Portraits: Linda Chalker-Scott, Professor of Horticulture at Washington State

Linda Chalker-Scott is an associate professor of horticulture at Washington State University. She is also an author and co-host of the blog The Garden Professors. She discusses common garden myths and dispels them using scientific research.

A career with plants had not initially been in her plan, but plants have always been part of her life. 

“I had grown up with plants, always had a garden. I liked to collect plants when I was little and press them…”

Linda’s research is based on urban horticulture and asking the question of how plants are able to survive in the urban landscape or what she refers to as Horticultural CSI.

The myths that she finds seem like logical advice from people, but there’s no science to back up the claims and gardeners have been misled, including herself.

“All the myths that I’ve busted, almost every one of them are things that I used to do.” 

For more information, visit Garden Professors online.

This episode was filmed by Leon Guanzon.

Edited by Laura Christian.

Art is by Matthew Gillin.