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Conventional wisdom is difficult to question, even when it is misguided and contains many contradictions.Should you water in the evening? Do containers need pottery shards for drainage? Can cucumbers and tomatoes be grown together? Gardening has its share of such 'myths' - some with discernible origins in history, others that have become established for no obvious reason - and they often obscure simpler and easier methods of working.
Asking why gardeners are always told to do things a certain way, Charles Dowding clears up common garden misconceptions in this delightfully illustrated book. Wise words from a thoughtful practitioner, Charles reveals how common-sense triumphs and crops are more successful when these 'rules' are overturned.
Gardening Myths and Misconceptions is a fascinating but practical book that will save the seasoned gardener time and give new gardeners heart.
List of contents
Introduction
1. A web of myths and misconceptions
2. Sowing and planting
3. Watering
4. Vegetable garden planning and design
5. Annual vegetables
6. Trees, shrubs and perennial vegetables
7. Manuring and fertilising
8. Making and using compost
9. Soil structure and care
10. Pest, diseases and weeds
Index
About the author
Charles Dowding is an internationally recognised organic gardening expert, and a former winner of the Garden Media Guild Practical Journalist of the Year award. He contributes articles to many magazines, including Gardeners’ World, Gardens Illustrated and Grow It!, talks on radio and television, and runs courses and advises on best practice, including for the National Trust in the UK.
Charles is a veteran organic grower, having practised no-dig gardening for many years. In his gardens he has conducted experiments to compare differences in growth between vegetables on dug and undug soil, showing that the dug beds have slightly lower yields, and more weeds and slugs. He established a new garden from scratch, to illustrate no-dig practice and form the basis for further experimentation.
