Learn which gardening myths can be supported by science

Episode 144: Hits and Myths Retrospective (Part 1)

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a myth is a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone. There are lots of myths associated with nature and gardening. A popular one is that the woolly bear caterpillar can predict the winter weather. Another is that plants like companions. And if you are a fan of the Farmer’s Almanac, I suspect you’ve heard about planting by the phases of the moon.

Are these myths based on science or hearsay? While there is a lot of science behind the natural world, not everything has been studied to determine if something is true. There are lots of reasons for this as science can be expensive as only ‘high priority’ items tend to get funded. Thus, many ‘myths’ continue to get handed down across the generations.

This episode is the first part of a 3-part ‘retrospective’ on Hits and Myths. It is a compilation of previously aired short segments on this subject. We’ve compiled them here for easier listening.

The first segment will explore whether your garden would be more productive if you planted by the phases of the moon. You may have heard that crops grown for their flowers or fruit are best planted during the waxing half of the moon cycle, when the moon gets brighter each night (from new moon to full moon). On the other hand, crops grown for their roots and tubers should be planted during the waning half of the moon cycle, when there is less moonlight each night (from the full moon to the next new moon). Does this really matter?

Next, learn about the wooly bear caterpillar, which is considered a natural indicator for predicting winter weather. (A narrow orange band is said to signal a snowy winter, which a wide band suggests a mild one.) Is there any science behind this?

The third segment focuses on companion planting, the idea that crops will grow better next to other specific plants. I suspect you’ve heard of the three sisters (corn, planted with squash, and beans), or that basil should be planted with tomatoes, or the marigolds will fend off insects in a vegetable garden. There actually is some science behind some of these common ‘companions’, but not necessarily all of them.

The last segment in this episode goes into why these myths persist. Learn about what goes into confirming or dispelling a myth and why so many of them persist.

We hope this episode is a ‘hit’ with you as you learn more about the science associated with these ‘myths’.

Host: Jean Thomas

Guests: Deven Russ and Jean Thomas

Photo by: University of Maine

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski