- What are nematodes?<\/a><\/li>
- How to identify nematode damage in your garden<\/a><\/li>
- How to get rid of nematodes in your garden<\/a>
- Solarize the soil<\/a><\/li>
- Use a cover crop<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to prevent nematode damage in your garden<\/a>
- Keep your tools clean<\/a><\/li>
- Choose nematode-resistant varieties<\/a><\/li>
- Rotate your crops<\/a><\/li>
- Till your heart out<\/a><\/li>
- Give the soil a rest<\/a><\/li>
- Keep a healthy garden<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- A garden restored<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
![\"Root](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/30020875542_a1bc415352_c_800.jpg\")
Root knot nematodes | Scot Nelson<\/a> | Flickr | Public domain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> What are nematodes?<\/span><\/h2>
Nematodes are a type of unsegmented roundworm. Some of these roundworms, called plant-parasitic nematodes<\/strong>, cause damage in agriculture, turfgrass, and home gardens. <\/p>
How is it that these nematodes wreak so much havoc? Plant-parasitic nematodes<\/a> have a needle-like, piercing mouthpart called a stylet. This sharp appendage allows them to pierce plant roots and take nutrition from the cells. This action weakens the plant by interfering with the root system\u2019s ability to uptake nutrients and water. In other words, the plant can\u2019t get adequate food or water to nourish itself.<\/p>
Here are a few common plant-parasitic nematode species that affect home vegetable gardens:<\/p>
- Cyst nematodes<\/li>
- Dagger nematodes<\/li>
- Northern root-knot nematodes<\/li>
- Reniform nematodes<\/li>
- Ring nematodes<\/li>
- Root knot nematodes<\/li>
- Root lesion nematodes<\/li>
- Sting nematodes<\/li>
- Stubby root nematodes<\/li>
- Stunt nematodes<\/li><\/ul>
Note:<\/strong> In Northern and Southern states, the northern root-knot and root-knot nematodes, respectively, are among the most common plant-parasitic nematodes in home gardens. They are both members of the Meloidogyne<\/em> species.<\/p>
Other nematodes you may be familiar with are beneficial nematodes<\/strong>. These nematodes are different in that they have no stylet and therefore cannot harm plants. Beneficial nematodes<\/a> are often used by home gardeners to control pests such as fleas, ticks, borers, thrips, and other unwanted insects.<\/p>
![\"Cyst](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/14890656417_cc7e050126_k_800.jpg\")
Cyst nematode damaged sweet potato | Scot Nelson<\/a> | Flickr | Public domain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> How to identify nematode damage in your garden<\/span><\/h2>
Now that you know how these microscopic critters suck the life out of your plants, how do you know whether you have a nematode problem or if it\u2019s some other problem, like grubs<\/a>? Here are some things to look for:<\/p>
- Stunted growth<\/li>
- Plant decline or poor performance and yield<\/li>
- Leaf yellowing<\/li>
- Galls, swelling, or knots on roots (usually from root-knot nematodes)<\/li>
- Roots that have egg cysts (from the cyst nematode)<\/li><\/ul>
It\u2019s good to keep an eye out for these symptoms, but they\u2019re not sufficient for a diagnosis. The plant symptoms from nematode damage mimic many other issues, such as drought stress, insect damage, or disease. Therefore, the only way to identify nematodes is to send a soil sample to a lab. <\/p>
The nematode test results will include which type(s) of nematodes you have, the population level, and whether treatment is necessary. If treatment is necessary, the test will provide guidelines for control, as well.<\/p>
Since sampling for nematodes is slightly different from sampling for a standard soil test, go to your state\u2019s Cooperative Extension website for instructions on how to sample<\/a> for nematodes. Although you can sample for lawn<\/em> nematodes any time of the year<\/a>, sampling for nematodes in the garden<\/em> should be done from August to October, according to Auburn University<\/a>. This timeframe may vary depending on the crop and where you live.<\/p>
![\"Soil](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/SOIL_SOLARIZATION_800.jpg\")
Soil solarization | RAHUL143<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> How to get rid of nematodes in your garden<\/span><\/h2>
