I am always amazed at the amount of incorrect information that exists in books and on the net. How is it that with so many researchers and gardeners out there, we still don’t understand some basic things like the proper way to plant a tree, or how to fertilize our plants. For a number of years I have been collecting and researching garden myths and using them in my presentations as a way to educate gardeners.
Garden Myths is a blog dedicated to unearthing the truth about gardening. It looks at common and not so common myths and debunks them. The blog goes one step further and explains the science around the ‘truth’. Don’t let the word ‘science’ scare you off. The blog is written for the general public with no science background.
The goal of this blog is to provide you with a better understanding of how your plants live and breathe. It is not a set of rules and statements for you to follow. Instead it attempts to explain the ‘WHY’ of gardening. Once you understand the why, you will be able to better respond to new situations in the garden. Rather than give you fish, I want to teach you how to fish.
Who am I?
My name is Robert Pavlis. I live in southern Ontario; in Canadian and US zone 5. I have been gardening for more than 30 years – I stopped counting at 30! I am a Master Gardener and speak about gardening at many local gardening events and horticulture meetings. I contributed the ‘Plant of the Month’ articles for the Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society for 10 years, write articles for some local newspapers and teach a 6 week Gardening Fundamentals course at the local university.
A few years ago, I bought 6 acres of land and have been developing a large private garden called Aspen Grove Gardens. We now have about 3,000 perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.
I am a plantaholic!
I have a background in chemistry and biochemistry and it is this background that helps me research topics and understand the underlying science behind things. Once I understand the topic it is then my task to present the information in an easy to understand style that is both informative and fun to read.
I hope you find Garden Myths an educational site that helps you understand your garden better.
My gardening philosophy:
– Understand the ‘why’ in everything you do
– Look to nature for answers – mother nature already knows how to garden
– KISS in the garden; KISS = keep it simple stupid
– Bugs and diseases are part of life – learn to live with it
– Organic gardening works – too bad ‘organic fanatics’ mislead the public
– Have fun – or stop doing it
