Any organic gardeners out there?

Question

I am in a region of the country where we plant our veggies now. I have prepared the soil & put black plastic over it to kill the nemotodes. How long do I need to wait before planting?

It's true that there are beneficial microbes in the soil, but here the nemotodes will eat the plants from the roots up.

Answer 1

I'm not sure why this is your first step... I'm not currently gardening, but I've read extensively on the subject. Bacteria in the soil are more likely to be beneficial than detremental are they not? Have you had your soil tested and determined an abundance of detremental nematodes?

According to Eliot Coleman, who I believe is one of, if not the most well-known organic gardeners in the world, it is better to focus on a "plant positive" methodology rather than a "pest negative" one.

"Research on nematodes has shown organic manuring of the soil to be important in overcoming nematode damage. The benefits that organic matter confers on the soil - improved structure, greater moisture-holding capacity, increased soil life, better plant nutrition - were all shown to be factors in preventing nematode infestation." This is a quote from Eliot's book, "The New Organic Grower. He cites the souce noted below.

If you are starting to grow organically by killing living things in the soil, how else have you prepared the soil?

My best advice would be to get a copy of Eliot's book... check your local library or university/college.

Answer 2

Yipes, this is pulling from way back in my brain.........when using steam heat, it was...soil temp 170 degrees for a couple of hours.......2-3, something like that.

So, get a soil thermometer.

Clear plastic might be better for rapid heating.

You realize once you've pasturized the soil, all the microbes are dead including the good guys....

Answer 3

a better way to kill nematodes is diatamacious earth, go to www.wbap.com and scroll on the page till you find the Dr. of Dirt, he is the premier organic Gardner in America. He has allot of awesome ideas and product suggestions.