How to Control Nematodes in Home Gardens
Root-knot nematodes are microscopic worms that live in poor, sandy soil and invade the roots of many plants, resulting in declining plant health as they lay eggs in the roots of host plants. Scar tissue forms in the infected roots where the nematode lives, blocking water and nutrients from flowing into the plant. Affected plants often die suddenly. When they are pulled from the ground, you can easily see the series of knots left by the infestation of nematodes. Although nematodes are very difficult to control, there are some methods available to stop them from becoming worse. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Avoid tilling the soil in the garden. Tilling and moving soil around spreads the nematodes from one place to another as they cling to the shovel or tiller surface. Nematodes generally are a localized problem. For example, in a row of otherwise healthy plants, you will see several plants decline suddenly. When that happens, it usually is the result of root-knot nematodes.
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Add plenty of well-rotted compost to the soil several times during the growing season. Organisms that live in compost and healthy soil will feed on nematodes as well as insect eggs.
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Add granulated molasses to the garden soil to encourage the organisms that feed on nematodes. Granulated molasses, also known as sweet lick, is a standard feeding amendment for horses, cows and pigs and can be found at most feed stores.
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Rotate crops so the same host plant is not planted in the same area every season.
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In the fall or early spring, plant elbon cereal rye grass over the garden area; standard rye grass will not control the nematodes. Elbon rye grass allows the nematodes to enter its root system, but because of the root system's rapid growth rate, the nematodes become trapped and die.
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