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A Grain of Salt: What You Should Know Before Following Gardening Advice on the Internet

January 24, 2019

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This post has been on my heart for awhile and I feel a little bit hypocritical writing it. Hey Kristen, you’re a garden blogger–you literally give gardening advice on the Internet for a living. But it comes with its challenges. And when I talk to new gardeners about what they should and shouldn’t do with their gardens, I’ve been realizing that they probably don’t know which advice is good, which is bad, and which could actually ruin their gardens.

Because let’s face it, I can give you all the advice in the world, but if you live somewhere substantially warmer than I do, not every single thing I’m going to say will apply to your situation. Or maybe different bugs are more common in your area than mine. Or I could try and follow the “what to plant guide in January” written by another blogger and laugh because everything here is covered in snow and nothing will survive in -30 weather.

So next time you’re trolling Pinterest looking for gardening and landscaping ideas, have these words of wisdom in your mind.

Before you follow that cool piece of gardening advice, tips and tricks, or some sort of hack, read this first and avoid heartache--especially if you're a beginner gardener planing your first garden. #gardening #advice #tips #tricks #ideas #beginner

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything, I earn a small amount of money at no extra cost to you. You can read more about it in my privacy policy. Thanks for supporting Shifting Roots!

The Number 1 Rule of Gardening Advice: Where Does the Writer Live?

I love gardening magazines, but I also find them frustrating. They’ve shown me 50 pages of gorgeous ideas that I want to try RIGHT NOW, but all I can accomplish in my zone is maybe 5 pages worth. That’s because I live on the Canadian Prairies and the magazine I’m looking at is published in New York, and most of the authors live in the North Eastern United States.

Most of the plants they’re using won’t be hardy enough for my zone (zone 3, versus anywhere between zone 5 and 7). Any non-organic soil amendments they suggest might actually ruin my soil if I tried them here. And if they published a guide telling me exactly when to plant my plants and harvest them? Also wrong–because my growing season is at least a month (if not two) shorter than theirs.

Is the advice wrong? No. But most of it isn’t meant for my growing conditions.

So next time you’re looking at a magazine article or blog post, take a quick look at the “about me” section and see where in the world this author is from, and if the geographical location is similar to yours.

Exceptions to this rule: remedies for bugs and pests, tips on composting, crop rotation, how to grow a certain vegetable, general plant care.

Just because you’re in the same zone as another gardener, doesn’t mean you’ll have the same results.

This point feels like a sucker punch to the face. I live in Saskatoon, SK, which is zone 3. Some other locations that also are in zone three are areas of Northern BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Quebec, and areas around Wyoming in the mountains.

Guess what? We are all going to have different results.

Being in Saskatoon, I will have the most in common with readers around Edmonton, most areas of Saskatchewan, and most areas of Manitoba. Why? These areas are all on the Prairies.

But why didn’t I mention Calgary? Because Calgary gets chinooks, so their growing conditions are completely different from everyone else on the prairies–even though we’re in the same zone. In fact, someone even wrote a book about it.

P.S. You should also check out this one he wrote too, it’s one of my favourites.

Will 95% of the gardening advice work? Yes. But your results may be quite different because of daylight hours, soil conditions, and that year’s weather.

Your Soil Makes a Difference

One man’s invasive perennial is another man’s favourite flower that he or she would be happy to have all over their garden. Some of you have rich soil that plants go wild in. Others of you have terrible soil that will need many years of compost and manure for plants to grow well.

Nowhere are the consequences of this rule more keenly felt than in the comments section of my post, 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting.

All of my plant suggestions are based under the premise of what plants I think a brand new gardener would be frustrated with, or not willing to put in the work of weeding/removing in 3-5 years when the plant takes over everything. It’s also tinged with a little bit of frustration over having to remove over 400 ferns and countless bits of lily of the valley and bellflower from my current yard over the last 3 years.

