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More gardening myths, truths

One of my favourite things about penning this column is you, the reader.

One of my favourite things about penning this column is you, the reader. In the dark days of winter, as I sit in front of a blank screen wondering who the heck is thinking about gardening other than me and who wants to read a garden column in February, you fill up my inbox with your encouragement and personal stories and knowledge. Thank you.

The article about garden myths touched a lot of people. Here are a few more you may or may not be aware of.

Myth: Newly planted trees need to be staked or wired.

Reality: The practice of staking trees was once a landscape-industry standard but if you are a home gardener, you probably don't need to be staking your trees.

Staking a tree can hinder its proper development. If you plant a tree properly, allowing the tree to naturally move in the wind and rain actually encourages development of a strong stabilizing root system. Sometimes a staked tree can become dependant on the support of the stakes, and the roots will become weak and unstable.

Occasionally it is necessary to stake new trees, usually if the tree is planted in a windy or sloped site with poor soil quality. If your situation deems it necessary to stake a tree, tie the trunk loosely to the stake using fabric or soft rubber to avoid hurting the tree's bark. Remove the stake/support after one full growing season.

Myth: Drought-tolerant plants do not need to be watered.

Reality: I have a lot of clients asking for low-maintenance, no-maintenance gardens. Unless you have an irrigation system and a full-time gardener, there will always be some maintenance and some irrigation necessary.

Of course, choosing the right plants for the right place is your best bet with difficult sites but ALL plants need to be watered to become established. Two of my favourite drought-tolerant plants are Perovskia and Rudbeckia (Russian sage and black-eyed susan).

It usually takes about one season of supplemental watering and care to establish plants. This means they are NOT drought tolerant in their first year of growth. After the first year, these hardworking plants are generally able to fend for themselves and are tough, no-fuss choices for a low-maintenance garden.

Myth: "Natural" or organic pesticides are less toxic than synthetic ones.

Reality: Some natural, plant-based remedies are a better choice than their more toxic synthetic neighbours, but natural or organic pesticides are toxic. In fact, some botanical pesticides are made up of poisonous plants and are even more toxic than commercially available selections.

Pyrethrum, which is made from chrysanthemums, has an active ingredient that works on the nervous system to cause paralysis and (when used in large quantities) death. It is known that cats are very susceptible to this poison. Despite its claims of being "all natural," it is toxic to people and pets when handled improperly.

Whenever possible, choose the least toxic control available. Use good Integrated Pest Management skills to try and help a diseased plant before you resort to any type of pesticide. Pesticides cannot remedy mistakes made in plant installation, selection or maintenance.

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