Weeding Out Common Growing Myths

When learning about growing your own, there are many sources of good information, but also many myths. Let's nip some common growing myths in the bud.

Some folks have had gardens and orchards in their families for generations. Experience, knowledge, and wisdom have been handed down to them from the time they were small. However, if you are new to the scene, there's a chance you may have questions or need a little encouragement. Naturally, you are likely to turn to the most easily available resource: the Internet. Unfortunately, many of the answers found online are conflicting and unreliable.

One way to get the most authentic and reliable answer possible is to make sure the information you find is from a reputable source, like university extensions and experts who spend their time testing and researching the topic you're curious about. In the meantime...

Here are some facts to debunk common growing myths:

Myth #1: "A fruit tree will die after it has a bumper crop."

While some fruit trees might rest the year following a bumper crop ("biennial bearing"), the act of producing a bumper crop does not mean a tree's demise. In fact, this natural rest period helps the tree to recuperate and store nutrients needed for fruit production so that it may continue to live and produce in future years.

Bumper crops can lead to fruit drop and other issues, so read about how to avoid overbearing and related issues in our article about thinning fruit trees.

4 Benefits of Thinning Fruit Trees Thinning fruit trees may seem counterproductive, but here are four reasons why thinning out fruit benefits you, your trees, and your fruit harvest.

Myth #2: "Using more fertilizer means more flowers and fruit."

Most fertilizers are high in Nitrogen, which encourages vegetative growth (branches and leaves) but can actually take away from blossom/fruit production. Therefore, only fertilize as needed. Over-fertilizing is not encouraged.

Read more about responsible fertilizer use and when to stop fertilizing.

When to Stop Fertilizing & Why If you need to know when to start fertilizing and how much to use, check the package label. Here's our recommendation for when to stop fertilizing and why.

Myth #3: "Cross-pollinating trees yield a mixed fruit."

Most fruit and nut trees require cross-pollination to fruit. However, characteristics from cross-pollination would occur in the seeds of the fruit, not the immediate fruit itself. If you planted a seed from a cross-pollinated tree's fruit, the tree that would grow from the seed would eventually bear the mixed fruit.

This is why, if you plant a Honeycrisp apple's seed (for example), you won't be growing a Honeycrisp apple tree. Just an offspring/relative of Honeycrisp.

To learn more about seedlings and their differences from true-to-name trees, check out our article, The Science of Grafting.

The Science of Grafted Fruit Trees There are vast differences between grafted fruit trees and seed-grown fruit trees. Learn why you don't get true-to-name fruit by planting seeds.

Myth #4: "Pruned trees take longer to grow."

Pruning actually encourages growth. The pruning process reduces weak, "leggy" growth that is not structurally beneficial and helps create a balance between fruiting wood and vegetative wood, so that you can avoid these potential issues:

Too much fruiting wood — not enough vegetative wood to absorb nutrients and support numerous fruit.
Too much vegetative wood — not enough fruiting wood to be a productive fruit tree

Find out more about how pruning creates balance and encourages growth in our articles, which also feature helpful videos.

Thumbnail of terry adding limb spreaders to apple tree. Click to play 5 Easy Steps to Pruning an Apple Tree.

How To Prune An Apple Tree: Step by Step - With Video

Apple Tree Pruning Scaffold Limbs of Central Leader

Pruning Fruit Trees: Central Leader

Pruning Fruit Trees: Open Center

Myth #5: "Blackberry plants should never be planted near raspberry plants."

Regarding raspberry mosaic virus, this myth is the result of confusion between blackberry and black raspberry plants. Blackberries are low-risk for contracting mosaic virus; however, black raspberries should not be planted within 75-100 feet of any other raspberry plants. This is because black raspberry plants can be more susceptible to viral diseases carried by aphids and may pose a risk to neighboring raspberry plants.

Myth #6: "Trees that receive the same care should grow the same."

Trees, like people, are unique and should be treated and cared for individually. Trees of the same type or age that are planted at the same time may grow at different rates. This is normal! Another thing to keep in mind is that no two planting locations — not even in the same yard — are identical.

Soil elements can have a different composition from one spot to another and drainage may vary. It is highly recommended that you become familiar with your soil prior to planting. A great place to start is your local county's Cooperative Extension Office. This is an excellent resource that will be able to run a soil test on a sample of your soil, usually for a minimal fee.

Learn more about how to create and maintain healthy soil.

Soil Health

The Importance of Soil Testing

You might have heard some of these gardening and growing myths, too, so hopefully this article has helped to ease your mind and put them to rest. What are some other gardening/growing myths you've found?

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