Gardening Superstitions

When you grow up around gardening activities you're sure to internalize a few old wives tales. Some of them are backed up by science, but most are just taken on faith and passed along from one generation to the next without any reason or explanation. Here are a few.

If you want a plant cutting to root successfully and thrive, especially if it is a rose, you have to steal it.

If a fruit tree has been barren for a few years in a row, bring an ax early in spring and threaten to cut it down. It will see the error of its ways and bear abundantly come harvest time.

You're supposed to curse herbs to make them thrive.

Don't bring primroses indoors unless they have more than thirteen flowers, it's supposed to be really bad luck.

If you wash your face with dew, it will render your skin flawless and make you beautiful.

Plant lavender by the garden gate for luck. If sage thrives in your garden, you will be blessed with prosperity. Rain in May portends an abundant corn harvest. Talking to plants will keep them healthy and make them grow faster.

If it rains with sunshine, blackspot is sure to follow. This is a little bit true, because sunshine and a moist environment does encourage the development of the fungus.

Also a good reason not to water while the sun is high up in the sky.

Nothing grows under walnut trees. This is actually true; walnut tree roots secrete their own special brand of herbicide to fend off competition for water and nutrients.