Posts Tagged ‘beneficial’
What do nematodes look like?
- Terrie Greco, B.A.; HLT Dip.
Now is the time to buy nematodes…
The warm weather is almost here. Time to care and show off your lawn. We are reposting one of our most read blog post, giving you great advice to achieve the best looking lawn of the season!
Following our blog last week, we received several emails asking what nematodes actually look like. Here are a few pictures. Keep those inquiries coming!
Nematodes- Steinernema carpocapsae
Nematodes -Steinernema carpocapsae – these nematodes have a ‘sit and wait’ style. They stay near the soil surface and ambush surface dwelling pests such as webworms, cutworms, armyworms (caterpillar larvae) June beetles and billbugs – to name a few. Most effective at temperatures between 22C-28C
Nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
- Heterorhabditis bacteriophora These nematodes work on destructive beetle, moth/butterfly larva – even termites and ants! They burrow down about 7” and actively seek out these pests. They are most effective in warmer soil – I guess you could say they’re like our neighbours to the south!
Nematodes Steinernema feltiae
- Nematodes – Steinernema feltiae – These nematodes tend to patrol the top three inches of soil and are most effective against fly larvae such as Craneflies and fungus gnats (to name a few). They are able to work at low temps as low as 10C. That’s chilly!
SOIL – IT’S NOT JUST DIRT!
By Terrie Greco, B.A.; HLT Dip.
Terrie Greco, B.A.; HLT Dip.
Great garden soil is more critical to overall plant health than anything else. Soil is a living complex teeming with micro-organisms just ready to do their jobs. A healthy soil can contain millions of beneficial bacteria, funguses, protozoa and nematodes – you get the picture. This complex food web is responsible for making nutrients more available to plants – and we all want healthy plants! How do we get and maintain a strong soil food web? Adding organic amendments such as compost or manure is the key. Soil is composed of sand, silt and clay in various amounts – in other words – mineral components. The addition of organic amendments pushes mineral soil particles apart to create pore spaces; increases moisture retention, encourages the growth of beneficial micro-organisms and helps transfer critical nutrients to root systems. If your soil is compacted, the roots have a tough time moving through the soil to access water. Adding soil amendments to your garden beds in the spring and fall creates an environment for your plants that encourages strong root systems, increased plant vigor, and reduces the incidence of pests and diseases. Top dress flower beds with 1” to 2” of organic matter, or aim to have a ratio of 1/3 organic matter to 2/3 soil in shrub beds.
Remember – your plants can’t pick themselves up and walk away if they don’t like where they live – it’s up to you to provide a healthy environment – and it starts with your soil.