Robert Pavlis

Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting – Book Review

I have written about companion planting several times and have concluded that most recommended companions, either don’t work, or there is no scientific support for them. When the book, “Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden” was released I was definitely intrigued because all prior books on the subject are mostly myths and definitely not based on science.

Jessica Walliser, the author, was kind enough to provide a copy for review. Does this book finally provide a sound set of recommendations for companion planting?

Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting - Book Review — Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting – Book Review

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How To Name Plants Correctly – Botanical Names vs Common Names

Knowledge of plant names is the foundation of gardening and they help gardeners select plants and determine how to grow them. Many gardeners obtain or share knowledge by communicating with other plant enthusiasts from around the world. A good grasp of plant names and how to use them, will save you significant time, effort, and money.

The proper use of plant names becomes more complicated when we consider varieties, cultivars, hybrids, and regional differences between common names.

A rose by any other name might not smell as sweet…because it’s an entirely different plant!

Use the correct plant names, source: David J. Stang, Liné1

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Will Gypsum Improve Clay Soil?

People struggle with clay soil and try all kinds of quick fixes, including gypsum, which is regularly touted as a clay buster, but does it really work? Will gypsum make clay soil easier to dig? Will it improve drainage? Should you add it to your soil?

Maybe!

There are good reasons for using gypsum, but you have to know when and when not to use it. Most gardeners should not use it. Don’t listen to marketing hype about this product – much of it is wrong.

Will Gypsum Improve Clay Soil? Source: Stuff

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Gentiana Angustifolia – the Blue Trumpet Gentian

Gentiana angustifolia, by Robert Pavlis

Gentiana angustifolia produces huge flowers relative to the size of the plant. This is one of the best plants in my rock garden and it should be added to every garden that specializes in small plants.

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Add a Japanese Zen Garden to Your Backyard

Zen gardens are some of the most famous examples of Japanese gardens. Originally invented by Japanese monks as early as the 700s, they are now iconic and popular around the world. Other names for Zen gardens include mediation gardens and Japanese rock gardens. Stones, sand and gravel are the most important features of these gardens, though they can also include bridges, water features and plants. At a glance, these gardens look simple and subdued but they are packed with meaning. The essence is a calming space for meditation that evokes natural landscapes on a small scale, which makes them a great choice for gardeners looking for a peaceful retreat in the comfort of their own home. Compared to other types of Japanese gardens, Zen gardens can be successfully created in small spaces and have low maintenance.

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Know Your Green Dragon: Arisaema Dracontium vs Pinellia Pedatisecta

Who wouldn’t want a green dragon in the garden? The problem is that some green dragons are native to North America (Arisaema dracontium) and others are not (Pinellia Pedatisecta). Pinellia is commonly sold as Arisaema dracontium, and since Pinellia is much more aggressive, it can take over native areas after well-intentioned gardeners plant it.

If you grow either of these plants, make sure you know which one you have.

There is nothing wrong with growing Pinellia in North America; just make sure you label it correctly and don’t plant it in wild areas.

Know Your Green Dragon: Arisaema Dracontium vs Pinellia Pedatisecta — Know Your Green Dragon: Arisaema Dracontium ripe fruit, source: ozarkedgewildflowers

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Wood Chip Mulch Myths

The use of wood chips for mulch is very popular but there are also many myths about it. Will it rob nitrogen from the soil? Is the dye on black mulch toxic? Do wood chips attract termites and can it ignite spontaneously?

These are just some of the myths I’ll investigate in this post.

Wood Chip Mulch Myths, source: Cindy Shebley

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Cornus Mas – The Cornelian Cherry

Cornus mas, photo by Robert Pavlis

Cornus mas is a shrub or small tree that blooms very early in year, even before forsythia. It has attractive yellow flowers followed by red fruit that develops in fall. It does not make a big splash in the garden, but adds a nice touch to a shrub border.

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Plant Starters and Root Boosters – Do They Work?

It’s planting time and most fertilizer manufacturers and nurseries are pushing their high phosphorus products, usually under names like Plant Starter, Root Booster and the one I really like “MegaMass”. These fertilizers claim to “supply the high phosphorus needed for rapid root development”.

Who doesn’t want good roots on their newly planted babies? Are roots not the key to great plants?

Let’s have a look at this extremely common myth.

Plant Starters and Root Boosters - Do They Work?. photo source: Farmer's Almanac — Plant Starters and Root Boosters – Do They Work? ;source: Farmer’s Almanac

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Flueggea suffruticosa aka Securinega suffruticosa

Flueggea suffruticosa aka Securinega suffruticosa, by Robert Pavlis

Flueggea suffruiticosa is a rare shrub in gardens that is interesting, but not spectacular, until fall when it turns a beautiful golden color. It is quite architectural, presenting a weeping habit.

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Is Bokashi Tea (Bokashi Leachate) a Good Fertilizer?

Despite its name, Bokashi composting is a fermentation process for handling kitchen scraps right in the home. It is fairly easy to do and produces few odors. The majority of the material ends up as fermented kitchen scraps and some is drained out the bottom as a brown liquid, commonly called Bokashi tea or Bokashi leachate. Advocates of this process claim that the Bokashi tea is a good fertilizer, full of all the nutrients your plants need.

In my previous discussion about Bokashi, I speculated that the tea contained few nutrients. At the time I found no chemical analysis of Bokashi tea, not even from proponents of the process. One of my readers has now found such a study and I will have a close look at the data in this post.

Nutrient levels in Bokashi tea, compared to synthetic fertilizer, by Garden Fundamentals, based on research by Håkan Asp

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Orchid Fertilizer Myths – Grow More Flowers

There is a lot of information floating around about fertilizing orchids, but much of it is wrong. For example, the whole concept of “orchid fertilizer” is a myth because there is no such thing.

It’s time that orchid growers understand fertilizers better. It will benefit your plants and save you money.

Orchid Fertilizer Myths - Grow More Flowers — Orchid Fertilizer Myths – Grow More Flowers

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