5 common gardening myths: What’s fact and what’s fiction?

LIFESTYLE NEWS - Spring brings gardens back to life – and with it comes plenty of familiar gardening advice. But how much of what we hear is actually true?

Gardena South Africa takes a closer look at five common gardening beliefs to separate fact from fiction.

“The tricky thing about gardening myths is that their consequences aren’t always obvious,” says Fathima Mathen, Marketing Manager at GARDENA South Africa.

“A practice may be repeated for years without us questioning whether it could be contributing to a problem we have been attributing to something else.”

1. Watering in hot weather

Myth: The hotter the weather, the more often you should water. If it has rained, there is no need to water.

Fact: Neither is a reliable rule. Plants have different water requirements, while frequent, light watering can encourage shallow root systems.

Established plants may benefit from deeper watering at longer intervals. Heavy rain can also result in runoff, with less moisture reaching the root zone.

Rather than relying solely on the weather or calendar, check the soil. If it is still moist below the surface, there is no need to water. If it is dry, water thoroughly enough to reach the root zone.

2. Water droplets cause leaf scorch

Myth: Water droplets on leaves in direct sunlight act like tiny magnifying glasses and scorch the foliage.

Fact: This long-standing belief is not supported by evidence. Water droplets do not focus sunlight strongly enough to scorch leaves.

The bigger concern when watering in hot weather is evaporation. Watering in the early morning or late afternoon can be more efficient.

Drip irrigation, such as Garedenas systems, delivers water directly to the soil around the roots, making watering time less important.

3. Fallen leaves should always be removed

Myth: Fallen leaves should always be raked up.

Fact: Not necessarily. Leaves can be mown into fine pieces, allowing them to decompose on the lawn and return nutrients to the soil.

However, a thick layer of leaves may need to be removed first, as mowing alone may not break them down sufficiently and could result in the lawn being smothered.

4. Digging improves soil fertility

Myth: Digging soil is essential for improving its fertility.

Fact: Turning soil with a spade or fork is not the only way to improve soil health. In some circumstances, excessive disturbance can do more harm than good.

Knowing is what is best often comes down to trial and error.

Digging can disrupt earthworms, fungi and soil structure that support healthy plant growth.

A less disruptive approach is to add well-rotted organic matter to the surface and allow natural processes, roots and soil organisms to incorporate it over time. This is the principle behind no-dig gardening, although the best approach depends on the condition and intended use of the soil.

5. Grass clippings cause thatch

Myth: Leaving grass clippings on the lawn causes thatch – a layer of undecomposed plant material that builds up between the grass and soil.

Fact: Grass clippings are not a significant cause of thatch. Short clippings contain plenty of water and readily degradable material, allowing them to break down quickly and return nutrients to the lawn.

The key is keeping the clippings short. Clippings of about 2.5 cm or less can generally be left where they fall if they are evenly distributed.

Long, wet clippings can form clumps that shade and smother the grass underneath, so these should be removed or spread out.

Growing wiser

“These are some of the most persistent myths we come across in the gardening space, and watering habits especially tend to be the reason people don’t get the results they’re hoping for,” says Mathen.

“Ultimately, gardening is a learning curve, and while some gardening advice deserves a gold medal, some deserves quiet retirement. Knowing the difference often comes down to trial, error and the occasional dead plant,” she concludes.

Because, in the end, it’s the garden that has the final word.

For more gardening inspiration and product solutions, visit Gardena South Africa

In the end, your garden will have the final say. Photos: Supplied