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Garden Folklore and Myths That Are Actually True

Gardening is filled with age-old wisdom passed down through generations. Whether it’s about planting on certain days or using quirky natural remedies, garden folklore has shaped how we approach growing plants. Some of these “myths” are based in truth and backed by nature, while others are more fun and superstitious than scientifically proven.

In this post, I’m diving into some common garden myths and folklore that actually have some truth behind them. Whether you believe in them or not, I think they’re fun to explore, and they might even surprise you with how much sense they make!

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Garden Folklore That’s Actually True!

From the depths of the internet, gardening books, and passed down wisdom, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite helpful tips that are rooted in folklore.

1. “Plant Corn When the Oak Leaves Are the Size of a Squirrel’s Ear”

Planting corn when the oak leaves are the size of a squirrels ear actually makes a lot of sense! This aligns with planting corn after your first frost-free date, right about when the oak leaves are starting to grow.

So, while it’s not an exact science, it gives gardeners a natural marker to help time their planting right. Keep an eye on the oak trees in your area—if their leaves are the right size, it might just be the perfect time to plant your corn!

gardener bending down to tend to corn with an oak tree nearby. in watercolor style

2. “It’s Time To Plant When You Can Sit on Your Soil Without Pants and Not Get Cold”

This quirky myth is another fun one that seems to have a bit of truth. The idea is that when the soil temperature reaches around 60°F, you should be able to sit on it without getting cold. It’s one of those old gardening tricks used to determine when it’s warm enough to plant.

While I’m not sure I would recommend sitting in your garden without pants on, the core idea—that soil temperatures need to be warm enough for planting—is absolutely true. Wait for that 60°F mark, and your soil will be ready to support new growth.

gardener sitting on ground in watercolor style

3. “Nothing Grows Under a Walnut Tree”

This myth is actually rooted in science. Black walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone, which is toxic to many plants. This chemical prevents other plants from growing too close to the walnut tree, creating a sort of “natural protection” for the walnut itself.

So, if you’ve ever tried to grow anything under a walnut tree and had no luck, it’s not just you—it’s the juglone doing its thing. While some plants may tolerate the chemical, it’s best to avoid planting directly under a walnut tree.

tree in water color style

4. “A Bowl of Beer Will Attract and Drown Snails and Slugs”

This one is pretty well-known, and it actually works! A bowl of beer can attract snails and slugs, causing them to drown. The yeast in beer is irresistible to these pests, and once they climb in, they’re stuck.

Interestingly, you don’t even need to use beer. Other food scraps, like grapefruit or banana peels, can attract slugs and snails too. If you’re dealing with these garden pests, it might be worth giving this trick a try. Just remember to replace the beer or food scraps regularly to keep things working effectively.

beer and a slug in the garden in watercolor style

5. “Bury Nails or Hairpins Around Your Hydrangeas to Turn Them Blue”

This one is a bit unusual, but it’s based on the idea that iron or aluminum sulfate in the soil will turn hydrangea flowers blue. People used to bury nails, hairpins, or even razor blades in the soil around their hydrangeas, and the rust from these items would affect the soil’s pH, making it more acidic.

While it’s true that rust can add iron to the soil, it’s not necessary to bury metal objects to achieve this effect. You can simply use iron supplements or acidic fertilizers to accomplish the same result. But if you like the idea of a little garden alchemy, burying nails could still be a fun and quirky way to experiment, just be careful!

blue hydrangea flower in watercolor style

6. “Coffee Grounds Are Great for Azaleas”

Turns out, this one is also scientifically backed. Azaleas thrive in acidic soil, and coffee grounds are naturally acidic, making them an excellent addition to your soil. Several studies have confirmed that adding coffee grounds can help lower the pH of the soil, making it more suitable for acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons.

Just make sure to use spent coffee grounds rather than fresh ones, as fresh grounds can be too strong and may inhibit plant growth. Mixing coffee grounds into your compost is a great way to give your azaleas some extra love. Many Starbucks even give away their grounds to gardeners for free if you ask!

gardener tending to pink azaleas in watercolor style

7. “Ponderosa Pine Needles Make Soil More Acidic”

A common myth is that pine needles will make your soil more acidic, which is partly true. Fresh pine needles are acidic when they fall, but as they decompose, they become more neutral. This means that while pine needles provide excellent mulch, they won’t have a long-lasting impact on your soil’s acidity unless they’re broken down quickly.

So, while you can use pine needles as mulch, don’t rely on them to drastically change the pH of your soil. If you’re aiming for more acidic conditions for plants like blueberries, you might need to supplement with a proper acidic fertilizer.

pine tree in watercolor style

8. “Singing or Talking to Your Plants Helps Them Grow”

This one is a bit more controversial, but some studies have shown that plants might respond to vibrations, which can be caused by sound. Myth Busters confirmed that heavy metal music produced the best results!

Others say its the carbon dioxide release that encourages plants to convert it to oxygen, producing more growth. While there’s no concrete evidence that talking or singing directly to your plants helps them grow, the act of being around your plants and paying attention to them could certainly foster a stronger connection between you and your garden.

Whether or not plants “hear” you, your presence and care matter. If talking to your plants helps you stay engaged and motivated, I say go for it!

gardener singing to plants in watercolor style

Use These Garden Folklore Tips at Home!

It’s always fun to dive into garden folklore and see what actually holds true. Many myths have been passed down through generations, and as it turns out, some of them are based on sound gardening principles. While not every old wives’ tale has scientific backing, many of them provide valuable lessons grounded in nature.

If you have any garden myths that you swear by, I’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or in our Facebook group, and let’s keep the conversation going.

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About the Author:

I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!

Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.

I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!

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