(This article was written by Angela Mason Foster, Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer)

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube, you’ve likely seen viral gardening hacks that promise “amazing results” with items from your kitchen, bathroom, or junk drawer. Whether it’s using coffee grounds to fix yellowing leaves or sticking a banana in the soil for instant blooms, the internet is full of quick fixes for plant problems.

But how many of these actually work? And how many could cause more harm than good?

As gardeners, it’s natural to be curious and eager to experiment. But we also know that sound science and experience tend to produce better results than clickbait. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common hacks making the rounds—and what you should do instead.

Hack #1: Add Coffee Grounds to Your Soil for a Plant Boost

The Claim: Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and will fertilize your plants naturally.

The Reality: Coffee grounds do contain nitrogen, but using them straight from your coffee pot can lead to compacted soil, acidity issues, and even fungal growth. When used fresh, they’re too acidic for most vegetables and perennials and may inhibit seed germination.

What to Do Instead: Compost them first. When mixed with other organic matter and broken down properly, coffee grounds make a great nitrogen-rich addition to your compost pile. Sprinkle compost, not grounds, around your plants.

Hack #2: Use Epsom Salt for Better Tomatoes and Bigger Blooms

The Claim: Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) boosts plant growth, prevents blossom end rot, and encourages flowering.

The Reality: While magnesium and sulfur are essential nutrients, most soils in North Carolina are not deficient in either. Adding Epsom salts without a soil test can lead to nutrient imbalances, especially by interfering with calcium uptake—which actually causes blossom end rot, the very thing this hack claims to prevent.

What to Do Instead: Test your soil first. If magnesium is lacking, a carefully measured application may be helpful. But blindly adding Epsom salts is more likely to harm than help.

Hack #3: Bury a Banana Peel to Fertilize Your Plants

The Claim: A banana peel adds potassium and phosphorus to the soil as it decomposes, feeding nearby plants.

The Reality: While banana peels do contain nutrients, they decompose slowly in the soil, attracting pests and potentially harboring mold. The nutrients also aren’t in a readily available form that plants can use right away.

What to Do Instead: Compost your banana peels. When fully broken down, they contribute valuable organic matter and nutrients to the soil in a form plants can actually use.

Hack #4: Cinnamon as a Natural Fungicide and Rooting Agent

The Claim: Cinnamon can prevent damping-off disease and help cuttings root faster.

The Reality: There is some truth to this one. Cinnamon has mild antifungal properties and may inhibit some pathogens when sprinkled on seed-starting mix. However, it’s not a substitute for proper sanitation, good airflow, and sterile tools.

What to Do Instead: You can use cinnamon on cuttings if you like, but don’t expect miracle results. More reliable options include commercial rooting powders and sterile growing conditions.

Hack #5: Use Vinegar as a Natural Weed Killer

The Claim: Vinegar will kill weeds safely and naturally without toxic chemicals.

The Reality: Household vinegar is only mildly effective on young, tender weeds and works primarily by burning leaf surfaces. It does not kill roots, meaning the weeds often regrow. Stronger horticultural vinegar (20% acetic acid) is available but is hazardous to skin, eyes, and desirable plants.

What to Do Instead: Hand-pulling, mulching, and spot-treating with targeted herbicides (as a last resort) remain more effective long-term strategies. If you do use vinegar, use caution and understand its limitations.

Why It Matters

Gardening is already a lesson in patience, observation, and balance. While social media can be a great place to find inspiration, it’s also full of shortcuts that can mislead new gardeners and damage soil health, plant vigor, or pollinator populations.

The appeal of these hacks is understandable—they’re quick, inexpensive, and promise dramatic results. But gardening isn’t about instant gratification. It’s about working with nature, understanding your soil, and making decisions based on observation and evidence—not just what went viral last week.

The Cooperative Extension system, Master Gardener programs, and trusted horticultural sources exist to help you make informed, sustainable choices. Lean into those resources before tossing a kitchen remedy into your raised bed.

Suggested Reading:

• The Truth About Garden Remedies by Jeff Gillman
• The Science of Gardening by Linda Chalker-Scott
• Decoding Gardening Advice by Jeff Gillman and Meleah Maynard

Conclusion: A Gardener’s Best Tool is Curiosity—Followed by Research

Gardening hacks might look great in a 30-second video, but real success still comes from sound practices, good soil preparation, and a little old-fashioned trial and error. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment—just do so with your eyes open and your research done.

When in doubt, turn to science-based resources, soil test results, and your fellow gardeners. Ask questions. Share what works. And remember, gardening isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, growing, and cultivating joy along the way.

If you have questions about your home garden or landscape, reach out to Gene Fox, Consumer Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Email Gene at gene_fox@ncsu.edu or call (252) 946-0111. Master Gardeners are available on the Greenline Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to assist with your horticultural needs. Don’t forget to check out the Beaufort County Master Gardeners Facebook page for additional resources.