Thanks to the internet and the format of social media, we have access to almost limitless free advice, where we are often targeted based on our interest in other people's posts. If you're interested in gardening, your social media feeds are full of advice (spoiler alert: I am).
Let's take a look at some of the more questionable gardening ideas floating around lately.
Do you have used coffee grounds in your yard?
One example of unsolicited advice I received was the recommendation to use coffee grounds in the garden. When I searched for “coffee grounds in the garden” I found a variety of answers. Some websites said it was a good idea, others said it was a bad idea. My experience and common sense led me to the conclusion that it was not a good idea.
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A good reason to use coffee grounds is that they are loaded with nitrogen and other nutrients. They are also very acidic. These seem like worthy purposes, but the problem is, you don't know how much nitrogen you're getting. I did some more research and learned that coffee grounds contain about 2% nitrogen. My research also revealed that the pH level of the grounds is closer to neutral than acidic. This is because most of the acid gets into your cup and you drink it.
Coffee grounds contain caffeine, which can inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. Just as coffee grounds are recommended as a fertilizer, they are also recommended for weed control. Weeds are plants. If caffeine is harmful to weeds, it cannot be beneficial to desirable plants.
Can vinegar be used as a weed killer?
Another problematic recommendation we often see on social media is to use a vinegar mixture as a weed killer. If you care at all about your soil health, don't use vinegar as a weed killer. The recommended homemade mixture of table salt, vinegar, and dish soap is not a good idea.
For some reason, some people think that these home remedies are more natural. But they are not. There is absolutely no organic matter in vinegar, salt, and dish soap. Also, this method only burns off the top green parts of the weeds; the roots survive, and the weeds grow back quickly. Plus, this mixture can harm the soil and surrounding plants.
Where can you get trustworthy gardening advice?
If you've been fooled by false information on the internet before, there are tons of better, more reliable resources out there. When you're online, try to use sites that aren't sponsored or selling products. Look for sources like The Ohio State University's Horticultural Extension Service, which connects the public with The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
The Extension System is the largest informal education system in the world. Extension is unique in that it provides programs with experts who address the needs of local communities while also addressing state, national, and global issues. Hands-on education programs combine the needs of local people and communities with new research and technical information.
At OSU Extension you can find all kinds of great information on all kinds of gardening issues, and they have a feature called “Ask an Expert,” where you have the option to submit your question and it will be answered by an expert from OSU faculty or Master Gardeners.
You can also get great advice in person at your favourite local independent garden centre. They're full of knowledgeable people, most of whom are just as passionate about gardening as you are. They love to share their knowledge – for many, that's why they got into the business.
