If you use Epsom salts when planting tomatoes, will you get bigger tomatoes? Find out on this episode of the GardenFork Radio podcast. Erin joins Eric to talk gardening myths, and we find out which ones work and which ones don't.
Epsom Salts, Fact or Fiction?
Does using Epsom salts with tomatoes help?
Use treated wood for raised beds?
Does hydrogel work?
Does soap deter deer?
As you listen to the show, clearly Erin of The Impatient Gardener has done her homework, and Eric learns a few things. A good takeaway from the research we did was that you can find any answer you want on the internet, so stick to sites that have a good reputation. Erin suggests that information from accredited universities is a good place to start. So look for websites that end in .edu for reliable information.
We reference a very good garden book, The Truth About Garden Remedies, for good information to dispel or prove some of these garden myths, a big thank you to Jeff Gilman for the effort he put into the book.
There is that FOMO thing that happens when you hear about a tip for growing better tomatoes, and the anxiety that you are missing out on a cool thing by not using this simple tip to better vegetable gardening. This is why Erin and Eric picked a few topics suggested by GardenFork viewers to talk about on this podcast. I've seen videos on YouTube get thousands of views with these simple tips to better fruiting on plants, and I feel the compelling need to watch them, then I realize what the video about is not worth the time I spent watching. At least while listening to GardenFork Radio, you can also do something else.
We will be doing another garden myths show, please let us know what garden myths you have heard in the comments below.
Jim
I find fragile egg shells when in the compost pile become then like armour and remain. Instead for Winter place in bowl and sit on corner of heat duct - one day they are dry. put in cloth bag and use 2" pvc pipe section as a rolling pin to run over bag. Shells come out like fine grit - throw where you need and they disappear. Summer bowl on deck or any Sunny spot; rest same.
For slugs - flashligtht & scissors at night. Slugs will be gone.
I don't trust the pressure treated lumber for veggie garden - despite claims of safe. Still I wonder if putting regular wood on top of some type of paver brick might make last much longer? Or on top of a TREX lower level?
David McClellan
Hey, Another great gardening myth buster is Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
https://puyallup.wsu.edu/lcs/
She has the university research to back up her statements.
david