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Williamsport, Pa.

i've been plauged with disiese folier and root for the last few years. you name it fulsarium, pythium, just about all of stuff. last year after pulling 2 plants in late june i planted mighty mustard,grew it to maturity and then tilled in.then planted a second crop in august after my third pumkin went down.planted a crop there too..should i plant mustards and cover this year, solerise the soil or go for it?? what would you do?

1/23/2014 9:22:26 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. After pulling the plants, I planed rape, in the mustard family, but didn't till it in until spring. I dug drainage ditches to drain the soil better to cut down on pythium. The next year I used systemic fungicide and daconil, used some beneficial bacteria products, increased myco application, and had good response. I did lose one plant to early root rot last year. I don't think you ever totally eliminate the disease problems, but you can control them.

1/23/2014 4:51:47 PM

Going Green

Add organic matter to your soil to increase the pathogen-fighting microbe populations up to 1,000-fold. Compost, the most valuable kind of organic matter, also acts as a source of food and shelter for the good microbes, which help prevent the germination of fungal spores. In addition, by promoting good drainage, compost eliminates the overly wet soil conditions many pathogens need. As it matures, compost becomes more suppressive, so use only your best black-gold compost. Apply organic matter that has not fully decomposed at least four months before planting. Adding calcium controls many soil diseases and Microbial Fungi are essential in fighting soil diseases. Eliminate any places where the soil is wet some or most of the time by adding lots of compost.

1/23/2014 4:54:10 PM

Going Green

I think Iowegian is giving great advice!

1/23/2014 4:57:14 PM