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Omaha, Ne.

Last year was a cold year around here . But it was also a low disease year for me . So if disease spores have trouble making it through cold winters wouldn't it just add to the problem to till in the soil in the fall and bury all the disease spores. I would think they would have more trouble surviving on top of the soil through the winter ?

12/31/2014 10:51:10 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Last winter the frost went very deep and killed a lot of insect larvae. With fewer bugs to spread pathogens, less disease pressure. If you leave a lot of vegetative matter on the surface, it insulates the soil and the spores have a good area to survive in. That is why notill farmers have more disease problems. Since we add so much organic matter to our patches each year, I think it helps to till it in. Incorporating organic matter and oxygen stimulates the bacteria that break down the organic matter into compounds that the plants can absorb. Then plant a cover crop to keep the nitrogen from leaching out and protect the soil from erosion.

12/31/2014 11:13:17 AM

Colorado

Prob. doesn't affect fungal diseases because they overwinter as spores. Bugs maybe,i'm hoping squash bugs aren't liking this cold snap. I know when we have a dry winter its hard on the cucumber beetles.

12/31/2014 1:26:42 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Last year was the harshest winter our region had seen, squash bugs were atrocious. I think cycles play a larger part than weather.

2/3/2015 5:53:19 PM