Horticultural Zombies - Consider them Dispatched!

Saturday, January 25, 2020 we welcomed Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott to the Arboretum for our annual winter lecture! As the go-to garden myth buster well known for dispatching all sorts of tall-tales and theories with research and science, we were very excited to hear what she would be covering! 

While you really had to be there to get the full effect, here's a quick summary of the important points Dr. Chalker-Scott covered during her lecture; There IS a difference between science-based information and popular or trendy information. When evaluating resources always use the 'CRAP' test:

• Credibility
• Relevance
• Accuracy
• Purpose

Dr. Chalker-Scott then took us through various topics and how to use the 'CRAP' test to evaluate each claim. Some of those topics included balanced fertilizers, the superiority of organic products, lasagna mulching, the use of epsom salts in the garden and much more. We are sharing resources from Dr. Chalker-Scott if you'd like to find more information and follow her work:  
Fact sheets relevant to this presentation:
Epsom salt – https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/epsom-salt-use-in-home-gardens-and-landscapes
Mycorrhizae -https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/a-gardeners-primer-to-mycorrhizae-understanding-how-they-work-and-learning-how-to-protect-them-home-garden-series
Native vs. nonnative plants-https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/are-native-trees-and-shrubs-better-choices-for-wildlife-in-home-landscapes
Scientific literacy -https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/scientific-literacy-for-the-citizen-scientist
Wood chip mulches -https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/using-arborist-wood-chips-as-a-landscape-mulch-home-garden-series

​Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist
Email: lindacs@wsu.edu
URL: http://www.theinformedgardener.com (white papers on many of these myths)
Blog: http//www.gardenprofessors.com
Books: http//www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com
Facebookpage: http://www.facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors
​Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GardenProfessors/
WSU Extension publications: http://gardening.wsu.edu/(peer-reviewed fact sheets)