At USF Garden Center, we want every reader to trust that our gardening information is useful, accurate and independent. This policy explains how we choose topics, research and write our guides, keep them up to date and handle corrections.
Our mission
We help gardeners decide which plants to grow side by side — and which to keep apart — using clear, practical explanations. Our goal is to answer the question a reader actually asked, quickly and completely, without filler.
How we choose topics
Our topics come from the questions gardeners ask most often: which vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers can share a bed, how soil and climate affect them, and how to deal with common pests and problems. Reader emails and suggestions also shape what we publish next.
Research and sources
Our guides draw on established horticultural knowledge, including:
- publications from university cooperative extension services and agricultural research institutions;
- botanical gardens, horticultural societies and plant databases;
- hardiness zone maps and climate data published by national agencies;
- peer-reviewed research on plant interactions, allelopathy, pollination and integrated pest management;
- practical, long-standing gardening experience shared by growers.
Companion planting includes both well-researched effects and traditional practices with weaker evidence. Where the evidence is limited or mixed, we try to say so rather than present folklore as fact.
How guides are written and reviewed
Each guide follows a consistent structure: a direct answer, a comparison of growing requirements (sunlight, water, soil pH, hardiness zones, spacing and growth habit), the benefits and challenges of growing the plants together, practical tips and answers to common follow-up questions. Before publication, content is checked for clarity, internal consistency and agreement with reputable horticultural sources.
Some of our content is produced with the help of digital tools, including AI-assisted drafting and formatting. These tools never replace our editorial standards: all published guides are expected to meet the same requirements for accuracy, usefulness and transparency, and are corrected whenever problems are found.
Accuracy, updates and corrections
Gardening advice depends on climate, soil and local conditions, and horticultural knowledge evolves. We review and update guides when new information becomes available or when readers point out issues. If you find an error, please email [email protected] with the page address and a short description. Significant corrections are made as quickly as possible, and the “Updated” date on the article changes accordingly.
Safety
Some garden plants are toxic to people or pets, and herbal remedies can interact with medication. We highlight important safety points where relevant, but our content is not a substitute for professional medical, veterinary or legal advice. See our Disclaimer for details.
Independence and advertising
USF Garden Center is free to read and is supported by advertising, including Google AdSense. Advertisers have no influence over our topics, conclusions or recommendations, and we do not accept payment for positive coverage. Ads are clearly separated from editorial content.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Write to us at [email protected].