Editorial policy

Research standards

Every guide starts with the question a gardener is trying to answer. We check horticultural advice against established references and public extension service guidance, and we prefer specifics — depths, spacings, timings, temperatures — over vague encouragement. Where advice depends on climate, hardiness zone or soil type, we say so instead of implying one answer fits everywhere.

Source selection

For agriculture and policy coverage we work from primary sources wherever possible: USDA and agency releases, APHIS and EPA notices, published legislation, and university extension material. Those sources are linked in the article so readers can check them directly. We don't repackage another outlet's reporting as our own.

Safety and YMYL topics

For pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers and any other treatment that carries risk, we take a conservative line. We describe approaches in general terms and direct readers to the product label and their local regulations for application rates and handling. We do not publish mixing instructions, and we do not make health claims about plants or plant products.

Updates

Evergreen guides are revisited when growing advice, product availability or official guidance changes. When we make a substantive update, the article shows an updated date. We don't refresh dates cosmetically to look current — an unchanged article keeps its original date.

Corrections

Mistakes get fixed openly. Our corrections policy explains how to report one and what we do next.

Product recommendations

When GardenScoop recommends tools or equipment, recommendations are based on how well the product suits the job described. We do not publish fabricated hands-on testing, invented ratings or fake user reviews, and we do not accept payment for a favourable verdict. Any commercial relationship is disclosed on our affiliate disclosure page and alongside the relevant content.

Use of AI

AI tools may assist with routine tasks such as drafting outlines, summarising public source documents or copy-editing. Editorial decisions, factual claims and published advice are the responsibility of the GardenScoop editorial team, and no article is published without human review.

Editorial independence

Advertising, affiliate partnerships and sponsorships never determine what we cover or what conclusion an article reaches. Commercial content, if published, is labelled as such.