Blog - gardenmyths.com

Using Conductivity (EC) and pH Measurements to Control Hydroponic Solutions

Hydroponics can be a great way to grow plants but it is important to make sure the nutrient solution contains enough food for the whole growth cycle. If either pH or EC (electrical conductivity) is out of whack, plants grow poorly or stop growing all together. It is therefore important to measure and control the nutrient solution. This post will look at what the numbers mean and what you should do about them to keep plants growing well.

Key Takeaways

Keeping the pH and EC in the preferred range is important for plant growth.
Use EC and not TDS for measurements and online discussions.
Nutrient lockout does not really exist, but is important to understand.

an EC meter superimposed on tomatoes growing hydroponically in deep water culture. — EC should be measured for both the deep water culture and Kratky methods

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Do Squash and Pumpkins Need Sun to Ripen?

Does the fruit of squash and pumpkins need light to complete its ripening process? Should you remove leaves so that sun can get to the fruit to speed up ripening? If pumpkins are picked green, should they be left in sunshine or not?

Key Takeaways

Most answers in Google on this topic and many other gardening topics is wrong.
Sunlight is not required to ripen fruit.

fall display of pumpkins, wall nuts and leaves. — Pumpkins and Squash for Halloween, source: Depositphotos

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Attracting Ladybugs to Your Garden

Ladybugs, also called lady beetles, ladybirds and ladybird beetles, are one of the gardeners best friends because they eat aphids and other pests. What attracts these beneficial insects to your garden? Is it the plants or the aphids? Are there plants you can grow which will bring more into your garden?

Key Takeaways

Plant selection is more important than having aphids.
Ladybugs eat much more than just pests.
Volatile chemicals are the key to attracting and keeping ladybugs.

Ladybug eating aphids, source: Depositphotos

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Dr. Elaine Ingham and The Soil Food Web School

Dr. Elaine Ingham and the Soil Food Web School promote a number of controversial topics in soil management and in this post I would like to have a closer look at a number of these.

Key Takeaways

There is little scientific support for the benefits of compost tea.
F:B ratio is probably the result of plant growth, and not a driver for plant selection.
Looking at microbes under a microscope has limited value for gardeners and market gardeners.

diagram showing the soil food web with lots of different organisms each each other

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Molasses for Plants

This is a hot gardening topic these days, and many organic gardeners are promoting the idea that you should add molasses to your compost pile, to compost tea, or even spray plants with it. In tea and on soil, it makes microbes grow, and on plants, it can prevent pests.

Molasses: Should you eat it or use it in the garden?

A family of ginerbread cookies. — Molasses is better for cookies, source: Йоана Петрова

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When Should You Harvest Peppers?

Peppers come in many colors; green, yellow, orange, red and even purple, but when is the best time to pick them? Will they ripen after you harvest them? If they ripen indoors are they as good as vine ripened ones? Let’s have a close look.

Key Takeaways

Peppers can be picked before they are fully ripe.
Peppers will continue to ripen once they are picked if they are picked at the right maturity stage.
Fully ripe peppers are not the hottest ones.

pepper plant with several peppers, some yellow, some red, some green, some partly red. — Which of these peppers should be picked?, source: Depositphotos

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GMO Houseplant Purifies Air – True or Scam?

The company Neoplants has been in the news a lot lately because they promoted a new genetically engineered houseplant that is claimed to clean the air in your home. In their Neo Px white paper they say, “we created a bioengineered plant system that can effectively fight air pollution”.

What is the true story?

Key Takeaways

GMO pothos houseplants have been developed that are more efficient than non-GMO plants at removing VOCs.
The new GMO plants are not yet efficient enough to make a difference in your home.

Is this the future of clean air? source: Depositphotos

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What Do Weeds Tell Us About Soil?

Are weeds good indicator plants? Does the presence of a particular weeds tell you something about your soil? There are many claims online that you can tell the pH of your soil by checking the weeds. Some claim that weeds indicate an imbalance in the ratio of bacteria to fungi, and other claim they can be used to detect nutrient deficiencies. Let’s separate myth from fact.

Key Takeaways

Weeds are much more versatile than most people think and many are not always good indicator plants.
Indicator plants can tell you about your soil, but they can difficult to read.

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How To Lower High Phosphorus Levels in Soil

Over fertilization with either synthetic and organic material can result in toxic soil that no longer supports plant growth. This is a common problem in raised beds that are filled with too much organic matter but it can occur in any garden. Today I’ll have a look at both the cause of high phosphorus in soil and ways that you can use to reduce the level.

Key Takeaways

High phosphorus levels are a series problem that is becoming more common.
Reduce the use of synthetic and organic fertilizer with high relative phosphorus.
Reduce P levels by growing the right crops and removing all organic matter.

High phosphorus levels can be toxic to plants, source: Depositphotos

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Does Gardening Harm the Environment?

As gardeners we think that our hobby is good for the environment but a new study finds that it is more harmful to the environment than conventional agriculture. If we follow the science, it would be better for climate change if we stop growing our own food.

girl holding large tomato, in front of a desolate background — Does gardening harm the environment?, source: Depositphotos

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Control Slugs and Snails with Bread Dough

Now that sounds crazy! You are trying to get rid of slugs and snails and now some people are suggesting you feed them with bread dough? This sounds like another DIY garden myth, but it’s not. In this case, it is a simple solution that has been scientifically tested and proven to work.

ball of uncooked bread dough with four snails crawling on it. — Snails are attracted to bread dough, source: Depositphotos

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How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally, In the Garden

Some gardeners must hate ants because they are constantly talking about natural ways to get rid of them in the garden. If you thought home remedies are popular for things like slugs or weeds, it doesn’t compare to the number of solutions available for getting rid of ants naturally.

A lot of research has been done on fire ants, and for good reason. They bite and sting and their sting is painful.

What does the science tell us about controlling ants outside? Let’s have a closer look at natural home remedies for getting rid of ants.

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally, In the Garden, photo by Brian Mai

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