But if you just skim through the pictures, you don’t know that. And you’ll probably get really annoyed with me in the comments. And if you didn’t read the disclaimer on how I live on the Canadian Prairies in zone 3, you probably also won’t understand that 1. Our soil (in a general sense) is pretty fertile right out of the gate. 2. Certain plants aren’t on the list because they would never survive the winter here 3. Some plants that are “well-behaved” here are a problem in other areas of the world because our cold winters keep them in check.

In fact, I had so many suggestions about plants that were a nuisance in other areas of the world, that I wrote a whole follow up post on the 50 perennials you’ll regret planting.

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If you Love a Plant, Plant it.

I give suggestions on flowers and vegetable varieties that I think will work for a certain situation all the time. I also give suggestions about which ones I think you should avoid. Sometimes I tell you to avoid your favourite plant.

Don’t ever let some person on the Internet stop you from growing something you love! For this reason and all the other reasons stated in this post, you can plant what you want to plant.

One exception to this rule: If the plant shows up on your Province or State’s list of Invasive and Noxious Weeds. To find the list for your area, google [your Province or State] + the term Invasive Weeds.

One Man’s Weed is Another Man’s Salad

There are many gardeners on the Internet who hate weeds and need to see every last weed in their garden destroyed. There are others who embrace the weeds and use them in salads and tinctures. Neither of these people are monsters (or hippies). They are just people who see things a different way. If the blogger you’re reading doesn’t resonate with you, find another one who does.

Related: 6 Tips All New Gardeners Should Know

I tend to fall into the “all weeds must go” camp, but for the love of all that is good, please don’t spend money on dandelion seeds. If you want to grow dandelions, I will happily collect some seeds for you from my yard. (And yes, I have seen seed packets for dandelion seeds in the stores this year.)

Before those of you who embrace weeds get mad at me and start lecturing me on the bees, please know that I respect your decision to embrace the weeds. It’s just not my thing.

Chemicals, Organic, GMO, Safe Seeds, oh my. . . .

Want to make gardeners fight? Just mention the words chemicals, organic, GMO, or the Safe Seed Pledge and watch the tensions fly. And let’s not even talk about the R-word (Roundup) or the M-word (Monsanto). Where’s that meme of some guy eating popcorn when you need it?

If you want to find sites about strictly organic gardening, you can find them. If you want to find sites where they discuss chemical interventions you can find them too. Just play nice in the comments, okay?

I’m going to say one more thing on this topic. Whatever side of the fence you fall on, just consider reading a couple of articles from a reliable source that support the other side’s opinions. Just so you can see where their arguments are coming from.

In today’s world of curated feeds, it’s way too easy to confirm that your opinion is right, because all you ever see are articles written by people who have the same opinion as you.

All Shade is Not Created Equal

I feel like this is one of my gardening mantras. Anyway, as you’re scrolling through Pinterest, you’ll probably see some pins about vegetables that like the shade, or the best perennials or annuals to use in the shade. In fact, I might have even written one of them.

I feel you. A mostly shade-covered garden sucks and it can feel like there’s nothing you can plant. So an article saying that there is hope is just what your heart needs. But repeat it with me, “All Shade Is Not Created Equal!!”

First of all, there’s part sun, part shade, dappled shade, and full shade to sort out. Then is also depends (again!) on where you live.

If you’re in zone 3 like I am, I don’t care how much those articles on vegetables that love the shade say they love the shade–your vegetable garden is going to look super sad if it gets no sunlight or 3 hours or less. Does spinach and lettuce do better if it’s not pelted by the hot July sun? Yes. But it also can’t tolerate no sun whatsoever.

P.S. I also realize the people who write these articles know this, but I really feel the need to point this out for beginner gardeners who might not.

Finally, you might also see posts talking about the use of shade cloth so your vegetables don’t scorch. Solid advice if you live in the Southern United States. Totally unnecessary if you live where I do.

Weather Trumps All

Sometimes, you can do everything “right” and the weather simply won’t co-operate. It can just be a bad growing year, and there’s nothing you did wrong. There are some years where everyone in your area will have bad carrots, tomatoes, peas, or whatever plant happened to be the one that didn’t get the weather it needed to thrive.

