D V DV

By Dan Vierria Garden Jabber

true. Ants are attracted by the bud’s sweet secretions and have no blooming superpowers.

Planting a bare butt on soil to test for the perfect temperature is a classic farmer’s tale. If the soil feels “comfortable” and neighbors have not called the police, time to plant! If you must test with a bare behind, get a second opinion from a more reliable soil thermometer.

The late Jerry Baker, a PBS regular during Sacramento KVIE pledge drives, insisted beer, mouthwash and baby shampoo solved garden problems. His homemade tonics, like Buzz Buster Lemonade for pesky mosquitoes, were hailed as genius or quackery. Personally, I can think of better uses for beer than an active ingredient in homebrewed pesticides.

Baker authored several books, including “Talk to Your Plants.” I know serious gardeners who believe talking to plants can perform miracles. Not saying it works. Am saying a few bizarre practices may have a shred of truth—or dumb luck. An overwhelming majority are bogus.

Winter storms toppled too many drought-stressed trees in Sacramento. When replacing trees in our neighborhoods this spring, avoid the myths. Don’t add soil amendments to the planting hole. That’s a myth. Backfill with the native soil you removed to dig the hole.

Adding amendments, like peat moss and compost, may sound beneficial, but scientific studies show it can cause drainage and nutrient problems. Incorporating amendments in a heavy clay soil tree-planting hole can cause what is sometimes called the “bathtub effect.” The amended hole holds water and triggers root rot.

Once the new tree is planted in native soil, spread an organic mulch on the soil surface. It will decompose and improve the surrounding soil.

When shopping for replacements, look for trees in smaller containers, like 5- or 10-gallon. The myth is the larger the tree, the faster and healthier it will grow. That’s a big nope. Larger trees, which cost more, are often out of balance with more top growth than the root ball can handle. Smaller trees will likely grow faster and suffer less from stress.

It’s a common belief that root systems penetrate deep into the soil. Wrong. Scientific research has proven 90% of tree roots are no deeper than 18 inches. Roots can extend outward as much as twice the height of the tree! So be careful digging around trees and ensure irrigation reaches to the end of the canopy and beyond.