09/20/2022
Tip Tuesday: How to find plant and gardening information you can trust
The internet is a fantastic place full of everything you’d ever hope to know BUT there can also be a lot of half truths and misinformation. So how do you know what you can trust and what you can’t?
First off, the end of a link can be your first indication if this is information you can take to the bank or if further investigation is needed. If the link ends in .edu or .gov you can rest assured that this information is going to be research based.
Secondly, look for those sources to be cited! We all had to do this in high school and college when we turned in a research paper to prove that we weren’t just making info up. Require this same degree of transparency when you are reading something about how to take care of your garden, soil, plants, harvesting, etc. There is no reason you can’t trust that random gardening blog as long as they are sharing research based information and providing the links to prove it!
Thirdly, when in doubt, reach out! Your local Master Gardeners are here to help you figure all of this out. We will never share advice with you that isn’t backed by research at the University level.
Utilize the .edu when you’re searching for plant information. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Are you curious about when to harvest your winter squash for example? Simply do an internet search of “when to harvest winter squash .edu” and University researched information will come up in your results. If you add the state you live in (ex: Oregon.edu) in your search, you’ll get links that OSU specifically has put out on the subject you’re looking for. It’s a fantastic way to make sure you are getting the most up-to-date, research backed information.
As for this picture posted below…behold the inspiration for this post. This is a prime example of false information packaged up in a pretty picture with a couple buzz words to grab your attention. The actual NASA study performed on various houseplants and the chemicals removed from the air doesn’t support the claims posted in this picture. In the NASA study, the spider plant was only tested in relation to the removal of formaldehyde and not the other chemicals listed. There was also never a percentage posted about how much formaldehyde it removed. This study was also done in a chamber to mimic how the plants would perform in a spacecraft; not in a household environment.
We have unfortunately seen this posted and shared across many different social media platforms. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If there is no link to back up these claims, that’s a huge red flag. Anytime you see a photo or information shared like this, look for their source! Where is this information coming from? It’s easy enough to search for the NASA study that proves this information incorrect. Here’s the study:https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930073077/downloads/19930073077.pdf
Some of these types of posts that get shared are mostly harmless but some that we’ve seen could absolutely be detrimental to your garden or to your soil long term which is why we are making this post.
Please, always look for sources to be cited and look for them to be from a .edu or .gov. This will potentially save you from making some major mistakes in your garden. Be safe out there!
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📸: photo editing done by MG Kelsey