How to get rid of nematodes?

Question

I have nematodes in my garden bed and they are playing havoc with my tomatoes, so bad that they didnt get any higher than a stunted 25" and fruited but what a joke that was. I pulled them up and instantly saw the nasty, swollen, short root system and knew it was nematodes. Does anyone know of a safe way to get rid of these that wont cost a fortune from a nursery.

Answer 1

They are a tough problem to deal with, but there are a few practices that can help control their populations.

Fallow:
Letting the soil sit fallow during the off-season is probably the single most important and effective cultural control measure available for nematodes. When food sources are no longer readily available, soil population densities of nematodes gradually decline with death occurring as a result of starvation. Due to the wide host range of many nematode species, weeds and crop volunteers must be controlled during the fallow period to prevent nematode reproduction and further population increase. The soil will need to be turned over at least twice during the fallow cycle.

Soil Amendments:
Many different types of amendments and composted materials have been applied to soil to suppress populations of plant parasitic nematode and improve crop yield and plant health. Animal manures, poultry litter, and disk-incorporated cover crop residues are typical examples of soil amendments used in agriculture to improve soil quality and as a means for enhancing biocontrol potential of soil. Some amendments which contain chitin and inorganic fertilizers that release ammoniacal nitrogen into soil suppress nematode populations directly and enhance the selective growth of microbial antagonists of nematodes.

Soil Solarization:
Soil solarization is a nonchemical technique in which transparent polyethylene tarps are laid over moist soil for a 6 to 12 week period to heat noncropped soils to temperatures lethal to nematodes and other soil-borne pathogens. Soil temperatures are magnified due to the trapping of incoming solar radiation under the clear, polyethylene panels. To be effective, soils must be wetted and maintained at high soil moisture content to increase the susceptibility (thermal sensitivity) of soil borne pests and thermal conductivity of soil.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Eliminate Nematodes

Answer 3

They are extremely difficult to erradicate. You will have to use methyl bromide gas (which you will not be able to obtain, since it is a very dangerous chemical) and then, cover the entire area with a plastic tarp. Pump the gas under it and let it stand for a week. However, if you want great results from tomatoes, there is a better way.
Get a five gallon bucket, cut a hole in the bottom of it about 3 inches in diameter. Turn it right side up, place a piece of cardboard down in the bottom. Fill the bucket with dirt and place the lid on. Punch a very small hole in the lid for a drip feeder. Turn the bucket back upside down, cut a cross hole in the cardboard and put your tomato plant inside. Now...flip it right side up and hang the handle on a hook. Your tomatoes will be growing upside down, with water from the drip (that you placed in the small hole in the lid) keeping them moist. You get a 50% yield increase and the branches do not snap off from weight. No problems with any bugs from the ground either, including cut worms.

try it...it is a fantasic way to grow tomatoes. good luck

Answer 4

Marigolds are a natural nematicide. In fact, there was a new hybrid recently specificly bred as a nematode killer. Just interplant marigolds in among your Tomatoes. This also works to prevent root problems with root crops (root knot nematode).

Answer 5

shout Fuhlookuhkooo!!!!!