Eight common DIY wisdom claims examined against what's actually true. Saves you from expensive mistakes based on Pinterest folklore.

1. "Put bananas near tomatoes to ripen them faster"

True. Bananas release ethylene gas; ethylene accelerates ripening. Works for avocados and other climacteric fruits too.

2. "Coffee grounds on the garden feed the soil"

Partly true. Fresh coffee grounds are too acidic and high in caffeine for direct application; they work after composting. Skip sprinkling raw grounds around plants.

3. "Copper wire repels slugs"

Mostly myth. Copper tape creates a mild reaction with slug slime; copper wire doesn't. Buy the tape if you want the effect.

4. "Toothpaste removes heat marks from wood"

Sometimes. Gritty toothpaste can buff light water marks out. Dark heat marks that have penetrated the finish won't come out — you need refinishing.

5. "Diluted dish soap cleans plants"

Partly true. Mild dish soap kills aphids and soft-bodied pests on contact. But many dish soaps contain additives (fragrances, degreasers) that damage plant tissue. Use true castile soap diluted at 2 tbsp per gallon.

6. "Full moon affects planting time"

No evidence. Lunar gardening folklore has been tested in controlled studies; no measurable effect on yield or germination.

7. "Epsom salts make every plant grow better"

Depends. Epsom salts provide magnesium and sulfur. Useful if your soil is deficient in those (get a test); pointless if it's not. Excess can actually harm plants.

8. "Pour boiling water on weeds in cracks"

True — but locally. Instant kill for weeds in driveways and paths. Doesn't work well in beds (harms nearby plants' roots and soil life).

Eight claims. The lesson: a lot of DIY wisdom is surface-true — the mechanism is more nuanced than the saying. Before committing significant time or money, verify against a gardening extension service or a peer-reviewed source.