Fix my soil/fungus/bacteria issues please!

13 years ago

I bought a house last fall with large gardens. Unfortunately, the previous owner had to leave the house for 2 months before we could move in so when we got there it was a jungle. We sort of slashed and burned to get it cleaned up and decided to sort it out next growing season. Fast forward to this year. I have tons of lovely perennials and planted lots of veggies. But I have been plagued by fungal and bacterial issues. I know that some things are out of my control like the deluges of rain and high humidity, but I suspect the 2 months of rampant unchecked growth left me with soil that is loaded with nasties. So my question is this -- is there anything I can add to the soil in the fall or next spring to help shift the balance back to my plants' favor. Thanks!

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Comments (8)

jean001
13 years ago
I seriously doubt that lapsed care for several months undid your soil. We've had way too much rain and cold here so far this year and the plants are "telling" us it's not to their liking. So without further details, I suggest the weather is causing most or all of the current problems.

Tell us specifically which plants have what sort of problems. If possible, post images because they help explain even more.

Also how you prepared the soil for the plants in trouble.
Kimmsr
13 years ago
There are some fungi and bacteria that are plant diseases but the vast majority are necessary for a good, healthy soil. So what to do depends on what you do have. Organic matter in the soil depends on many types of bacteria and fungi to be converted from what is put into the soil to something the plants can use as food to grow.
So other than a general "I have bacteria and fungi" what is it that you are seeing?

Here is a link that might be useful: The Soil Food Web Primer
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kellydz
Original Author
13 years ago
OK. Here is some more detailed info. All my tomatoes have bacterial spot. The areas where they were planted had compost dug into the soil prior to planting and were mulched with straw. When I first noticed tiny areas of spot on the lower leaves I pruned all the suckers within a foot of the ground and doused with neem oil. Despite this every few days it pops back up.

My zucchini, some of my dahlias, and a few others have powdery mildew. Despite pruning and neem it keeps coming back.

My hydrangeas (newly planted this spring) had been battling leaf spot most of the spring and were finally starting to look good and now one of them looks like it might have anthracnose. Did the same routine with them prune and neem early on. I actually think I may have used something non-organic from Bayer as well.

My daylilies (only the ones in the backyard) got some kind of rust.

And my most prized peonies (which I was told are over 30 years old) which bloomed beautifully and had no issues at all, in the past few days started developing black spots (about size of a nickel) on some of the leaves.

I am just confused because I thought I did things right with compost and mulch in the veggie gardens. And pruning and neem on everything. Any help would be great.

P.S. I do my best to not overhead water.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
It sounds like the climate is working against you, as Jean suggests.

Plant diseases lurk in all living soils. They are a part of the balance! It is only when we introduce a susceptible plant to that location AND provide an environment conducive to the disease that outbreaks occur. Sometimes we can alter the environment, but not when dealing with climactic problems.

Quite often, a soil that is left to its own devices ends up being very healthy and balanced. Remember, there are a great deal more beneficial bacteria and fungi out there than pathogens.
jean001
13 years ago
Overall, the problems you describe are air-borne rather than related to the soil.

Disease requires 3 things -- a susceptible plant; a disease organism (in general, these are freely available and are specific to the region you are in); and the environmental conditions (temperature & moisture are key).

Bottom line: The prevailing weather has your garden in its grip. Some years plants do well, others not so much.
taz6122
13 years ago
Neem isn't the best fungicide but it is a great insecticide. You might look into Serenade for an organic fungicide or Daconil(not so organic).
kellydz
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback. Glad to know I am doing everything that is within my control correctly. The long periods of dry heat followed my high humidity and huge deluge of rain this past weekend seem to be the culprit. Can't control that for sure. And I will definitely look into a different fungicide. I also decided to do lasagna gardening this fall so next spring those areas will be ready with nice compost. Thanks again!
Kimmsr
13 years ago
How much humus is in your soil?
What did a soil test tell you about nutrient levels?
How much compost was added to the soil, and how was it added?
How well does your soil drain?
How well does your soil retain moisture?
What did your soil smell like?
What kind of life does your soil have?
Plants growing in a good, healthy soil will be less susceptible to plant diseases and insect pests.

Fix my soil/fungus/bacteria issues please!

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jean001

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Fix my soil/fungus/bacteria issues please!

Comments (8)

jean001

Kimmsr

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kellydzOriginal Author

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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taz6122

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