Part 2 of the Hits and Myths Retrospective focuses on some additional popular nature and gardening myths. In this episode, listen to three short segments of previously aired information on Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, that have been collated together for easier listening. Devon Russ, Master Gardener Volunteer, provides insight into the science behind some common myths that have been handed down through the generations.

Do scarecrows work? Will a scarecrow help keep destructive birds away from your crops? The answer is yes, but not for long. So this is a myth that is partially true. Learn how to get the most value from a scarecrow by listening to this first segment.

In the second one, get answers to questions like: “Why should I mulch my garden?” “What kind of mulch should I use?” and “How deep should the mulch be spread?” Devon Russ is back separating the facts from fiction in a segment about mulch.

Have you heard that guinea hens and opossums eat ticks? In the third segment, Devon provides an update on ticks, including their relationships with guinea hens and opossums, and clarifying some myths along the way.

This diverse episode provides lots of interesting and useful information to help clarify the facts associated with commonly understood approaches.

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Devon Russ

Photo by:

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim, Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a myth is a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone. There are lots of myths associated with nature and gardening. A popular one is that the woolly bear caterpillar can predict the winter weather. Another is that plants like companions. And if you are a fan of the Farmer’s Almanac, I suspect you’ve heard about planting by the phases of the moon.

Are these myths based on science or hearsay? While there is a lot of science behind the natural world, not everything has been studied to determine if something is true. There are lots of reasons for this as science can be expensive as only ‘high priority’ items tend to get funded. Thus, many ‘myths’ continue to get handed down across the generations.

This episode is the first part of a 3-part ‘retrospective’ on Hits and Myths. It is a compilation of previously aired short segments on this subject. We’ve compiled them here for easier listening.

The first segment will explore whether your garden would be more productive if you planted by the phases of the moon. You may have heard that crops grown for their flowers or fruit are best planted during the waxing half of the moon cycle, when the moon gets brighter each night (from new moon to full moon). On the other hand, crops grown for their roots and tubers should be planted during the waning half of the moon cycle, when there is less moonlight each night (from the full moon to the next new moon). Does this really matter?

Next, learn about the wooly bear caterpillar, which is considered a natural indicator for predicting winter weather. (A narrow orange band is said to signal a snowy winter, which a wide band suggests a mild one.) Is there any science behind this?

The third segment focuses on companion planting, the idea that crops will grow better next to other specific plants. I suspect you’ve heard of the three sisters (corn, planted with squash, and beans), or that basil should be planted with tomatoes, or the marigolds will fend off insects in a vegetable garden. There actually is some science behind some of these common ‘companions’, but not necessarily all of them.

The last segment in this episode goes into why these myths persist. Learn about what goes into confirming or dispelling a myth and why so many of them persist.

We hope this episode is a ‘hit’ with you as you learn more about the science associated with these ‘myths’.

Host: Jean Thomas

Guests: Deven Russ and Jean Thomas

Photo by: University of Maine

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources

We, at Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, appreciate all of our listeners. Thank you for your support, feedback, and encouragement!

That said, everyone once in a while, we recognize that you might like to check out another special podcast that focuses on the Catskill Region. Kaatscast is an award-winning podcast that focuses on Catskill regional arts and culture, history, sustainability, local business interviews and more.

In this episode, the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley team interviewed Brett Barry, the host of Kaatscast, his biweekly podcast series about the heart of the Catskills. You can subscribe to Kaatscast for free wherever you get your podcasts, to experience what reviewers have called “delightfully informative” storytelling with “great production quality.” There’s a reason it was voted “Best Regional Podcast” 3 years in a row.

Brett hosts and produces Kaatscast from Silver Hollow Audio. He teaches podcasting and audio production in the Digital Media and Journalism department at SUNY New Patlz. Brett graduated from Syracuse University's television, radio and film program and worked as an associate documentary producer for several years before launching a career in voice-overs in 2002. He returned to Syracuse 10 years later for a graduate degree in television-radio-film. In addition to doing television and radio commercials, audiobooks, promos, and narration, he is also the host of public radio's 'Sound Beat', was the longtime voice of India's English-language network 'Zee Cafe', and the last announcer for the soap opera Guiding Light. He has narrated more than 125 audiobooks and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.

In this episode, you'll learn about the different approaches taken by Kaatscast and Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley relative to content selection and production methods. Enjoy!

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Robin Smith

Guest: Brett Barry

Photo By:

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith