Garden Truths: How to Identify Credible Gardening Advice

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, our host Erin Hoover discusses the importance of using credible gardening information sources and how to find them. She starts the episode with the July Gardening Calendar and reminds listeners of what tasks gardeners can tackle in July, then explains why you should be using credible gardening information sources. Erin then gives examples of what those sources are and where you can find them. She explains what the handy acronym C R A A P means and how it can be used to help identify credible gardening information sources. She ends the episode with a call for listeners to reach out with their experiences finding credible information sources.

Erin has been a devoted WSU Extension Master Gardener since 2015. She initially trained in Skagit County and later relocated to Grays Harbor County in 2016. Growing up amidst the lush landscapes of Washington State, Erin developed a deep connection to nature from an early age. Her love for plants and the environment led her to pursue certifications as a WSU Extension Master Gardener and a Permaculture Designer and to share her knowledge with others.

Beyond her role as a Master Gardener, Erin is also an avid homesteader. She has transformed her own property into a thriving mini farm, where she embraces the principles of permaculture and self-sufficiency. From cultivating vibrant vegetable gardens and perennial fruit to raising livestock, Erin embodies the ideals of a modern homesteader, harmoniously blending traditional wisdom with innovative techniques.

Currently, Erin’s gardening interests focus on uses for native plants, feeding livestock from the land, and the pleasure and security of growing her own food. When not producing The Evergreen Thumb or working her homestead, Erin is out exploring Washington’s mountains, forests, and beaches. 

• Using Coffee Grounds in Gardens and Landscapes (Home Garden Series)
• Scientific Literacy for the Citizen Scientist
• Xerces Society
• WNPS
• Gardening in Washington
• USDA NRCS
• WSDA

[00:00:00] Erin Hoover: Welcome to the Evergreen Thumb, your go-to podcast for up-to-date research-based horticulture and environmental stewardship knowledge to help you grow and manage your garden. Produced by Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and brought to you by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State.

[00:00:16] I’m your host, Erin Hoover, a WSU Extension Master Gardener since 2015 and a certified permaculture designer and modern homesteader. WSU Master Gardener volunteers are university-trained community educators who have been cultivating plants, people, and communities since 1973. Are you ready to grow? Let’s dig into today’s episode.

[00:00:43] Welcome to the Evergreen Thumb episode 25. In this episode, we’re delving into what I consider a crucial aspect of gardening, and that is evaluating the credibility of gardening resources. With the wealth of information available online and in print, it’s essential for gardeners to discern what sources they can trust.

July Gardening Calendar

[00:01:02] We’ll explore key criteria and practical tips for identifying credible gardening resources. Before we jump into that though, it is time to talk about the July gardening calendar. For gardening maintenance, there are a lot of things to do this time of year.

If you want to keep your lawn green, which as we learned in Episode 22, is a good way to protect your home and create defensible space in case of a wildfire, it’s important to frequently and deeply water your lawn during periods of heat and drought stress.

[00:01:36] Irrigate a quarter inch four to six times per week from June through August. You can measure that water depth by placing an empty tuna can in a location where your irrigation water lands.

Uh, as the growing season continues, if you’re growing potatoes, it’s a good idea to mound up soil around the base of the plants to help keep them covered.

[00:01:58] Um, because if they are exposed to the sun, they will turn green. And They don’t make very good eating that way. So another option is to gather and eat new potatoes, which are potatoes that haven’t been cured, uh, from each hill, um, after flowering.

As they start to grow out of the soil surface, you can pick those off before they get green and enjoy them, uh, to help reduce evaporation when watering your vegetable and flower gardens, water in the early morning.

[00:02:30] Make sure you’re watering the soil rather than the leaves. This helps reduce diseases, particularly fungal diseases. And if you water deeply and infrequently, then it will help encourage root growth. Pay careful attention to the watering and feeding hanging of hanging baskets. and of flower or vegetable plantings during extended periods of hot weather.

[00:02:55] Weed and fertilize rhubarb and asparagus now that they’re more or less done for the season. A mulch of compost or composted cow manure works very well as a fertilizer. And then water deeply to develop crowns for next year’s harvest. Mulching, uh, is a really good way to conserve soil moisture and prevent evaporation.

[00:03:17] You can mulch with straw, wood chips, particularly arborist chips. Personally, I don’t recommend plastic or sawdust. You can mix sawdust in with other products like straw or wood chips. You don’t want to use exclusively sawdust because it’s fine enough that will prevent air exchange with the soil.

