“BRINGING SICK OR INFESTED PLANTS INTO
YOUR GARDEN IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON
WAYS TO SPREAD PESTS AND
disease.”
How to Get Rid of Harmful Nematodes
The first parasitic plant nematodes were noted in wheat seeds in
1743, followed by root knot nematodes on cucumbers in 1855, and
cyst nematodes on sugar beets in 1859. By the early 1900s, the field
of agricultural nematology had taken root. Nematodes were first
treated by soil fumigation in the 1940s, however, most nematicides
are now strictly regulated or banned due to their harmful effects on
the environment.
Nematodes may not move more than a meter in their lifetime,
but they can travel long distances in a variety of ways. They can
be carried on shoes, farm tools and equipment, in dirt that is
moved, in water during floods, and on plants and seeds. Dried
nematodes in their dormant state can even be carried in the wind.
These modes of travel make it challenging to quarantine and kill
nematodes, so the best option is to manage their populations as
best we can in our gardens.
Follow Proper Sanitation Practices
Because of the way nematodes can travel, it is important to follow
proper sanitation practices. Be sure to clean farm equipment,
tools, shoes, and clothing when
moving from field to field, or
garden to garden.
When bringing in new plants,
be sure to quarantine them for a
short time to make sure they are
healthy before introducing them
to your garden. You can also
check their roots for knots and
lesions before transplanting.
Bringing sick or infested plants
into your garden is one of the
most common ways to spread
pests and disease. This raises a
great argument for starting your
own plants from seed.
Crop rotation is an effective way to manage nematodes.
By planting non-host plants in alternating years, you can
decrease their populations. Cauliflower, broccoli, and millet
are ideal. French dwarf marigolds and common vetch are
effective when used as a cover crop and then turned into
the soil. Growing non-host plants for two years in a row will
significantly lower nematode populations.
You can also plant nematode-resistant varieties. For
example, many tomatoes are nematode-resistant, such as Best
Boy, Big Beef, French Rose, Lemon Boy, OG 50, Sugar Snack,
Supertasty, and Winter Red. Your seed catalogs should be able
to point you in the right direction.
Neem oil kills parasitic nematodes without harming
beneficial nematodes. Neem oil works by disrupt-ing their
growth cycle, which will prevent them from laying eggs before
they die off. Neem won’t harm most beneficial insects, such as
bees, and is also an effective fungicide and insecticide ideal
for preventative use.
Maximum Yield
45