Tips from a master gardener

On Thursday, Oct. 15, the Moriches Bay Garden Club met at the Center Moriches Library for a presentation on “The Truth About Garden Myths.”  Susan King was our speaker.  She is a master gardener through Cornell Cooperative Extension and has her own business designing gardens and speaking to garden clubs.  Some of our members are master gardeners, others have been gardening for decades. Still others are new to gardening, but all were surprised to find that some of the things they have known for years were myths.

For example: The best time to plant trees is in early spring.  Is this true or a myth? It is a myth.  The best time to plant trees is in the fall.  This gives the tree time to get established before the warm weather of the spring/summer growing season.

Add coffee grounds to your soil to increase acidity.  Is this true or a myth? It is a myth.  When making coffee most of the acidity goes into the liquid (your coffee).  So, the grounds will not raise the acidity in your soil. 

Oak trees have mast years.  Is this true or a myth?  It is true.  By mast years, we mean a bumper crop of acorns.  Some years an oak tree will produce many more acorns than animals could possibly eat, ensuring that there will be enough acorns left to make new oak trees.

Put rocks in the bottom of a flowerpot for good drainage.  Is this true or a myth? It is another myth.  You want the roots of your plant to be in the healthy soil, not in the rocks where they won’t get the nourishment they need.  This one was a big surprise to me. 

Wood chips are the best mulch for trees.  Is this true or a myth?  This one is true.  Wood chips are the best mulch for trees.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Center Moriches Library, at 1 p.m.  Our member Sheri will be teaching us how to make beautiful holidays bows, and our member Diane will be demonstrating a floral design.  We will be taking notes, so we will be able to make a similar design for our flower show next year.

You are welcome to join us at any of our meetings.  If you would like to come or have any questions, please contact Patti, 631 838-6656, or email beachbaby4894@gmail.com