If nematodes have decimated your vegetable garden, you want them to be gone ASAP. Here are a few ways to reduce nematode populations in your garden.<\/p>
Solarize the soil<\/span><\/h3>
Soil solarization<\/a> is an effective tool for any garden fighting against a nematode infestation. Here\u2019s how to solarize the soil in your garden:<\/p>
- Buy a clear <\/strong>plastic tarp: UV stabilized, 1-4 mm polyethylene or PVC <\/li>
- Till the soil until there are no clumps, debris, or large air pockets.<\/li>
- Lightly moisten the soil. Leave drip irrigation in the area to maintain moist soil throughout the process.<\/li>
- Bury the edges of the tarp a few inches deep to prevent displacement.<\/li>
- Leave the tarp on for four to six weeks in the summer or six to eight weeks in spring or fall. (This is a good rule of thumb for Southern states. In the North, the timetable may be longer.)<\/li><\/ol>
The soil needs to reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill weed<\/a> seeds and nematodes in the top 6-8 inches. It won\u2019t eliminate the nematodes completely, but it will greatly reduce their numbers.<\/p>
Use a cover crop<\/span><\/h3>
Cover crops are simply a crop that will increase organic matter, control weeds, or add beneficial nutrients, among other things. In other words, it\u2019s not a crop you\u2019ll harvest and sell or eat; it\u2019s a crop that builds and rejuvenates the soil in preparation for next season.<\/p>
Cover crops (aka \u201cgreen manure\u201d and \u201cliving mulch\u201d) are popular with home gardeners and in large-scale farming for their soil-boosting benefits, but they can be beneficial for nematode control as well. <\/p>
The idea behind cover crops for nematode control is this: By using a poor host or non-host plant, you deprive the nematodes of food which will greatly reduce, though not eliminate, the population.<\/strong> Nematodes don\u2019t move very far in the soil, so if a food source is no longer present in the immediate area, they\u2019ll die fairly quickly. (Cyst nematodes, and others, are exceptions to this rule.)<\/p>
How long you\u2019ll need to use cover crops depends on the species of nematode in the soil, how many nematodes are present, and the main crop\u2019s level of resistance to that nematode. A nematode soil analysis is necessary to know how many seasons you\u2019ll need to use a cover crop before you can plant a crop again. <\/p>
Which cover crop<\/a> is best? Again, it depends on the type of nematode present. Also, different cultivars of the same cover crop species can have widely differing effects on nematode populations. Once you have your nematode test results, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to the lab or to your local Cooperative Extension Office for advice.<\/p>
![\"Clean](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/pexels-emmanuel-najera-5934017_800.jpg\")
Emmanuel Najera<\/a> | Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> How to prevent nematode damage in your garden<\/span><\/h2>
Unfortunately for your garden, nematodes will never go away completely, but there are steps you can take to keep them at a manageable level.<\/p>
Keep your tools clean<\/span><\/h3>
Clean tillers, garden tools, and cultivators between uses. Nematodes that hitch a ride will spread to other areas. Without this kind of \u201cfree ride,\u201d nematodes will stay more localized and spread much more slowly.<\/p>
Choose nematode-resistant varieties<\/span><\/h3>
Some vegetable varieties are resistant to certain species of nematodes, such as the problematic root-knot nematode. If you\u2019ve had problems in past years, here are a few examples of plant varieties that resist root-knot nematode damage:<\/p>
- Buy a clear <\/strong>plastic tarp: UV stabilized, 1-4 mm polyethylene or PVC <\/li>
- Choose nematode-resistant varieties<\/a><\/li>
- Use a cover crop<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to identify nematode damage in your garden<\/a><\/li>
![\"Mother](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kid-freindly-edible-garden_800.jpg\")
![RAHUL143<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons |](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:SOIL_SOLARIZATION.jpg\"){kind=link}