14 Things Everyone Does to Save Time Gardening That Are Total Myths

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Gardening is both relaxing and rewarding, but let’s be honest, it can also be time consuming. There are endless articles and hacks that promise to cut your gardening hours in half, so it’s easy to believe that there are magic shortcuts so your plants will grow without much effort. Are those “foolproof” tips really all they’re cracked up to be? It turns out not everything we’ve been told about saving time in the garden is as effective as we’d like to think. In fact, some of these practices may even lead to more work in the future!

Are you considering investing in a new garden gadget or making a change to your routine? Before you do, let’s consider some of the most common gardening myths and see if there’s more hype than help. These might seem like they’ll save you precious hours, but the truth may be the opposite.

Coffee Grounds as Fertilizer

Many people think that coffee grounds are a superfood for plants, a quick, free boost. Coffee grounds have some nutrients, but they can also make your soil too acidic if you use them too much. That can be bad for plants that don’t like acidic conditions. Coffee grounds can also clump and stop water from seeping into the soil properly. Coffee grounds are far better used through composting with other organic material, which makes for a nutrient rich mix that doesn’t drastically change your soil’s pH.

Better Drainage Using Stones at the Bottom of the Pots

People think placing rocks at the bottom of pots improves drainage. In truth, putting rocks into a drainage system actually makes drainage worse because the rocks provide a barrier that holds water in the soil above. It keeps roots wet longer, and that increases the risk of root rot. Better than adding stones is using high quality, well draining potting soil.

Epsom Salt for Big Plants

Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is touted as a miracle growth aid for lush, green plants. However, most soils don’t have a magnesium deficiency and too much can actually cause nutrient imbalances that will stunt plant growth. If you think you have a nutrient deficiency, you should get a soil test first before you take to Epsom salt on a hunch.

I believe “Bug Friendly” = “Plant Friendly”

While bees and butterflies are great for pollination, not all bugs are. Aphids, spider mites, caterpillars: all of these can become a problem very quickly. When you see a pest, hand pick it off, or use a gentle method like neem oil to control pests, and maintain a garden full of the right insects.

Overcrowding Plants for Faster Growth

Green Plant on Brown Soil — Photo Credit: Chand Sharma/Pexels

Some gardeners believe that by planting flowers and veggies close together, they will grow faster, creating a ‘microclimate.’ The reality is that overcrowding often means there’s competition for food, water, light, and that stunts growth. It’s worse, it invites diseases and pests that do well in tight quarters. Allow your plants room to breathe and grow — they’ll reward you with healthier blooms and a bigger harvest in the end.

Keeping Plants Happy Through Overwatering

a person watering plants with a watering can — Photo Credit: Karolina Kaboompics/Pexels

So more water, more growth, right? Unfortunately, this logic often backfires. One of the most common plant killers is over watering — too much water kills roots by drowning them and depriving them of oxygen. A good soak, then time to dry out between is usually what most plants want. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry, and plants are sturdier than we give them credit for!

Use Vinegar as a Weed Killer

Vinegar works to zap weeds on contact, but it doesn’t kill the root, so they’ll likely sprout right back. Vinegar also can damage soil quality and kill off beneficial insects if used too much. A more effective approach? Suppress weeds in your garden beds with mulch and hand weed any weeds you can’t get rid of.

Pruning When You Have the Shears Handy

A lot of people believe that if you have a free minute, you just snip here and there to keep plants looking healthy and shaped. But timing is everything with pruning. Pruning at the wrong time can reduce flowering, encourage disease or stress your plants. Make sure to check each plant’s preferred pruning time before grabbing the shears — your plants will thank you with healthier growth and better blooms.

Planting Everything in the Sunniest Spot

Green Plants on a Plant Box — Photo Credit: Ian Probets/Pexels

All plants don’t want direct sun all day, but most plants need a healthy dose of sunlight. Leafy greens, for example, may be partial shade lovers, especially in hot climates. Overexposure can cause wilting and sunburn. Put plants together by how much sunlight they need, and give each the light they like.

Using a High Powered Fertilizer for All Plants

Fertilizer is just like food for plants, and different plants have different dietary needs. Certain plants will grow too quickly if fertilized with a heavy handed approach using a high powered fertilizer, resulting in weak stems and leaves. Most plants should be fed with a balanced, all purpose fertilizer, but specialty formulas should be used for plants such as succulents or flowering varieties.

Leaving Dead Plants in the Ground to ‘Compost’

Photo Credit: Viktor Sergeevich/Shutterstock

Dead plants left in your beds to act as “natural compost” will attract pests and diseases that will then spread to your healthy plants. If they’re disease free, pull them up and add them to a compost pile. That way, you don’t have to worry about putting your garden at risk when using compost.

You Expect Rain to Handle All Your Watering

It’s not enough to rely on rain alone, especially if you live in a climate that’s unpredictable. With a simple drip irrigation system or watering on a schedule, you can keep your garden hydrated without being at the mercy of nature. It goes a long way towards making sure your plants don’t dry out.

Belief in the “Set It and Forget It” Garden Bed

10 Genius Ways to Grow Food Anywhere While Keeping It Beautiful — Photo Credit: Shutterstock

There are many advertisements for low maintenance raised beds or container gardens. They still need watering, weeding, and a re-mulching sometimes. If you’re seeking low maintenance plants, consider drought tolerant varieties or native plants for your area. Veggies or exotic flowers require more input than these choices can thrive with.

Assuming That Grass Clippings Are the Perfect Mulch

Photo Credit: Mariana Serdynska/Shutterstock

Grass clippings can be a great mulch, but only if you apply them carefully. If they’re too thick, they will mat together and trap moisture, making a perfect environment for pests and diseases. Drying clippings out a bit will help. Instead of spreading a thin layer, or mix them with other mulches like leaves to keep air circulating.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.