[00:03:42] And it affects the permeability of the soil because water and oxygen cannot get through that creates a crusty layer. Uh, be sure to stake tall growing flowering plants like Delphiniums, Hollyhocks, and Lupines. You also want to make sure you stake your tomatoes and any other vining plants. Make sure they have attachment points to the arbors or the stakes that you’re growing them on.

Make compost of lawn clippings and garden plants that are ready to be recycled. However, do not use lawn clippings if the lawn has been treated with an herbicide, including weed and feed products. Don’t compost diseased plants unless you’re using a hot compost method where your compost gets in excess of 120 degrees.

In planting and propagation, beets, bush beans, carrots, brassicas, lettuce, and peas planted in mid-summer provide fall and winter crops. Divide spring bulbs when tops have died down, then divide and store or replant. Along the coast, uh, you can, it’s time you can do your first plantings of Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, and rutabagas and similar crops.

[00:04:51] For pest monitoring and management, control hollyhock rust by picking the effective leaves and throwing them in the garbage. Do not throw them in your yard waste bin or in your compost.

Fungicide. Be sure to read and follow all label directions before using any chemical control. Monitor for Cutworm damage.

[00:05:14] In July, climbing Cutworms can become a problem and large portions of foliage will begin to disappear. Use barriers, remove by hand, use beneficial nematodes, or spray with BTK according to label directions. In late July, begin to monitor for early and late blight on tomatoes. Prune tomatoes for air circulation, picking off affected leaves, and or treating with an approved fungicide.

[00:05:39] Place traps to catch adult Apple Maggot Flies. You can use pheromone traps to monitor the presence of pests, and then treat as necessary. Also, you can spray Filbert trees for Filbertworm as necessary. Again, it’s important to ensure you have an issue before using any sort of chemical control. Cover blueberry bushes with netting to help keep birds from eating all your precious blueberries.

[00:06:05] Monitor camellias, hollies, and maple trees for scale insects and treat if necessary. Monitor rhododendrons for adult Root Weevils. Uh, look for fresh evidence of feeding, which is usually notching on the leaves. You can use sticky trap products on plant trunks to attract adult weevils. It’s been suggested that if you put a piece of burlap or fabric underneath the sticky trap to protect the, the bark of the plant trunk, uh, and attach it, uh, to the trunk and that way you’ll know if you have a root weevil problem.

If Root Weevils are a consistent problem, you may want to consider removing those plants and choosing a more resistant variety.

This time of year spider mites can become a problem on ornamental plants. During dry hot weather watch for dusty-looking foliage loss of color and the presence of tiny white tiny mites. Wash infested areas with water or spray with an appropriate pesticide east of the cascades It may be necessary to spray for corn earworm as silking begins But be sure to protect bees from spray and again follow the label instructions exactly continue monitoring soft fruits like raspberry, blackberry, blueberry for spotted winged drosophila.

[00:07:22] If flies are present, use an integrated and less toxic approach to manage the pests. Check leafy vegetables for caterpillars. Remove them as they appear. This is really common on brassicas, like broccoli, kale, and cabbages. Sometimes they’re called Cabbage Worms. Little green worms. I usually remove them by hand.

[00:07:42] Sometimes I’ll feed them to my chickens. They’re, uh, fairly easy to control if you check frequently, in my experience. That covers the July gardening calendar.

Okay, so we’re moving on to gardening resources. As I mentioned, we’re going to talk about how to evaluate resources of gardening information and know which sources you can trust.

Why Should You Use Credible Gardening Information Sources?

[00:08:08] Now, just as a quick story, I once used coffee grounds as a mulch around my lettuce and in my lettuce bed because I heard that they were high in nitrogen and made a good mulch. And I know a lot of coffee shops in the area, you know, give away their used coffee grounds. So it was a cheap source of coffee grounds and nutrients for the garden.

Well, because I didn’t do my research and didn’t get my information from a trusted source, I ended up burning all my lettuce plants and making them inedible because uncomposted coffee grounds are phototoxic to plants. So that’s just kind of an example of why it’s really important to use credible resources.

[00:08:53] Or if you hear something that sounds feasible, or you know is related to a problem that you have you do some more research and make sure that that’s credible information. What I found is that unreliable advice at best can lead to poor plant health and or low yields if you’re talking about food crops. At worst, it can waste your money or even harm the environment.

