Gardening Myths and Misconceptions (Wise Words)

Although this is a tiny book, less than a hundred pages, it does a fine job of cutting through old gardener's tales to the truth about many aspects of gardening. The author is a well-respected organic gardener in Britain. He is distressed by the stories which circulate, purporting to be factual, and are really wrong-headed opinion. Every experienced gardener has heard many bits of advice which are wrong; this book collects some common ones and examines them one at a time. I have no reason to doubt the author's knowledge and certainly agree with many of his examples. The one disadvantage is that some of the myths are British; versions circulating in the United States are different.

Charles Dowding holds a wealth of gardening information. This book is packed with invaluable basics for new gardeners but clarification for those of us who may have thought we knew it all. Great read.

excellent book.

I've been experimenting with different methods for 20 years and for most of that time have followed the so called traditional way. But slowly I've been trying other methods. Last winter I covered all my beds with 3 or 4 inches of 18 month old muck and covered it. I uncovered my 10 beds in spring. I had about 3 weeds which I pulled out with my finger tips. I was able to sow seed and cover the beds with fleece. It took me half an hour.I had the rest of the day free for other things.It made me smile to see everyone else sweating and swearing at all the weeds they had to spend days digging out before even starting to sow.I grew the biggest parsnips and carrots I'd ever grown and all other vegetables thrived. Hardly any weeds grew either.In conclusion : I had better results for much less work.Charles Dowding's books are a gold mine of tried and tested methods. He has an easy reading style that is quick to absorb.I wholeheartedly recommended his books and he also has a brilliant YouTube site where you can see all this in action.Do yourself a favour and follow his advice. Less work and better plants. What's not to like?

Excellent little hardback book from the 'No Dig' specialist and gardening guru Charles Dowding. About 100 pages long, it debunks the folklore, myths and superstitions that many gardeners have been deluded into believing to be gospel. It's mainly aimed at vegetable growers, but it'll be of interest to anybody who enjoys gardening but wonders about the real truth which belies all that traditional hard work and slog...Written in a gentle, easy to read style, well laid out and delightfully illustrated in an old fashioned style, this book also has a marker ribbon to keep your place whether you prefer to dip in and out or if you want to refer back to a particular part.The common myths and misconceptions regarding Sowing and Planting, Watering, Veggie garden planning and design, Vegetables, Trees and shrubs, Manure and fertilisers, Compost making, Soil structure, Pests, diseases and weeds are all discussed and the myths surrounding them explained and in many instances debunked altogether.This book is a great little gift for any plot or allotment holder who's interested in growing their own veg, but a bit put off by all the old, often outdated advice that things absolutely "Have To Be Done A Certain Way."I've grown veggies for the house most of my life and I've often questioned some of the traditional practices - it was great to read from someone who also raised the same questions, done the science and laid much of the folklore to rest where it belongs and written about it in a sensible, pragmatic way.One of the clever things about this book is that it's a good intro to wanting to read more by this author. I haven't yet read any of Charles Dowding's other gardening books, but I will, as I like his take on things. This is a super little companion book, ideal for a grower, or anyone interested in gardening.

Really enjoyed this book which is written in an easy to read and digest manner. The other plot holders on the allotment frequently came out with many of the myths in the book until our harvest this year which, following a year of using Charles Dowding's approach, was earlier and better than they had expected. From now on, I will be referencing this book before listening to any "sage advice" from fellow, digging plot holders!

a brilliant book that should be read by all gardeners particularly some 'gardening celebrities' gardening myths have been handed down for generations and it is time for modern day thinking. The author is the only genuine organic gardener I know of because he tells it as it is and does not cherry pick to further the organic movement.. More importantly this book should be read by the soil association.

Definiteoy worth a read to dispel a lot of myths and cut fown on a lot of work in the garden! Very pleased I bought it and well worth the money.