9 Gardening Myths That You (Probably) Didn’t Know Are Wrong
If you’ve ever heard a piece of gardening advice that you thought would fix all of your garden’s problems, only for it to do nothing or cause more harm, you’re not alone. Gardening is full of passed-down wisdom, and some of it, frankly, doesn’t hold water (literally or figuratively). For a long time, I followed all kinds of advice without question because they sounded right. But once I started digging deeper (pun intended), I realized a lot of them were doing more harm than good. So let’s talk about a few specific gardening myths that you might not know are wrong. My goal isn’t to make you second-guess everything, it’s to help you garden with a little more confidence and hopefully clear up some confusion.
Water in the Afternoon and You’ll Fry Your Plants
You’ve probably heard the idea that watering in the afternoon, especially under strong sun, will scorch your plants. The truth? That’s not really how it works. Water droplets, despite what you may have been told, don’t act like magnifying glasses. Sure, watering in the morning is usually best because it gives plants time to absorb water before the heat kicks in, and it helps prevent mildew overnight. But if it’s hot and dry and your garden is drooping at 2 PM, water it! Your plants would rather have a drink than wait and stick to your schedule.
If It’s Organic, You Can’t Overdo It
The word “organic” makes things feel harmless. But even compost or organic fertilizer can be too much of a good thing. Overusing them can overload your soil with nutrients and actually harm your plants. Ever seen tomatoes with blackened bottoms? That’s blossom end rot, often caused by inconsistent calcium uptake, not a lack of it. And dumping more stuff into the soil doesn’t always help. Gardening is about maintaining a delicate balance. Organic fertilizers are fantastic tools, but they’re not everything. Think of them as seasoning, not the whole meal. A little goes a long way.
Drought-Tolerant Plants Don’t Need Watering
This one trips up a lot of people. Yes, drought-tolerant plants can survive dry spells better than other plants, but that doesn’t mean they prefer it. Especially during their first year, they need regular watering to develop those deep, hardy roots that will help them survive later on. Just like any plant, let your drought-tolerant plants get established before you start skipping waterings. Once they’re settled in, they’ll be far less needy, but they do need a little TLC in the beginning.
Coffee Grounds Are Great for All Plants
Coffee grounds are often touted as a magic soil fixer, fertilizer, and even pest repellent. While they can be useful when used in moderation, they aren’t right for every plant. Used grounds are acidic, and some plants don’t love that as much as others. They can also form a compacted layer that repels water from your soil if applied too thickly. Plus, too much nitrogen from the grounds can throw off your soil balance. If you want to recycle your coffee waste in your garden, it’s a better idea to compost it first. That way it breaks down safely and feeds your soil instead of smothering it.
Pinching Off Vegetable Flowers Makes Them Grow More Leaves
You might’ve been told to pinch the flowers off your peppers or squash when they first appear so the plant can “focus on growing.” But that’s not always helpful. Plants like peppers and beans are quite good at managing their energy, so early flowers don’t drain them. Instead, they often signal that the plant is doing well. In fact, too much pinching can delay fruiting or stress the plant. Unless your seed packet says to remove early buds (like some varieties do), let nature do its thing. Your veggies know what they’re doing.
Topping a Tree Makes It Healthier and Encourages Growth
This myth is especially damaging. “Topping” a tree, meaning cutting large branches back to stubs, is often done to control the size of a tree. But it actually weakens the tree. It creates ugly, unstable growth, exposes the tree to disease, and even shortens its lifespan. If you need to reduce a tree’s size or want to shape it, it’s better to do selective pruning with a clear goal in mind. And remember to always work with the tree’s natural structure. Or, hire a certified arborist who knows how to thin branches without damaging the whole tree. You might feel like you’re giving your trees a fresh start, but in reality it can do some real damage.
You Can Use Dish Soap as a Safe, Homemade Pesticide
Recipes for homemade pest sprays using dish soap are everywhere online. But here’s the catch: modern dish soaps often contain degreasers, antibacterial agents, and synthetic fragrances that can harm plants. Unlike pure insecticidal soaps, which are formulated to be gentle on plants, your kitchen soap might strip the protective coating off leaves or cause burns. If you want a better DIY solution, use pure Castile soap or buy a proper horticultural soap. It might cost a little more, but it saves your plants from unintended damage.
Weed Barrier Fabric Keeps Weeds Out for Good
The name alone makes it sound like a perfect cure for weeds, but weed barrier fabric is really just a short-term fix that creates long-term headaches. Over time, soil and organic matter build up on top of it, and weeds start growing there anyway. Meanwhile, your soil underneath can turn compacted and lifeless because it’s hard for water and air to get through. And if you ever want to plant something new, pulling that fabric up is a nightmare. A thick layer of mulch is the better option. It smothers weeds, feeds the soil, and you won’t break your back pulling it up down the line.
Dead Plants Mean You Did Something Wrong
Here’s the truth: if you garden for long enough, you’re going to kill some plants. It doesn’t mean you’re bad at it, it just means you’re learning. Some plants just aren’t a good fit for the conditions in your space, no matter how pretty they looked at the nursery. Sometimes the weather throws a curveball, or you miss a watering, or a fungus shows up out of nowhere. Part of gardening is making peace with a bit of failure. But it doesn’t mean you should give up. Try again, try something new, and keep growing. The only way to fail is if you give up.
Did You Fall For Any Of These Myths?
The longer you garden, the more you realize it’s less about following rules and more about learning what works for you. Some of the most common advice can be the most misleading, but that’s not your fault. You were just trying to do right by your plants. We all start somewhere, and the garden is a forgiving place to make mistakes. When something doesn’t work, you’ll always have another season to try again. So if you’ve believed any of these myths, don’t worry. So did I. But now you know a little better, and your plants will thank you for it. Think critically and keep growing!