Learn how to search academic databases for science-based gardening advice. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Extension Urban Horticulturist at Washington State University, will take you step by step through the process she uses to bust hortricultural myths.
3. Types of information
Scientific - peer reviewed,
academic audience
Example - Journal of
Environmental
Horticulture
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
4. Types of information
Gray - not peer reviewed,
professional audience
Example – American
Nurseryman
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
5. Types of information
Popular – not peer reviewed,
general audience
Example – Organic
Gardening
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
6. What about anecdotes?
One person’s
observations
Useful for identifying new
areas of research
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
7. Moving past anecdotes
Control variability
Replicate treatments
Repeat experiment
Request confirmation
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
8. Assess gray and popular
literature with the CRAP test!*
(And if you still have questions, consult with
Extension specialists)
*Adapted from Meriam Library, CSU @ Chico State
www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/evalsites.html
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
9. Credibility
Relevancy and
currency of author’s
qualifications?
Publisher: academic,
specialty, self-
published?
URL: .edu or .gov? Or
.com?
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
10. Relevance
Subject and scope of
research?
Intended audience?
Geographic or other
constraints on
usability?
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
15. Advice to gardeners?
“Fill a nylon sock with
sprouted wheat, bury it
in the area you intend
to sow to corn, then
dig up the sock (now
infested with
wireworms) and
dispose of it.”
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
16. Wireworm bait traps
Used to assess
infestations
and determine
means of
control
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
35. Advice to gardeners
A bait trap can detect the presence
of wireworms, but it is not itself a
demonstrated means of control
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
36. Advice to you
Consider setting up
and running an
experiment to test
whether traps can
reduce wireworm
damage in a
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/
controlled setting 2003/4-21-2003/trapwire.html
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
37. Advice to gardeners?
Damping off
“One tablespoon of 3%
hydrogen peroxide per
quart of water [applied
to soil] is sufficient.”
(Source:
davesgarden.com)
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
38. Thousands of web
sites recommend
H2O2 for prevention
of damping off of
seedlings.
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
49. Use of H2O2 in soil science
Rehabilitate soils
contaminated
with heavy
metals and oil
Used to remove
OM from soils
during analysis
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
50. Articles relevant to pathogens
Seed microorganisms in three species of pine and techniques of
disinfection.
Vázquez Collazo, I.; Ciencia Forestal en Mexico, 1996, 21, 79, 61-85.
Hydrogen peroxide was not a good pine seed disinfectant, although
treating seeds for 40 and 60 minutes reduced microorganism
presence on the three pine species by 8 and 15% respectively.
Pathogenic seedborne Fusarium oxysporum from Douglas-fir.
Graham, J. H.; Linderman, R. G.; Plant Disease, 1983, 67, 3, 323-325.
The fungus was isolated from 1-5% of the seed from 2 of 6 Pseudotsuga
menziesii sources examined. Isolates were recovered from both
washed and H2O2-treated seed.
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
51. Advice to gardeners
Hydrogen peroxide is
part of a plant’s
cellular response to
stress
Soil-applied hydrogen
peroxide has no value
as a fungal inhibitor
Photo credit: TAMU
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
52. Question from gardeners
“Is there any benefit or
harm from mowing
fallen leaves into the
lawn, rather than
bagging and disposing
of them?”
Photo credit: OSU
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
56. Relevant research
Several recent articles in both peer-
reviewed and professional
publications
Multi-year field studies in
geographically diverse regions,
including Michigan and Missouri
Initial research appears to be on
whether practice is harmful; results
encourage further work on benefits
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
57. Research findings
No negative effects found in any study,
even when “excessive” mulch applied
Better turf color through winter
Improved weed control
Increased OM content of soil
“Research clearly indicates that the
practice of mulching leaf litter into
existing turfgrass canopies provides
benefits for the soil and the turfgrass
plant.”
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
58. Advice for gardeners
Use your lawn mower
or other shredding
device to create a fine-
textured leaf mulch for
your lawn
Photo credit: UMinn
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
59. Write up your results
Blog or other online posting
Newspaper or magazine article
Extension fact sheet
Scientific journal article
Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott
WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist
