Episode 207: Dispelling Garden Myths

Linda Chalker-Scott dispels gardening myths in workshops, books, and now on our show!

Are wood chips good or bad for your landscape? Should you stake those young trees, or not? Is landscape fabric necessary? Should you go by the rules Grandma taught you, or the completely different ones you heard from the “expert gardener” down the street? As gardeners, we’re bombarded by advice, both good and bad, and often contradictory. How do you know which is the good? Even established advice does not mean good advice.

Sometimes advice is inconsistent for a reason, for example growing conditions may be very different in different parts of the country. As gardeners move from area to area, they may carry their standard practices with them without taking into consideration how different the conditions are. But other times, it’s just plain old bad advice – myths passed down from generation to generation, sources long since lost.

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott shows Joe tree damage from improper staking

So if you’ve ever wondered whether some of the gardening advice you’ve been given is good, you are not alone! Joe visits with Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, who decided to put some of this old garden advice to the test. In the process, Linda has busted a number of garden myths and has even written some books on the subject, making her “The Informed Gardener”. In this episode, she gives Joe a tour of some myths found in “instant landscapes,” curbside streetscaping, even her own front yard.

Chef Nathan cooks up a tasty, tangy German Potato Salad served still warm with bacon and herbs

For more information:

• Joe’s Podcast with Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott – Part 1 & Part 2
• Chef Nathan’s recipe for Warm German Potato Salad
• Linda Chalker-Scott The Informed Gardener

About GGWTV

Growing A Greener World is a national gardening series on Public Television that features organic gardening, green living and farm to table cooking. Each episode focuses on compelling and inspirational people making a difference through gardening. This gardening series covers everything from edible gardening and sustainable agriculture to seasonal cooking and preserving the harvest.
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