Credible Gardening Information Sources Help You Grow as a Gardener

[00:09:15] Using good information and reliable resources can improve your yields, whether it be food or flowers. It can prevent disease and can save you money and your time. It helps reduce pollution. In time it can improve soil health and contribute to your ongoing education and growth as a gardener.

[00:09:38] So just kind of as an example, if a gardener is struggling to grow healthy tomato plants, despite trying various fertilizers and pest control methods recommended by friends or what they read on Facebook groups, and their tomato plants consistently developed yellow leaves for poor fruit set and pest infestations; One option is a gardener can contact their local Master Gardener through the county extension office and they can provide you with information on how to do soil testing, proper fertilization, and integrated pest management practices.

Now this is not saying you have to rely exclusively on Master Gardeners, though that’s why the Master Gardener program exists, but having reliable resources prevents gardeners from having to use trial and error and spend years finding what works when the science is already there for them to learn from.

Characteristics of Credible Gardening Advice

[00:10:29] Next I’m going to go through some of the characteristics of reliable gardening advice. Uh, it’s important to know the expertise or the credentials of the person that you’re getting advice from. This could be Horticulturalists, Botanists, um, Entomologists if it’s a disease issue, it’s a good idea to know what kind of background this person has.

[00:10:52] If you’re getting it from an individual and if it’s someone that, you know, someone, you know, personally who has a beautiful garden every year and doesn’t seem to have a lot of problems, you know, ask for their advice. You can always do more research to see if their advice holds up. Another thing is that just because someone is credentialed doesn’t make them necessarily an expert.

[00:11:19] What I mean by this is if someone has a PhD after their name, it might be a good idea to find out what their PhD is in. Uh, I once heard an example of, an exercise instructor who was using their PhD initials after her name, but her PhD was in economics, uh, economics and exercise. I doubt she got much exercise-related education in her PhD, uh, economic studies.

[00:11:49] So that’s just kind of, you know, what you want to make sure is that if this person does have credentials with the area of study, is and or just even the experience, um, you know, you don’t always have to rely on experts, but people who have a lot of experience can be a wealth of information. But again, it’s a good idea to double-check some of that information, um, just to verify so that you’re not wasting your time.

Identifying Research-Based Information

[00:12:14] Another thing to consider is, that is the information research-based. Is there science to back this up? One example is, um, a lot of people talk about using vinegar as a weed killer in the garden, and while using household vinegar isn’t necessarily dangerous, it’s not going to give you the results that you’re looking for that an agricultural grade vinegar would.

[00:12:44] However, agricultural-grade vinegar is very strong and I believe it requires a pesticide applicator’s license to use. If you don’t follow the on-label instructions, not only could you do serious damage to your garden, but you can do damage to your health. So it’s important to make sure that you are using science-based information.

[00:13:14] One of the ways that I make sure that I’m using research-based information in my sources is when I am doing a search on a search engine, I will often put in my search topic and add WSU because that’s the land grant university for my state and land grant universities, their mission has everything to do with gardening and agriculture, and things like that.

[00:13:47] So they are going to be doing the most research on, um, gardening-related topics. If I can’t find the topic I’m looking for at WSU, then I will often go to Oregon State or the University of Idaho. Those are the land grant universities in my neighboring states. If I still can’t find what I’m looking for, then I will change it to just EDU so that I can look for sources from any university or any educational institution and I consider those to be reliable sources because they’re doing scientific research and use evidence-based practices.

Determining the Credibility of Information Sources

[00:14:31] Another thing to consider when determining the reliability of, sources or of advice is to look at references and citations. So if you’re, if you find a website that’s giving gardening advice, do they provide references? Do they cite studies, or do they cite reliable books or magazines, you know, what, what kind of resources are they using to get their information?

[00:15:03] So transparency, when they do offer resources at references and citations adds credibility to the information that they’re providing.

The C R A A P Test

Another way to evaluate the information that you’re looking at is a system, a system created by California State University at Chico, and it’s called the CRAAP test. C R A A P.

[00:15:32] That stands for credibility, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. So we’ll go through each of those to kind of give you an idea. So, credibility, things to look at whether or not it’s credible is when was it published? Is this something where the research changes frequently and you need the most up-to-date information?

[00:15:55] Or does it even matter for your particular question? Has the information been revised or updated? If it was originally published a long time ago, and there is new information in that field, has it been updated? And if you’re on a website, which is, seems to be most likely these days when we’re doing research, is their website fully functional?

[00:16:15] Is it maintained? That’ll give you an idea of how hands-on the author or the company is on their website. Whether or not they are maintaining up-to-date information. So, then the next criteria is relevance. Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question or is it clickbait? You know, you want to make sure, that just because it shows up in a search result doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be relevant to your topic.

