Garden Club of Cape Coral | Common gardening misconceptions | Part 2
How can you be certain that the gardening information you find online or gather from family and friends is research-based, rather than unproven and worthy of scrutiny? As a continuation of my previous article on the topic, let’s explore a few assumptions regarding best gardening practices to determine their accuracy.
1. More is better when it comes to fertilizer.
I used to be of the mindset that if a little fertilizer does the trick, more will result in healthier, happier plants. Not true! Too much can hurt beneficial soil microorganisms, lead to sudden plant growth without sufficient root system development, weaken the plant, promote disease and invite pests. And, as if that weren’t enough, excess nitrogen and phosphorus can leach through the soil and end up in our waterways, feeding algal blooms.
When using fertilizer, apply according to label directions. If your plants are adapting well, question whether there is even a need. For example, unless they start showing signs of nutrient deficiencies, mature shrubs and trees seldom, if ever, need supplemental fertilization.
If you have any doubt about whether an issue is nutrient-related or due to some other cause, forward your concerns with pictures to Extgardener@leegov.com. A Lee County Master Gardener volunteer at the University of Florida Lee County Extension Office on Palm Beach Boulevard in Fort Myers will respond to your query.
2. Use crushed eggshells as a barrier to snail activity.
Research has shown that the sharpness of eggshells is not a deterrent to snail activity. If not eggshells, what else can we try to rid ourselves of those pesky gastropods?
Snails enjoy moist, humid conditions. If you take your trusty flashlight outside on one of our Florida summer evenings, you will be able to observe the critters in action as you weigh your control options.
Snails are always on the lookout for convenient, out-of the way places to lay low during the day. Therefore, a good first step to manage them would be to remove hiding places. You can also try copper bands around the base of susceptible plants; however, our Florida weather could easily cause the copper to oxidize and become inactive. What about diatomaceous earth? Not the best idea because the substance breaks down quickly in our humid climate. Snail baits can be an option. However, many baits can be toxic to pets and wildlife.
As a least toxic measure, you can lure the snails with beer or another attractive beverage in a rimmed plate buried to the level of the soil. Another option would be to pick them up (using gloves) and toss them into a combination of H2O/rubbing alcohol. Or, you can pick them up (again with gloves) and transport them elsewhere. No, not your neighbor’s yard. Keep in mind that if you don’t transport them a sufficient distance, their built-in “homing” system will more than likely guide them back to your landscape, slowly but surely.
3. Use sealer to cover wounds after pruning trees.
The use of sealers is not recommended as their application is not research-based. Rather than being beneficial, sealants are more likely to prove detrimental by trapping moisture, increasing the likelihood of rot and decay. Additionally, the petroleum-based chemicals found in many sealants can negatively affect the tree’s health.
When properly pruned, healthy trees will tend to a wound over time by compartmentalizing; that is, forming a callus of new bark around the wound. Improper pruning can prevent the wound from sealing adequately and weaken the structure of the tree. Therefore, make certain to research the correct way to make the cuts before pruning, and always use sharp, sterilized tools during the pruning process.
You are encouraged to contact your local extension office for clarification when in doubt about the accuracy of the gardening information you view online or receive by word of mouth. Another route would be to “askifas” at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/. You can also explore gardening topics at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.
Until next time…Happy Gardening!
Janetta Fox is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like us on our Facebook and Instagram.