My neighbor Dale told me for two years straight that eggshells and vinegar would fix his blossom end rot, and I nodded along because it sounded so simple. Then last summer I watched him lose about fifteen plants to the same rot while my soil test kit sat unused in the garage. I finally ran the test and found my pH was already at 7.1, so all that lime I'd been adding was making things worse. Now I test first and add nothing until I know what's actually missing. It took losing half a row of Romas to change my mind about free advice.

This is the same guy who tells you your torque wrench is "probably fine" and that you don't need to regear for 35s. Same energy as the barista who decides your espresso order needs less caffeine. Same as the dude at the bike shop who tunes your brakes so they rub "for break-in." People just can't help overriding the person who actually has to drive the thing. Eight psi on 35s is for rock crawling at walking pace, not whatever trail you were on.