There are many urban legends floating
around about gardening, and sometimes it's hard to figure out what is truth
and what is myth. The Summer 2004 Old Farmer's Almanac Gardener's
Companion separates fact from fiction on commonly held misconceptions -
here is the low-down on a few popular gardening tips.
Watering
The Tip -
Spray delicate plants with cold water,
at night, before a heavy frost.
We Say: Do it (carefully).
Water both absorbs heat and releases it,
so a layer of ice can keep strawberry plants and peach trees from freezing
(plants freeze at four or five degrees below the freezing point of water).
But, once you increase humidity around the plant with night watering, your
encourage fungal disease. Make sure the weather report justifies
the practice. It's a very exact science.
The Tip:
Water houseplants with ice cubes.
We say: Don't.
It's a convenient idea, of course.
Dump a tray of ice on your plant, and the slow seepage will gradually moisten
the roots. The problem: Plants generally don't like cold water.
Moreover, seepage isn't as slow as you might think.
The Tip:
Stop watering before the season ends.
We say: Do it.
When tomato plants know they're kicking
the bucket, those last green fruits will ripen nicely. Just make
sure that your plants have strong roots before you cut the water.
Cut Flowers
The Tip:
Add lemon-lime soda.
We say: Do it.
The acidity and sugar are both helpful
to flowers. Be generous: Make the soda (not diet) about a third
of the water's volume.
The Old Farmer's Almanac
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