“You should add sand as an amendment to clay soils.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “You should add sand as an amendment to clay soils.” Wrong. Sand usually compounds the problem (clay acts as Portland cement; add sand and you make concrete), or at the very least improves drainage not a...

“The most important design consideration in choosing and placing perennials and annuals is color of bloom.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “The most important design consideration in choosing and placing perennials and annuals is color of bloom.” Wrong. The most important consideration in choosing and placing perennials and annuals is shape,...

“Water-soluble fertilizers work just as well as granular, and are in many ways easier and more beneficial.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Water-soluble fertilizers work just as well as granular, and are in many ways easier and more beneficial.” Nah-nah-nana-nah-nah, hope you’re having real fun. If your garden is anywhere near...

“When buying tomato plants, buy the biggest plants you can find.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “When buying tomato plants, buy the biggest plants you can find.” Only do this if you are interested in growing sub-par tomatoes. It all comes back to a basic principle of gardening: The earlier in an...

“Organic pesticides don’t harm the environment.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “Organic pesticides don’t harm the environment.” Unequivocally false. We’re talking pesticides, and on the organic side of the equation, this means things like insecticidal soaps, Bt (Bacillus...

“It’s a good idea to rototill your garden beds every year.”

Jan 3, 2017 | Myth of the Week

RENEGADE GARDENER™ The lone voice of horticultural reason “It’s a good idea to rototill your garden beds every year.” Wrong. Believe it or not, one gardening device that even the most fanatical, obsessive, anal, and ridiculously addicted gardener can live without...