Re: Nematodes in raised beds

Nematodes are the plague of Florida's sandy soils.  The fungi present in
organic composts seem to attack them and keep them down (some are actually
mobile and actively seek out the nematodes).  The Rare Fruit and Vegetable
Council of Broward County runs a fall training program on a raised bed
garden called a "Roman Garden" based upon the procedures Roman traveling
soldiers used in their conquest of Europe.  It consists of nearly 100"
leaves and mildly composted materials.  The productivity is quite
spectacular.  Nematodes are air breathing animals and therefore exist very
near the surface.  A liner under the bed may be a poor idea due to rots
from
lack of natural drainage.  But a vertical wall extending 18" below the
surface into the subsoil's may help minimize their entry from the
surrounding areas.  In commercial truck farm operations in this area
fields
have been flooded for 2 week periods to drown the little buggers once a
season.  I have planted some tropical root vegetables and have found that
nematodes seem to not affect them much such as boniato and yucca.

Don't forget that most vegetable gardens should be in NOW and most really
cool head forming vegetables generally perform  well as if the winter is
warm they tend to bolt before forming good heads.


Good luck,  Dean


"John Keller" <kakela1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:WVtqb.41338$SV2.7729@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> We are in ****t Saint Lucie and new to Florida, and are in the process of
> setting up some raised vegetable garden beds. Plans are to make them 16
to
> 24 inches tall and about 4' by 20'. We will be using recycled untreated
> concrete blocks for the sides. Our question involves nematodes. Having
read
> repeatedly how they can destroy a vegetable garden, is there anything we
> could do during the assembly of the raised beds that would minimize the
> effects of the nematodes such as barriers? Thank you in advance for your
> help.
>
>
> -- 
> <><><><><><><><><><>
> L. John Keller II
> Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may
be
in
> silence...
> kakela1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> or
> kakela1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>