Horticultural Myths - MG Dawn Standke It's easy to find gardening advice online,but how much of it makes sense or is peer-reviewed research?
Our April Speaker is a 21 year - veteran University of California Master Gardener. Dawn Standke holds degrees in science and math, with a Master's Degree in computer engineering and artifical intelliegence.
Join us for some "Myth Busting" where Dawn will address topics including: Are banana peels great for your plants? Should Neem oil be a go-to solution for garden problems? Could copper nails kill trees? Can I use pennies as a snail and slug repellant? Are bananas radioactive? Is milkweed toxic to humans? In addition to researching horticultural myths, Dawn once worked as a computer programmer, but today she truly prefers gardening and growing many diverse fruits, vegetables and habitat plants to attract birds and butterflies. Along with her husband in Rancho Peñasquitos, together they tend a wildlife-friendly garden. Amazingly, bobcat kittens have been reared in their backyard for six years in a row! Check out this video from 2023 of the bobcats playing in a cardboard box: Dawn has a long list of accomplishments and accolades in our broader gardening community. Here's what the Master Gardeners wrote about her efforts: "Down the Garden Path.doc" - by BJ Boland And her Poway Garden Club nominated her for: 2016 Gardener of the Year which she won!