Table of Contents

Preface

CRITICAL THINKING

The Myth of Absolute Science

The Myth of Indisputable Information

The Myth of Organic Superiority, Part I

The Myth of Organic Superiority, Part 2

UNDERSTANDING HOW PLANTS WORK

The Myth of Fragile Roots

--Pruning Flawed Woody Roots Before Transplanting

The Myth of Mighty Roots

The Myth of Top-Pruning Transplanted Material

The Myth of Tree Topping

How Big is Big?

The Myth of Hot-Weather Watering

HOW / WHAT / WHEN / WHERE TO PLANT

The Myth of Instant Landscaping

The Myth of Native Plant Superiority

--Going Native? Or Not?

The Myth of Well-behaved Ornamentals

The Myth of Plant Quality

--Choosing the Best Plants at the Nursery

The Myth of Drainage Materials in Containers

The Myth of Collapsing Root Balls

The Myth of Tree Staking

SOIL ADDITIVES

The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 1

The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 2

The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part 3

The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer, Part 1

The Myth of Phosphate Fertilizer, Part 2

The Myth of Beneficial Bonemeal

The Myth of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels

The Myth of Wandering Weedkiller

MULCHES

The Myth of Landscape Fabric

--Using Arborist Wood Chips for Weed Control

The Myth of Clean Compost

--How Does Mulching Reduce Pesticide and Fertilizer Use?

The Myth of Paper-Based Sheet Mulch

The Myth of Pretty Mulch

--Characteristics of an Ideal Landscape Mulch

MIRACLES IN A BAG / BOTTLE / BOX

The Myth of Compost Tea

The Myth of Compost Tea Revisited

The Myth of Mineral Magic

The Myth of Vitamin Shots

The Myth of Vitamin Stimulants

The Myth of Wound Dressings

Essential Garden Tools and Products

Index

Promotional Information

Addresses the most common myths and misconceptions that plague home gardeners and horticultural professionals.

About the Author

Linda Chalker-Scott is an extension urban horticulturist and associate professor at Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University. She is the Washington State editor of MasterGardener magazine and for six years she authored an online column,

Reviews

"Chalker-Scott is a one-woman Consumer Reports on gardening practices. Her book takes a look at what we think we know and what we've heard to be true, then holds it up against what research shows." (The Patriot News) "This groundbreaking book belongs in every gardener's library. Rather than pushing one viewpoint over another, the author brings a voice of reason to gardening without the usual hype." (BellaOnline) "A succinct and easy-to-navigate resource . . . . Chalker-Scott's instructions are clear enough for even a first-time gardener to follow." (The Bloomsbury Review) "This enjoyable book should find its way into the hands of almost every gardener. . . . Highly recommended for public libraries with gardeners ready to tackle the literature, as well as academic and special libraries with interests in horticulture and gardening." (Library Journal) "Chalker-Scott's approach is unique in that she speaks about gardening as a genuine expert—- with academic credentials—- who debunks numerous myths. . . . in a manner that is easy for us laypeople to understand and absorb. . . Her conclusions are good advice for all of us to follow." (Washington State Grange News) "In her first book she takes on common garden myths about fertilizer, mulch, transplanting, staking, compost tea, watering and many more potentially confusing topics. She skillfully debunks them with current research as well as her experience in extension horticulture." (Seattle Times) "The Informed Gardener is a thorough, well-written guide and is highly recommended to any gardening enthusiast." (Midwest Book Review) "An informative, helpful guide to sustainable landscaping, with valuable emphasis on cutting through many of the myths and misunderstandings that now surround this increasingly hot topic." (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) "[Linda Chalker-Scott's] book does great service in helping the urban gardener move past common practices that hinder instead of help, looking to nature itself as the ultimate teacher of truths." (Cascadia Weekly) "Linda Chalker-Scott is gardening's version of television's 'MythBusters.' Ok, so she isn't so keen on blowing things up, but she does use scientific research to explain why many traditional horticultural practices aren't suitable for urban landscapes." (Tacoma News)