Nematodes in gardening soil - Ask Extension
Hello!
I was referred to you by my garlic seed supplier.
After years of successful garlic gardening, this year my bulbs were small and brown.
The...
Knowledgebase
Nematodes in gardening soil #878463
Asked July 23, 2024, 4:29 PM EDT
Hello!
I was referred to you by my garlic seed supplier.
After years of successful garlic gardening, this year my bulbs were small and brown.
They suggested I have nematodes, and now my garlic investment cannot be eaten.
Also, they suggest the dirt for my garden should not be used for 1-2 years!
Can you extension provide me with soil testing for nematodes? And other qualities of the dirt?
I'd like to get the nematode testing done as soon as possible so I can know if the harvested garlic is infected or not.
I can send some garlic along, too if that's helpful.
Thank you!
Michelle Rochon<personal data hidden>
Aitkin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Good morning and thanks for your question. Having grown garlic for over 20 years, it has been referred to me. I will be glad to try and assist you.
There certainly are soil nematodes that can attack garlic bulbs. I've never encountered any but that, of course, doesn't mean they don't exist.
Here's what I would ask you to do. Please send me some pictures of two or three of the bulbs that you have pulled up. Ideally, these should be bulbs from different places in your garlic patch. Upon receiving the pictures, I should be able to get back to you within a few hours.
Looking forward to receiving your pictures. Thanks for consulting us.