[00:16:43] And if the search results sent you to that article and it has nothing to do with your topic, then it’s, there’s a pretty good chance that they’re using tactics to get wayward searches onto their website and are not going to have reliable and relevant information. Another thing to look at is who is the intended audience for the information.

[00:17:04] You know, is it, and is it an appropriate information for your level of expertise? So are they talking to other scientists and you’re a scientist? Is it relevant to you? Probably because it’s going to be too, too much information or too technical for someone who’s just learning how to garden, you know, so keep in mind who their intended audience, is if they’re using a lot of jargon and a lot of technical, a lot of technical vocabulary, try looking for another store source.

Referencing Multiple Credible Gardening Sources

[00:17:38] That is more at your level of expertise. Have you looked at a variety of resources? Uh, this is what goes back to what I was saying earlier. You know, if you get someone. gives you an idea of a way to manage blight on your tomatoes. Search for that information as well and see if you can get corroboration from a relevant and reliable source.

[00:17:59] Other criteria may or may not be applicable depending on who you are and how you feel about it, but if you were writing a research paper on this subject, would you be comfortable citing this source? For me, that’s a pretty strong indicator of how I feel how relevant a source is, or how reliable a source is.

[00:18:21] I have written a lot of papers, and I have researched a lot of talks and workshops for Master Gardeners and podcast episodes, it is very important to me that my resources and my citations are reliable and relevant. So, that is a criterion that is, is important to me, and has meaning to me. The next set of criteria in the CRAAP test is authority.

[00:18:48] So, who is the author or the publisher or the source or the sponsor? I would recommend being careful with sponsored articles and posts as the writer is getting paid to say what they’re saying, especially if it’s about a specific product. So that’s always something to keep in mind. Follow the money. If it’s a sponsored article or a sponsored post, remember that they are getting paid.

[00:19:11] They often will say it’s unbiased, but in my opinion, even if they’re trying to be unbiased, there’s probably still going to be a little bit of bias there. What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations? If they have a PhD. in Entomology, then they’re going to probably know what they’re talking about when it comes to pests in your garden.

Relevant Organizations as Credible Gardening Information Sources

Another type of authority is relevant organizations that can be a great source of information. Of course, Master Gardeners is my favorite. There are other horticultural societies, there’s a native plant society, Xerces Society is great for pollinators, your local conservation district, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Entomology Departments at colleges and universities, your state Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture’s natural resources conservation service is a great, uh, source for information about soils and agriculture.

[00:20:11] That’s just a short list of some of the organizations that can be great sources of reliable information. Another criterion is the author is qualified to write on the topic. This goes back to what I said earlier, if they have letters after their name, what do they mean? And you know, if they do have a PhD, what field is it actually in?

[00:20:29] Is it at all related to the topic they’re writing on or are they being deceptive about using their credentials for an unrelated topic or field? That doesn’t mean they’re not qualified to talk or speak on the topic.

So another thing to look at in the sources is their contact information, such as a publisher or an email address where you can contact them to get more information or ask them more questions.

[00:20:54] Does the URL of the website that you’re on reveal anything about the source? Is it a gov or an edu? Again, that’s where it goes back to, as I branch out in my search to get the reliable answers I’m looking for, I will add edu or edu to my gardening-related searches so that I know that I’m getting research-based information from an educational institution.

[00:21:17] And as I said, if you start with your local land grant university, then, you’re most likely, to get relevant research-based information because per the United States Code, a land grant university’s mission is to teach practical Agriculture and science. So like I said, start with your local land grant university or even your local county extension office.

[00:21:41] And because they have a wealth of information on their county websites. And that’s going to be more localized to you. Um, and then work your way out if you’re not finding enough information. All right. So the next step in the acronym is the second day is accuracy.

Looking at the Information Source to Determine Credibility

[00:22:03] Where does the information come from?

Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed? So whether it’s been peer-reviewed or can you verify any of the information from another source, like I said, you know, if someone tells you something, can you verify it with another source, like how to treat blight on your tomatoes or how to prune your apple tree, you know, it’s being able to find multiple sources that corroborate what you’ve been told or what you’re learning reinforces that knowledge and its reliability and its accuracy.

Another thing to consider for accuracy is does the language or tone of the information seem unbiased and free of emotion. Research-based information is usually unbiased or as unbiased as possible and free of emotion.

