There’s a myth going around warning gardeners to avoid one specific task – however an expert has debunked the myth and given advice on what you should do instead
If you’re eager to try out some weirder gardening hacks, an expert breaks down which ones actually work – and which common gardening myths to avoid.
As the weather continues to heat up, more Brits are spending time outdoors doing up their gardens. However, as romanticised as it is, gardening is undeniably tough work and many are turning online for helpful tips and advice. But while the Internet is full of gems, some of the information can be a little more dubious.
To help, Morris Hankinson, managing director of Hopes Groves Nurseries, has debunked one particularly common gardening myth surrounding watering plants in hot weather. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment.
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One popular myth says that you should avoid watering plants during the heat of the day as it can lead to leaf burn. Leaf burn is a a condition where plant leaves develop brown, crispy edges or tips, often due to environmental factors like excessive heat.
However, Morris says that this is pretty much false. He explains: “The idea that water droplets act like magnifying glasses and scorch plant leaves is mostly a myth.”
He explains: “The real reason to avoid watering during the hottest part of the day is that much of the water will just evaporate before reaching the roots.”
Although, he adds that “on a hot, dry day if you notice your plants that are struggling it’s still better to water” than to leave them to struggle and potentially become dehydrated.
In that case, he advises to make sure to water into the ground so the roots get the water. Otherwise, you risk the water evaporating from the leaves in the heat.
Another common myth that Morris cautions against following is putting gravel in a pot to improve drainage. He says that “all it really does is stop the compost from falling out the drainage hole when filling up with soil.”
Worse still, it could even be causing harm to your plants. This is because it creates a perched water table, allowing moisture to collect closer to the roots, potentially leading to issues like root rot.
However, if you’re wondering what myths actually do work and can give your plants a boost, particularly if they’re struggling in the heat, Morris says egg shells make a great fertiliser.
He says: “Egg shells provide a good source of calcium for plants, like tomatoes, and help reduce soil acidity.”
Although, he does add that they “decompose slowly” and therefore should be crushed into smaller pieces if you want to “speed up the process”.