fiction! While yellowing leaves can certainly be a signal of poor plant health, pests or disease it’s important to understand the plants life cycle before you pull out the spray or replace the plant. Here we are talking about evergreen shrubs such as hollies, gardenias, magnolias, arborvitaes or cryptomeria’s etc. When our deciduous plants drop their leaves in the fall we don’t worry that they are dying right? Well, evergreens go through a regeneration cycle just as deciduous plants do but, it happens at a different time of the year and in a different way. Evergreens shed foliage when the leaves are 2-3 years old. These leaves are closest to the trunk of the shrub or tree. They shed the old leaves and shoot out new growth at the tips of the branches. If you are unsure about what your plant is doing come see us at the garden center!