Gardening Summer gardening myths busted

Horticulturist and Victa ambassador ADAM WOODHAMS clears up common yardwork fact and fiction

LEAVE THE GRASS LENGTH LONGER IN SUMMER

“Cutting the grass too short, especially in warmer weather, creates scalped spots and it leaves the runners and roots more vulnerable to damage from the heat,” says Adam. “This then leads to patchy spots creating the ideal situation for lawn weeds to grow.”

GRASS CLIPPINGS SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE LAWN

This depends ono your mower equipment. “Quality, modernmode mowers feature mulchmowingmowing techntechnology. This cuts grass to a super-fine state and blows it back into the turf thatch. Hehere, these super-fine grass clippings will insulatein the grass roots from hot weather aand work as micro-mulch, retaining moistumoisture,” says Adam. “Clippings from a mower without a mulching option should be caught in the catcher and added to compost or spread thinly on garden beds as mulch.”

WATERING IN THE EVENING IS BETTER THAN MORNING

According to Adam, watering in the evening – particularly after a hot day – causes excess evaporation. “This in turn raises humidity around the plants or lawn overnight, increasing the risk of fungal problems and rots,” he adds. Instead, water in the early morning. “This way soil has cooled down... and your plants can charge themselves up, rehydrating for the day ahead.”