It’s okay. Even market gardeners have bad years for certain vegetables.

So What Now?

It’s my hope that after reading this, you’ll have a better idea of what advice is good advice for you and your area. I’d also love to know if there’s anything you think I missed. Who knows, I might even have to write a part 2 if there’s enough stuff.

If you’ve read this and feel even more frustrated and confused, you need my online gardening course. It’s a no-nonsense virtual handhold through your first year of gardening and beyond, all in one place.

Check it out here:

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

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Filed Under: Blogging, Gardening Tagged: gardening advice, gardening tips

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Joanna says

    February 15, 2019 at 4:52 pm

    Awesome post!!! We’re kindred spirits where gardening is concerned. Your paragraph about dandelions and weeds made me laugh.
    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • How to Make a Tempting Christmas Cookie Tray (Plus Recipes!)
  • Cranberry Butter Tarts
  • 10 Easiest Annual Cut Flowers to Grow From Seed and 2 to Avoid
  • Why Won’t My Christmas Cactus Bloom? (And What to Do About it)
  • The Best Companies to Purchase Cut Flower Seeds for your Backyard Flower Farm

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

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Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Learn the Basics of Gardening in Just a Few Minutes

Screen shot 2018 04 19 at 4.23.58 pm

Gardening doesn't have to be complicated. Learn the basics in minutes, get started with your first garden in a day or less, and start your lifetime gardening adventure.

Enter your name and email address to download the Quick Start Garden Guide. You'll also get a mini-email course and weekly gardening tips and advice.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
Instagram post 2196671569572144940_2204272319 The Christmas baking tray wouldn't be complete without a batch of butter tarts! (Well, at least in Canada 🍁. . . )  I personally love butter tarts with or without nuts or raisins, but I think I love this cranberry version the best of all.⁠
⁠
I'm curious, are you team plain, nuts, raisins, or cranberry butter tart?⁠
⁠
Whatever version you choose, I love making butter tarts because they look fancy, but they're super fast and easy to make--perfect for those who don't do a lot of baking the rest of the year.⁠
⁠
Here's the recipe. . . ⁠
⁠
1/2 cup butter ⁠
1 beaten egg⁠
1 cup brown sugar ⁠
1 tbsp flour⁠
1 tsp vanilla⁠
2 tbsp cream⁠
1 cup dried cranberries ⁠
16 tart pastry shells⁠
⁠
Combine all ingredients (except shells) into a med high pot. Stir until combined and melted and remove from heat when boiled. Fill tart shells. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool and serve.
Instagram post 2195916441484264107_2204272319 The 12 Days of Christmas Baking: Day 9⁠
⁠
You know what is always one of the first things to go on the baking trays?  Anything with cream cheese.  These mocha mint cheesecake bites will help keep you awake at the party, and be a hit with your guests.⁠
⁠
1 box of oreos (36 cookies),⁠
1/2 cup melted butter,⁠
2 envelopes powdered whip topping,⁠
1/2 cup milk,⁠
1/2 cup cold brew coffee⁠
2 bricks cream cheese⁠
4 crushed candy canes⁠
Instructions⁠
⁠
Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until they are fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter and distribute amongst two lined muffin tins.⁠
Whip two envelopes of powdered whip topping with milk and cold brew coffee. Do not substitute regular whipping cream or all coffee with the powdered whip topping--it will not work!! Set aside.⁠
Whip cream cheese with a small amount of the whipped cream mixture until smooth. Add in the rest of the whipped cream mixture. Spoon overtop of oreo mixture.⁠
Crush four candy canes and sprinkle on top. Crushed Coffee Crisp tastes great too!⁠
⁠
P.S. If you don't like coffee, just replace the cold brew coffee with more milk. ⁠
P.P.S. If you don't have cold brew coffee on hand, brew regular coffee at twice the regular strength.
Instagram post 2195191325988479835_2204272319 DAY 8:  12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
⁠
Let's take a small break from recipes today and discuss what makes a good baking tray.  The key is in the mix, and in the decor.  The goal of the baking tray is to be as appealing to as many people as possible.  Aim for 4-7 different types of baking.  I personally like to have the following types of goodies in mine: ⁠
⁠
✅One decorated cookie, like gingerbread or sugar cookies⁠
✅One chocolate-based item⁠
✅One item that contains jam or fruit⁠
✅One square⁠
✅Shortbread or one shortbread-based goodie⁠
✅One kid-friendly item⁠
and finally, if no one who will be eating the tray has any allergies. . .⁠
✅One thing that contains nuts⁠
⁠
You want to have a variety of different flavours and textures so that you keep your guests coming back for more.  And yes, I may have over-thought this a little bit!⁠
⁠
What's that one thing you hope will be on a baking tray?⁠
⁠
I always go for the shortbread!⁠
⁠
#bakingtray #christmasbaking #dainties #bakingaddition #bakinglover #bakinglovers #thefeedfeedbaking #christmastraditions
Instagram post 2194827779875063954_2204272319 This is me about three-almost-four years ago.  I had just done an interview for a self-love blog by @naomizurv . I was at an interesting place in my life because I was starting this blog, we had finally received Dominic’s Autism diagnosis, and my husband and I had decided that as much as we wanted more kids, it seemed we were destined to be a family of three.  This picture (and interview) was all about accepting life as it was and choosing to make the best of it.  Most of the time I was very happy, but there were times where acceptance only got me so far.  Friends kept having second and third babies, and while I was happy for them, I was sad for me.  Then last February—almost 7 years since Dominic was born—-we had our miracle second baby.  This May, we’ll be having a third surprise miracle baby. 
I’ve been really struggling with breaking the news on social.  While I am over-the-moon to be a Mom for the third time, I also keenly remember the woman in this photo who would have cried and felt bad for a week if I heard this news about someone else.  I also feel like every time I tell people about this pregnancy, they look at me like I’m crazy or are kind of making fun of me.  Just because this was not the timing I would have picked doesn’t mean this baby is any less special, loved, or fiercely wanted.  And while I’m very nervous about handling two babies 15 months apart, I know that it will be worth it to hold my baby I never even dared to dream of.

