What's the truth behind some common gardening practices?
Reality can get skewed when there are so many sources of gardening information - books, magazines, newspapers, nurseries and, most of all, the internet and social media open up lots of room for contradiction. So, how do you find the right answer for gardening questions?
The best source for gardening information is scientific researched based. When you look for reliable information about vegetable gardening, proper tree selection/planting, ornamental plant care, etc., refer to researched and tested methods of gardening. Don’t fall for the ‘quick-fix’ that was promoted down the street. Don’t hesitate to question the scientific knowledge or the amount of testing that was done to come up with certain proposed mythologies you’re considering.
When searching online for vegetable gardening or ornamental landscape information your search line of Google or Bing should look like WSU vegetable gardening or WSU planting trees. Using Washington State University or Oregon State University plus the subject you wish to have more information about is also a way to engage with scientifically researched material. Be aware that information may be written for the west side of the state; you need to follow the researched guidelines for Eastern Washington. The Rose Society, Dahlia Society, and the Xerces Society (pollinators) are some other examples of quality sources to learn more about specific landscape subjects.
QUICK-FIX: Just add more compost to the soil.
TRUTH: Adding organic matter to soil in the form of compost helps to improve soil structure and promote long-term plant health, but adding too much compost at once or over time can lead to problems. If the soil organic matter is much higher than ideal (5 to 8 percent), the soil can have too much available phosphorus, which can stunt plant growth. Also, some composts can be high in salts, which can also impact plant growth. The general rule of thumb when adding compost to the soil in vegetable gardens or annual flower beds is to add no more than two to three inches of quality, low-in-salt compost to garden. The compost should be thoroughly incorporated into the top six to eight inches of soil before planting. Done annually, the level of organic matter in your soil will increase. To avoid excessive levels of organic matter, reduce the amount of compost you are adding to only one inch after three years or get a soil test to determine the level of organic matter in your soil. As with so many things in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. The same goes for compost.