Avoid These Common Gardening Myths

As gardening season picks up pace, so does the spread of bad advice. Many social media ‘experts’ and well-meaning friends offer gardening tips that initially sound helpful but can cause harm. Here are common myths and misconceptions that might seem logical but could ruin your garden and waste money.

Vinegar as a Weedkiller

Advice often suggests using vinegar as a ‘safe and natural’ weedkiller. Household vinegar acts only as a contact herbicide, burning leaves without affecting roots, so weeds usually return. Horticultural vinegar, with stronger acetic acid, is more effective but can damage soil and nearby plants. It also poses risks—wear gloves and goggles when using it.

Instead: Manually pull weeds and cover soil with 3-4 inches of organic mulch to prevent regrowth. Weed growth in mulch will be easy to remove. For cracking weeds between pavers, sprinkle baking soda on a dry day and let it sit. Don’t use baking soda in garden beds or lawns. Consider using a crevice weeding tool or a propane flame tool. Seal cracked areas with sand or sealant to prevent recurrence.

Wound Paint on Pruned Trees

Some advise applying wound paint to seal cuts on tree limbs. Trees naturally compartmentalize wounds, so sealants are often unnecessary. They may trap moisture and pathogens, causing decay. Light sealants should only be used on elm or oak trees pruned during their active season to discourage diseases like Dutch elm disease and oak wilt.

Instead: Use proper pruning techniques, prune at the correct times, and allow tree wounds to heal naturally.

Tilling Garden Beds Annually

Annual tilling may make beds look neat, but it can destroy beneficial microbes, kill earthworms, disrupt mycorrhizal fungi, damage soil structure, increase erosion, and bring weed seeds to the surface, ready to sprout. It may also reduce soil’s moisture retention.

Instead: Spread a 2-3 inch layer of compost over beds and allow it to integrate naturally. For new beds, cover areas with newspaper or cardboard, top with mulch or compost, and let it suppress grass and weeds into spring. If needed, use a broadfork to gently work in amendments like compost.

Light Daily Watering

Watering plants lightly daily addresses only surface soil, not root depth where it’s needed. This keeps roots near the surface.

Instead: Water deeply but less often to encourage root systems that can reach deeper moisture and withstand drought.

Landscape Fabric Under Garden Beds

Using barrier fabrics under garden beds fails to stop weeds long-term, creates tangled roots, restricts water and oxygen flow, and introduces microplastics as it degrades.

Instead: Use a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, like shredded bark or wood chips, and refresh as needed. Exception: Landscape fabric can work under paths or walkways as a barrier.

Jessica Damiano writes regular gardening columns for The Associated Press. She publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. Sign up for weekly gardening tips and advice.

For more gardening stories, visit AP Gardening.