The Purpose of This Blog
The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
💬 Opinion | by Guy Saldiveri | August 10, 2026
While I do a lot of that — and I plan on doing more in the future — I felt the need to get many articles written up front that documented my overall philosophy on things, and also to provide information that's as accurate as I can find.
Many times, this information goes against the grain of the popular remedies and practices you'll often find recommended in online gardening groups.
My goal here isn't to contradict, put down, or even really change the way people garden — especially if what they're doing has proven successful. My goal is to provide information so people — especially the newer gardeners — can learn and not have to make the same mistakes most of us have already made. After all, they're in those groups for a reason — to learn!
I know some of what I write will more than likely ruffle some leaves. That's OK in my book, because sometimes the information itself needs to change — and change can be difficult.
Questions Are Asked for a Reason
Questions are asked because an answer is needed. Unless I'm trying to get an overall take on general knowledge, or how a majority of folks do something, I only ask a question because I don't know the answer. I would hope someone more knowledgeable than I will come along to provide me with the correct solution.
When browsing forums, however, I find too many solutions that just don't match the problem.
Most of the time, in these situations, I find answers are passed on not from experience — but because that's what they heard was the correct way to resolve an issue, and they're passing it along as well.
The articles I've written are there in order to provide a better and more accurate solution to problems. I've done the research, experienced the conditions, solved the problems, and I'm trying to provide the solutions that are known to work.
Correlation vs. Causation
Oftentimes, solutions are presented without any real basis in fact. Much of it is correlation vs. causation. Putting out white plastic butterflies to ward off a moth that seeks out plants at night by smell, not by sight, is a good example. That person might have had less pest pressure from those moths afterwards, but it was most likely due to coincidence rather than a causal effect from those plastic butterflies.
Scarecrows don't really work very well — especially for critters that can't see them.
Should I tell her not to put out the butterflies? Absolutely not! But what I will tell her is that she shouldn't try to convince others that those butterflies solved the issue.
That's the distinction here. Someone having trouble will readily follow advice, spend the money, do the labor, and then EXPECT results.
Providing information that counters a myth — regardless of whether it was repeated in good faith or not — is important to help folks get accurate, less costly, and less frustrating solutions to their issues.
I'm Always Open to Being Wrong
If some things I write about counter someone's personal experiences, I'd love to hear about it. Like I said, I write about solutions to problems. I go out of my way to provide information that I believe to be helpful, accurate, cost-effective, and safe.
Some of what I write is opinion, and I state that whenever I bring something up. I always preface it with "In my experience" or "In my opinion." I would never tell you something does or doesn't work if evidence shows the opposite. That would completely defeat the purpose.
Many of the myth-busting articles I've written have actually been given thumbs up by not only experienced gardeners, but also experienced folks in the horticulture field. I'll take that as a very good sign that what's being put out is the correct information.
I Know It Won't Matter to Everyone
For some, though, it won't matter. They'll take it as me poking the bear for no reason. I should just shut up and stay in my own lane. I get that, lol.
I mean, who am I to counter things? We all have our ways and I'm not going to stand here and dictate what you do — that's your garden, your decision, and your life.
I do feel the right to respond when I see something, though. After all, like I've said, everyone's in the forum for a reason. Either they're providing information, or they're looking for some.
I also know there are some who are so set that no matter what you put out, it will get countered.
The Tums Example
I've actually seen the university extension office put out information on blossom end rot and why adding calcium might not correct the issue — very much like my own article states — only to see 30 people hammer down on why it's inaccurate and how a couple of Tums solved all their issues and saved 12 tomato plants…
The articles aren't meant for those folks. Correlation and causation are usually too intertwined to separate at that point. And if they won't believe an extension office article, they definitely won't care about mine.
And to be completely honest and transparent here:
Even if Tums were the magic bullet folks claim them to be:
A 96-count bottle of 750 mg Tums is $2.32.
A 40-pound bag of pelletized lime is $7.20.
Care to take a guess on which one is more cost-effective pound for pound?
Disclaimer: The costs were what I found at the time of check, and I got a little help from AI on the math.
The Math Breakdown
A 96-count bottle of 750 mg Tums at $2.32 contains roughly 0.064 pounds of elemental calcium, which works out to about $36 per pound of calcium.
A 40-pound bag of pelletized lime at $7.20 provides roughly 13–14 pounds of elemental calcium, depending on the actual composition. That's about 50–55 cents per pound.
So even allowing for variation, you're paying roughly 65–70 times more for the calcium in Tums.
And that is setting aside the active ingredients in antacids like cornstarch, artificial dyes, and flavorings that add absolutely nothing — unless you like Assorted Fruit tomatoes that is. When you lay out the basic math alongside the uptake biology, it becomes pretty undeniable: crushed antacids in the garden aren't just bad science, they're a terrible deal. Great for your stomach, but why bother in the garden?
It's all good — like I said, everyone should do whatever needs to be done in order to keep their own sanity — I'm just putting out the basic facts. 😂
That's What This Blog Is About
I'm trying to provide the best and most useful information I can pass on. If that goes against the grain and upsets you, feel free to drop a comment.
I can say for sure, I'll go back and do a little more research on the subject if that's the case — will you promise to do the same?
Remember, gardening is about the plants; getting the plants to grow is about the gardening.
If you appreciate these straight-shooting, porch-talk opinions, you're welcome to follow along on the left — there's more to come.
No pressure at all.
Just honest company and honest talk. 🙃
Happy Gardening 🌱
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