As National Gardening Week arrives, the RHS offers up five things in your garden that you think might work, but which actually don’t
This week marks the RHS’s National Gardening Week, a campaign to encourage more people into gardening and horticulture. The theme of the week is ‘Knowledge is Flower’ a week long exploration of gardening myths.
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This year, National Gardening Week runs with the RHS Big Seed Sow, a community-growing campaign designed to get people sowing and sharing seeds, connecting with their communities and celebrating the start of a new growing year.
To mark the week, the RHS has shared five key gardening myths that many people believe are true. Which of these are new to you?
Digging for soil fertility
Many gardeners believe you need to dig to improve soil fertility. This is false, and digging actually releases soil nitrogen, which in fact can damage soil.
Here’s more on no-dig gardening
Pot Planting
There has been a long-time misconception that growing plants in a pot is better, but pot planting also causes limited root spread and increases the need for watering and feeding. With some exceptions, it is better to plant in the ground.
Here’s ideas for summer container planting
Crocks in pots improve drainage
Gardeners have long believed that crocks in pots improve drainage, but this is false. Disrupted capillary action and reduced soil volume mean they don’t help. Instead, crocks can be helpful for gardeners to prevent the compost from dropping through the hole at the bottom of the pot.
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Not watering in the sun
A long-held misconception is that watering in the sun scorches leaves. Though it is best to water at ground level, scorching does not happen. Scorching to new plants from lack of hardening off is far more common.
When to water plants in hot weather
Planting holes in clay soil
A common myth among those planting in clay soil is that it is best to make a large planting hole to fill with grit. However, this creates a sump, so the roots get waterlogged and rot, harming the plants.
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