“When planting a new tree, DO NOT AMEND THE SOIL you shovel back into the hole around the tree.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “When planting a new tree, DO NOT AMEND THE SOIL you shovel back into the hole around the tree.” Well gee, um, OK, I won’t, even though it goes against every shred of instinct I’ve developed over my years...

“Thatch increases in lawns where the grass clippings are allowed to remain on the lawn.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Thatch increases in lawns where the grass clippings are allowed to remain on the lawn.” False. Using a mulching mower without a bagger (or the bag attachment closed off) and letting the clippings remain...

“The Stella de Oro daylily blooms all season long.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “The Stella de Oro daylily blooms all season long.” Not in the north it doesn’t. In fact, I don’t believe it blooms all season long anywhere in the country. I sat on an airplane one time next...

“Lawn mower manufacturers create five height settings on lawn mowers so that I can opt for the lowest setting and ignore the other four the entire rest of my life.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Lawn mower manufacturers create five height settings on lawn mowers so that I can opt for the lowest setting and ignore the other four the entire rest of my life.” Seriously, that’s what must be...

“Perennials should be divided in the spring.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Perennials should be divided in the spring.” Not an erroneous statement, just misleading so far as it implies that perennials should not, or cannot, be divided in the fall, particularly in the north. Fact...

“Boughs cut from your Christmas tree work beautifully as a winter mulch on the garden.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Boughs cut from your Christmas tree work beautifully as a winter mulch on the garden.”  There goes Martha again. I will pay $100,000 for every time Martha has gone out in her tan, goose-down jacket—the...