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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 2018)
20 Wednesday, March 14, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon The truth behind six gardening myths By Kym Pokorny Oregon State University Extension Service CORVALLIS – As the gar- dening season gears up, it’s time to bust some myths. How many times have you heard that leaving grass clip- pings on the lawn will pro- mote thatch buildup? Have you been told to add gravel to the bottom of a plant con- tainer to improve drainage? Well, guess what? Neither of those is true. With all the information out there, some of it’s bound to be wrong. Myths tend to stick around, no matter how many times they’re corrected. Oregon State University Extension experts are out to change that. Once you know the truth, pass it on. Myth: You should seal wounds on trees. Reality: Unlike humans who regenerate the cells in their body billions of times during the average lifespan, trees have developed another strategy entirely. When new cells form over a wound, humans heal. Trees do not heal but seal. There are a series of biological walls that begin to form when a tree is wounded that do not allow pathogens to spread by com- partmentalizing the wound site. That’s why if you have ever split firewood you often will see the discolored tis- sue of a wound, surrounded by completely healthy tissue. So, it’s best not to seal a tree wound, which can inhibit the healing of the tree’s wound and allow disease and insects to enter. Myth: Grass clippings cause thatch. Reality: Clippings don’t cause thatch, thatch is caused by lateral growth of the grass – more specifically, by rhizomes, which are the below-ground lateral growth, and stolons, the above- ground lateral growth. Turf like creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass produce rhizomes and stolons. The dominant lawn grass in the Willamette Valley is peren- nial ryegrass, which does not produce rhizomes or stolons and therefore does not accu- mulate excessive amounts of thatch. Returning your grass clippings when mowing will actually make grass greener, because you are recycling essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium back into the soil. Myth: Itʼs a good idea to add gravel to the bottom of plant containers to improve drainage. Reality: This practice in fact does the opposite and makes the soil more water- logged. Instead, make sure your pots have drainage holes and use high-quality potting media specific to your needs. Mixes with smaller particles and high components of ver- miculite, peat or compost will hold water better for your water-loving plants than a mix with larger particles such as bark, which will have more drainage for those plants that don’t like wet feet. Myth: Drought-tolerant plants never need irrigation. Reality: A drought-toler- ant plants is one that, when established, would require no supplemental water and will still grow and flower normally. It would get by on what falls from the sky. If you are considering native plants for the garden, then most of the native plants of Oregon (streamside or wetland plants excepted, of course) would fit that definition. Many HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/FBX9RV Adding gravel to the bottom of a plant container doesn’t improve drainage. non-native plants may also be grown without supple- mental irrigation. However, all these plants will at least require irrigation to get established. If planted in the spring, they may require irri- gation at planting and peri- odically through the first summer. In mild areas such as western Oregon, the best way to establish drought-tol- erant plants is to plant them in the fall and water until it starts to rain. This will get a truly drought-tolerant plant established by the following summer. Myth: Coffee grounds in the soil will help my plants grow better. Realty: Coffee grounds may benefit some plants (as they break down they add some great organic by prod- ucts), but in many cases they don’t help and might harm the plant. Use coffee grounds sparingly around plants or in your compost pile if wanting to recycle them. Mix them with another organic product if using it as a topical mulch. Also, coffee grounds will always create an acidic envi- ronment in the soil. Research shows that coffee grounds may increase or decrease soil pH and that this change may be short lived. Do not depend on spent coffee grounds to keep a lower soil pH (more acidic soil). You would be better off using elemental sulfur if the goal is to consis- tently keep a lower soil pH. HCD Compost Spring planting season is just around the corner. Central Oregon soils are naturally poor in quality and lack organic matter. That’s a problem for gar- deners — but fortunately there’s a solution. And it’s a handy one, too. High Country Disposal offers compost sales from our sister company, Deschutes Recycling. Soils amended with our compost will provide the benefits of water retention and nutrients needed to help your plants and garden grow. Quality compost can make all the difference in making your garden a success. High Country Disposal compost is tested with the U.S. Composting Council to ensure quality and reliability. Compost is available in bulk, or if VOHS CAN BRING YOUR “Landscape Dreams” TO REALITY! LANDSCAPING OF ALL KINDS plus Irrigation Design & Installation, Fencing, and Bobcat Services Our expertise in Central Oregon turf grass results in a stronger, healthier lawn with fewer weeds and hardier growth. 541-515-8462 • vohslandscaping.com Over 25 years experience. | CCB# 188594 | LCB#9264 HIRING MULTIPLE POSITIONS FOR 2018 SEASON you only need a small amount, we have individual bags too. Convenient delivery is available. Make your garden thrive like never before this season. 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Ryan Vohs, a longtime resident of Sisters, is welcoming people with an interest in doing fulfill- ing work on Sisters’ most beautiful landscapes to join the Vohs Custom Landscaping team.
