Parasitic Nematodes

[wwdnet]

According to the research I've done, and the evidence at hand, it appears that my garden soil is hosting root-knot nematodes. After losing about 6 tomato plants, I restarted and planted in 20" pots sitting on 4x4's. Those plants are doing fine. I planted some Nema-Gone (French marigold?), which makes lovely flowers and is supposed to keep the nematodes at bay. When the summer growing season is over, I plan to solarize the garden to fry the little devils. I will start my winter garden the same way and plan to leave the plastic on until next spring.


Looks just like the roots on my deceased plants...

This is not a huge garden - about 600 sq. ft. - and I have been told by my commanding officer, aka husband, that I can't have any more of the yard so I can't relocate it. While growing in pots is the short-term answer, I need to get my garden back to high-yield status next year.

Has anyone had any experience with the same problem? I could use some advice.

[Daelith]

I wonder if that's what is wrong with our garden this year. Tomatoes, corn and squash are looking horrible. The stuff done in raised beds is doing great.
And stink bugs are horrible this year.

[Benn Gleck]

Our tomatoes don't look too good but the cucumbers are doing great, potatoes are rotting some. the main problem here is rain, we've had rain almost every day for months.

[wwdnet]

Follow up to nematodes: I was telling a co-worker (biology/chemistry wizard) that I was going to solarize the garden again. She asked "Are you trying to bake the nematodes?" Looks like it's a more common problem than I realized. With tropical storm conditions moving in, I decided to wait until this weekend to put the black plastic down; too expensive to let it blow away! It's safe in my office for now.