Planting Myths
UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Carol Reese gives some common planting myths and corrects them.
Myth: Soil amendments are necessary. Fact: Often adding amendments changes the soil structure and may not help the plant. If you add amendments, do it to the whole area around the plant, not just the planting hole
Myth: Add hormones and root stimulator. Fact: There is no scientific evidence that they help. Also, don’t fertilize woody plants for at least the first year.
Myth: Container plants are better than ball and burlap plants. Fact: Container plants have problems with girdling roots.
Myth: You can leave the burlap on the root ball. Fact: You want the roots to get in contact with the native soil as fast as possible so take off all the burlap, wire, etc. Those things will hinder plant growth.
Myth: Ball and burlap can only be planted when the plant is dormant. Fact: You can plant anytime but be aware of the higher water requirements in the active growing season especially in the summer.
Myth: With ball and burlap, keep the soil together. Fact: Removing all the nursery soil from the root ball has been shown to cause faster plant recovery.
Myth: Mulching with raw wood chips steals nutrients from the soil. Fact: Raw wood chips do not rob the soil of nutrients from mature plants. It can be a bad idea of you till it in around young plants.
Myth: You must fertilize your shrubs. Fact: You don’t need to fertilize woody plants. They live just fine in the forest with no help.
Myth: Manure is a great fertilizer for all plants. Fact: Manure is alkaline. Acid loving plants do not like it because it makes the soil too basic. Research your plant before using it.
Myth: Compost tea is great. Fact: How can diluted compost work better than full strength compost?
Myth: Some plants keep mosquitoes away. Fact: Mosquitoes do not avoid plants. For example, they will land on citronella with no harm.
Related Videos:
Planting Vegetable Seeds
Planting a Tree
Related Resources:
Planting Shrubs Correctly
Planting Landscape Trees and Shrubs
Planting Trees Correctly
Myth: Soil amendments are necessary. Fact: Often adding amendments changes the soil structure and may not help the plant. If you add amendments, do it to the whole area around the plant, not just the planting hole
Myth: Add hormones and root stimulator. Fact: There is no scientific evidence that they help. Also, don’t fertilize woody plants for at least the first year.
Myth: Container plants are better than ball and burlap plants. Fact: Container plants have problems with girdling roots.
Myth: You can leave the burlap on the root ball. Fact: You want the roots to get in contact with the native soil as fast as possible so take off all the burlap, wire, etc. Those things will hinder plant growth.
Myth: Ball and burlap can only be planted when the plant is dormant. Fact: You can plant anytime but be aware of the higher water requirements in the active growing season especially in the summer.
Myth: With ball and burlap, keep the soil together. Fact: Removing all the nursery soil from the root ball has been shown to cause faster plant recovery.
Myth: Mulching with raw wood chips steals nutrients from the soil. Fact: Raw wood chips do not rob the soil of nutrients from mature plants. It can be a bad idea of you till it in around young plants.
Myth: You must fertilize your shrubs. Fact: You don’t need to fertilize woody plants. They live just fine in the forest with no help.
Myth: Manure is a great fertilizer for all plants. Fact: Manure is alkaline. Acid loving plants do not like it because it makes the soil too basic. Research your plant before using it.
Myth: Compost tea is great. Fact: How can diluted compost work better than full strength compost?
Myth: Some plants keep mosquitoes away. Fact: Mosquitoes do not avoid plants. For example, they will land on citronella with no harm.
Related Videos:
Planting Vegetable Seeds
Planting a Tree
Related Resources:
Planting Shrubs Correctly
Planting Landscape Trees and Shrubs
Planting Trees Correctly