So there.  I’ve spilled the beans.  Now maybe I can show my face on social media again.  But if not, you know I’m just over here trying to wrap my head around some very big (and good!!) life changes.
Instagram post 2194466595210828187_2204272319 DAY 7: 12 days of Christmas Baking⁠
⁠
So why am I showing you cinnamon buns that aren't cooked?  To prove how much delectable sauce will be at the bottom of this version. . . obviously. 😉⁠
⁠
You can make this cinnamon bun recipe the night before, then set it in the fridge to rise overnight.  Then all you have to do in the morning is heat the oven, cook the cinnamon buns while everyone is unwrapping presents, and they'll be fresh, hot, and ready by the time you're done.⁠
⁠
I also like to save a bit of the sauce and pour it over the cinnamon buns right when they come out of the oven.⁠
⁠
Ingredients:⁠
1 tbsp yeast,⁠
1 tbsp sugar,⁠
1 cup warm water,⁠
2 eggs,⁠
5 cups flour,⁠
pinch of salt,⁠
cinnamon for sprinkling,⁠
brown sugar for sprinkling,⁠
1/2 cup melted butter for rolls,⁠
1 cup cream,⁠
1 cup brown sugar,⁠
1 cup butter.⁠
⁠
Instructions:⁠
⁠
Dissolve sugar in warm water and add yeast. Let sit for ten minutes. Whisk in two eggs. Add flour one cup at a time and mix with dough hook. Add in the pinch of salt with one of your cups of flour. Do not add in the salt before the flour, as it can make the yeast less effective. Let the dough rise in a greased bowl for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled. If it is cold outside, let rise in an oven that has been warmed up and turned off.⁠
⁠
To make sauce, combine the cream, brown sugar, and butter in a sauce pan and mix until combined. Do not boil.⁠
⁠
When the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into 4 smaller balls. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread over some of the melted butter. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and cut into pieces with a string (as shown in the photo above). Set in a greased pie plate or casserole dish and pour in some sauce. Reserve a bit of sauce for drizzling at the end. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Drizzle with reserved sauce and enjoy!⁠
⁠
#christmasbaking #holidaybaking #cinnamonbuns #theeverygirlbakes #homesteadingskills #urbanhomesteadskills #bakingaddiction #bakinglover
Instagram post 2193741846005217737_2204272319 DAY 6: 12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
⁠
Today's recipe requires a little more time, but it's the weekend, so you can do it!  This recipe is what my family lovingly refers to as Hutzelbrot.  It's some sort of combination of 3 different German Christmas breads--if you want the full story you'll have to hop on the blog and read about the research I did.  Like many of my family recipes, it's roots are German, but it definitely got North-Americanized along the way.  Anyway.⁠
⁠
It's better than fruitcake and delicious as a breakfast bread.  I didn't really like it as a kid, but now that I'm an adult I gobble it up like there's no tomorrow.⁠
⁠
Ingredients⁠
⁠
2 1/2 cups dried fruit such as peaches, pears, apples, figs, apricots, prunes, cranberries, or currants.⁠
1/2 cup of raisins⁠
5 1/4 cups unbleached white flour⁠
1/2 cup warm water⁠
1 1/2 tbsp dry yeast⁠
1/2 tsp sugar or honey⁠
1 cup liquid from cooking fruit⁠
1 tsp cinnamon⁠
1 tsp salt⁠
1 tsp grated lemon or orange peel⁠
1/2 tsp ground cloves⁠
1/4 cup honey⁠
1/2 cup melted butter⁠
Instructions⁠
⁠
Boil all fruit except raisins. Drain and set one cup of liquid aside for use in the bread recipe.⁠
Combine sugar, yeast and 1/2 cup warm water and let yeast rise for 10 minutes.⁠
Put all ingredients in a mixer and mix with a dough hook until the dough makes a nice soft ball. You can mix by hand, but it is very difficult dough to work with and don't recommend it for beginners.⁠
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This can range from 1-2 hours depending on the humidity level where you live.⁠
Punch down and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans and poke holes in the top with a fork. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.⁠
Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes, or 25-30 minutes if you use smaller loaf pans.⁠
Notes⁠
⁠
Rising times vary greatly depending on how much humidity is in the air on baking day. Even though the recipe takes a long time, most of that is spent impatiently waiting for the dough to rise.
Instagram post 2193017018314283996_2204272319 DAY 5: 12 days of Christmas Baking ⁠
⁠
Shortbread is one of my favourite Christmas treats, but whenever I made it I would always mess it up.  The first time I tried to replace the butter with margarine. . . bad idea.  Another time, I chose a three ingredient recipe that was so crumbly it wasn't worth eating.  Then I found this recipe and everything was better!! Until 2 Christmas's ago when I went to Jamaica and decided to make them for my new relatives.  Hot and humid country + different butter= cookies that were a complete disaster.  However, we didn't throw them away and someone served them when everyone came to visit the condo we rented.  I was mortified, but my brother-in-law's family loved them, as they had never experienced North American style baking.⁠
⁠
Moral of the story?  Don't make these in a tropical-weather country.  But even if they flop, they're still really delicious!⁠
⁠
1 cup corn starch,⁠
1 cup icing sugar,⁠
2 cups flour,⁠
1 1/2 cups butter, softened⁠
Instructions⁠
⁠
Mix all ingredients and spoon on to a cookie sheet.⁠
Optional: chill for 30 minutes and roll out for a cut cookie⁠
Apply sprinkles or cherries before baking⁠
Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Cookies should have the barest hint of light brown at the edges. Makes 48 small cookies⁠
⁠
If you want the cookies to look like this, skip the sprinkles and the cherries and bake them plain instead.  Once everything has cooled, dip cookies in melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
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