Don't trust the internet! Debunking 2 popular gardening myths

Between the internet and social media formats, we have access to an almost endless supply of free advice. On social media, we are frequently targeted based on the interest we show in other people's posts. If you're interested in gardening, your social media feed will be full of advice. (Spoiler alert: Mine is.)

Let's take a look at some questionable gardening ideas I've seen circulating out there recently.

Used coffee grounds in the garden?

An example of the unsolicited advice I have received is promoting the use of coffee grounds in the garden. When I searched “coffee grounds in the garden,” I found a mix of responses. There were websites that said it was a good idea, while others told me it was a bad idea. My experience and common sense led me to the conclusion that it is not a good idea.

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The positive reasons for using coffee grounds are they contain nitrogen and other nutrients. They're also highly acidic. These seem like worthwhile purposes, but the problem is you do not know how much nitrogen you are getting. I did a follow-up search and found out coffee grounds contain about 2% nitrogen. My search also showed the pH level in the grounds is closer to neutral than acid. This is because most of the acid went into your cup and you drank it.

Since the coffee grounds contain caffeine, they can inhibit the growth of the plants they're around. Just as coffee grounds are recommended as fertilizer, they are also recommended to control weeds. Weeds are also plants, so if the caffeine is detrimental to weeds, how could it also be beneficial to desirable plants?

Vinegar as a weed killer?

Another problematic recommendation I frequently see on social media is using a vinegar concoction as a weed killer. If you care at all about the health of your soil, please do not use vinegar as a weed killer. The recommended homemade mixture of table salt, vinegar and dish soap is a bad idea.

For some reason, some people think these home remedies are more natural. They're not. There is nothing organic about vinegar, salt and dish soap. This method will also only burn off the top green parts of the weeds. The roots survive and the weed quickly comes back. Additionally, this mixture can also be harmful to soil and surrounding plants.

Where can I get trusted gardening advice?

If you've been fooled by these internet falsities before, there are a ton of better, more reliable resources for you to explore. Online, try to use sites that are not sponsored or selling products. Look for information from a state university horticultural extension service like the Ohio State University Extension that connects its College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to the public.

The Extension system is the world’s largest non-formal educational system. Extension’s hallmark is programming delivered by professionals to address the needs of the local community while also addressing state, national and global issues. The practical educational programs combine the needs of local citizens and communities with new research and technical information.

You can find all kinds of great information on all types of horticultural issues with OSU Extension. There is a feature called “Ask an Expert." Here, you will have the option to send a question that will be answered by OSU faculty or master gardener experts.

You can also find great advice live and in person at your favorite locally owned, independent garden center. You will find a lot of knowledgeable people at these businesses, most of whom are just as enthusiastic about gardening as you are. They love sharing their knowledge. For many, it’s the reason they got into the business.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Are coffee grounds good for plants? Debunking popular gardening myths