This week on We Dig Plants, solo host Alice Marcus Krieg is talking garden myths with author and radio show host C.L. Fornari who joins on the phone via Poison Ivy Acres on Cape Cod. Talking about her new book “Coffee for Roses,” C.L. elaborates how the book came about and how important it was to have a humorous spin. According to the book, word-of-mouth may be a great way to learn about some products, but word-of-mouth gardening tips can be a very bad idea. The age-old practice of passing along gardening tips and tricks is no guarantee you will get a good result…it might even do the opposite. In her new book, garden expert C. L. Fornari looks at 71 common garden practices and uncovers the truth behind the lore. Do marigolds keep the bugs out of the veggie patch? Will rusty nails turn hydrangeas blue? With humor and affection, she goes back in time to sort out the good, the bad and the just plain silly and tells us why. “Coffee for Roses” combines gardening history and expert advice into one useful, time- and money-saving package. This program was brought to you by Fairway Market.

“There are numerous home remedies that didn’t make it into the book either.” [13:38]

“People are prone to be a little wacky when it comes to products that are under the kitchen sink and spreading them around the garden.” [13:53]

—C.L. Fornari on We Dig Plants