Garden tips: fact or fiction?

Monday, 9 May 2005 12:00 AM

Many garden tips passed down through generations of gardeners are not backed up by scientific evidence, according to the Royal Horticultural Society.

Old wives' tales such as planting a single clove of garlic beside a rose will keep greenfly away, or planting marigolds in a flower and vegetable garden or a greenhouse can help to keep pests away do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

Despite this a survey by the RHS showed that 62 per cent and 86 per cent of gardeners respectively believed in the merits of these tips.

Generally though, gardeners proved adept at assessing the merits of old wives' tales, with 83 per cent correctly identifying that the liquid run-off from compost heaps, known as 'compost tea', is effective in keeping plants healthy.

Nearly two thirds believed that pouring tea dregs over houseplants should have a beneficial effect, while only a third falsely believed that seeds should be sown with a waxing, not a waning moon.

Guy Barter, head of the RHS Horticultural Advisory Service said: "Our quiz showed that gardeners usually show fairly good sense in assessing the virtue or otherwise of gardening myths. It is a pity that some myths gain widespread support, misleading gardeners into wasting their time and money on ineffective activities."

"While some of these homespun remedies can benefit plants because of the nutrients they deliver, for example, they're no real substitute for improving your soil with a fertiliser, well-rotted organic matter or composted bark.

"Efficient ways of controlling pests include introducing predators and parasites, choosing disease- and pest-resistant cultivars and rotating crops to control soil-dwelling diseases and pests such as nematodes."

Detailed verdicts from the RHS on which old wives' tales are fact, and which are fiction are available on the RHS website.

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