[00:22:53] I honestly don’t think anything is completely unbiased, but it needs to be as neutral as possible, and misinformation often has a tone that is very emotional and very fear-based. Again, like I was going back to the clickbait. You know, if it’s misinformation or if it’s not reliable or accurate information, it’s going to stir, they want to stir up emotions in you that make you feel fear and want you to believe it.

[00:23:20] Um, and this isn’t necessarily all, uh, gardening information, but it is still something important to keep in mind. Another thing to consider is whether there are spelling, grammar, or typographical errors in the article, the blog post, the book, or whatever. No source is going to be completely free of typos or spelling errors if they happen.

[00:23:42] They get by some of the best editors out there, but if it’s obvious that the author is not making an effort to write without these errors, then that’s a red flag. And finally, the last criterion is purpose. What is the purpose of this information? Is it to inform and teach? Or is it to sell? Is it to entertain? Or is it to persuade?

Emotion and Bias-Free Tones in Credible Gardening Information Sources

[00:24:05] Do the authors or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear? Is the information fact? Is it opinion? Or is it propaganda? Facts, like I said, like the language, should be objective and free of emotion. Opinions are often biased and attempt to be persuasive, but if they’re truly expressing an opinion, then they will acknowledge other viewpoints and use a respectful tone.

[00:24:35] Whereas propaganda is often manipulative and emotionally charged and relies on exaggeration or uses unreliable sources. So that pretty much covers the CRAAP test. So just to kind of review, you know, whether you’re looking at printed materials or online resources or local resources, lack of author information or making sensational claims are

 red flags, overemphasis on miracle solutions and or unsupported and anecdotal claims or outdated information. These are all common red flags to be aware of when you’re evaluating resources. In printed materials, you can look for reputable publishers and look at how recently the books have been published.

Reputable Publishers as Credible Sources

[00:25:22] So there are certain publishers out there. The only one that comes to mind off the top of my head is Chelsea Green. They tend to publish books that have much more niche in organic and regenerative agriculture and gardening. There are newsletters, and magazines that come out that are produced by like those same organizations I mentioned earlier by, you know, the Xerces Society or the Native Plant Society, they might have newsletters that you can join.

[00:25:55] WSU has several email lists that you can join and get regular articles from them, but even more importantly using local resources, because those are going to be the most reliable to where you are, whether it’s an extension, um, botanical gardens as I said, native plant societies, horticulture clubs, these are all going to be, give you the most localized and most reliable information.

[00:26:24]  I hope that kind of gives you a better idea of how to evaluate the reliability of resources. I know it’s convenient to go to your favorite blogger or your Facebook group and ask, and you’re going to get, if you ask a question in a Facebook group, you’re probably going to get 50 different answers and they’re not all wrong, but you need to be discerning and do follow up research on which of those methods is going to be the most reliable.

Share Your Experiences with Finding Credible Gardening Information Sources

[00:26:54] Thanks for listening today. I want to invite you to share your stories with me. If you’ve ever come across unreliable or questionable gardening advice and how you were able to work through it or work around it and find another option. If you have any other questions on reliable resources or the craap test, email me at hello@theevergreenthumb.com.

Final Thoughts on Finding Credible Sources for Gardening Information

[00:27:23] Thanks for listening. Thank you for joining us on this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, brought to you by the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program volunteers, and sponsored by the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State. We hope that today’s discussion has inspired and equipped you with valuable insights to nurture your garden.

[00:27:45] The Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to provide unifying support and advocacy for WSU Extension Master Gardener programs throughout Washington State. To support the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State, visit www.mastergardenerfoundation.org/donate.

[00:28:04] Whether you’re an experienced master gardener or just starting out, the WSU Extension Master Gardener program is here to support you every step of the way. WSU Extension Master Gardeners empower and sustain diverse communities with relevant, unbiased, research-based horticulture education.

[00:28:24] Reach out to your local WSU Extension office to connect with Master Gardeners and tap into a wealth of resources that can help you achieve gardening success. To learn more about the program or how to become a master gardener, visit mastergardener.wsu.edu/get-involved. If you enjoyed today’s episode and want to stay connected with us, be sure to subscribe to future episodes filled with expert tips, fascinating stories, and practical advice.

[00:28:50] Don’t forget to leave a review and share it with fellow gardeners to spread the joy of gardening. Questions or comments to be addressed in future episodes can be sent to hello@theevergreenthumb. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by guests of this podcast are their own and do not imply endorsement by Washington State University or the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State.