The health of a garden and its ecosystem largely depend on the condition of the soil. Beneath its surface lies a whole world of microorganisms, insects, and invertebrates that play a key role in maintaining the balance and health of plants. Among them, nematodes hold a special place — microscopic worms that can be either pests or allies for gardeners. At Ecolandscape Studio, we are confident that beneficial nematodes are an effective and environmentally safe solution for controlling garden pests.
Nematodes: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Nematodes are microscopic worms that live in the soil and play an important role in decomposing organic matter, converting it into nutrients for plants. However, there are both harmful and beneficial types of nematodes. Harmful root-knot nematodes, such as Meloidogyne spp., damage plant roots, leading to weakening or even death of the plant. In contrast, beneficial nematodes like Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora actively help combat harmful soil insects without causing damage to plants or the environment.
«In our practice, we have frequently used beneficial nematodes to protect our projects, and we can confidently say that they deliver excellent results when applied correctly,» shares Martin Palma, founder and CEO of Ecolandscape Studio. «They are not only an effective but also an environmentally safe protection method, ideal for sustainable gardening.»
How Do Beneficial Nematodes Combat Pests?
Beneficial nematodes are natural «sanitarians» that enter the bodies of pests such as cutworm larvae, root weevils, and other soil insects. Inside the pest’s body, the nematodes begin their life cycle, killing it and thus reducing the population of harmful organisms.
The advantage of these nematodes lies in their high specificity. They target only the pests they can interact with, which eliminates the risk of affecting other living organisms such as beneficial insects or animals. This approach is a key element of sustainable gardening, as it allows for pest control without the use of chemical pesticides. At Ecolandscape Studio, we recommend using nematodes as the primary method for protecting your plants.
How to Properly Apply Nematodes?
To ensure that beneficial nematodes are effective, it’s important to consider several factors. First, you need to choose the right type of nematode for combating specific pests. Beneficial nematodes work best in warm weather, so their application is recommended in the spring and late summer to early autumn.
«I personally always recommend using nematodes at the beginning of the season, when the soil temperature is optimal for their activity,» shares Martin Palma. «This ensures not only their effectiveness but also guarantees that they will not lose their activity due to unfavorable weather conditions.»
Beneficial nematodes are typically sold as a solution that needs to be diluted with water and sprayed onto the surface of the soil. After application, it is important to thoroughly water the area so that the nematodes penetrate the soil to a depth of about 5 cm, where many pests live. It is also crucial to maintain soil moisture for two weeks after treatment to create optimal conditions for nematode reproduction.
Where to Purchase Beneficial Nematodes?
Beneficial nematodes can be purchased from specialized stores or online. At Ecolandscape Studio, we recommend choosing high-quality organic products that provide effective and safe protection for your garden. It’s important to buy from trusted suppliers to ensure the freshness and activity of the nematodes.
Keep in mind that nematodes have a shelf life, and their effectiveness may decrease over time. Therefore, always use them as soon as you receive them, following the instructions on the packaging.
Beneficial nematodes are a powerful tool in the arsenal of ecological gardening, allowing for effective pest control without resorting to chemical pesticides. At Ecolandscape Studio, we believe they are ideal for creating healthy, balanced ecosystems in the garden.
Using nematodes in your garden will help reduce the population of soil pests, improve soil health, and increase plant resilience. It’s important to remember that to achieve the best results, nematodes should be used according to recommendations and with consideration of the climate conditions.
«By following all the recommendations and using nematodes at the right time, you can significantly improve the condition of your garden, ensuring its healthy development without harming the environment,» concludes Martin Palma. We are confident that when applied correctly, beneficial nematodes will become a valuable and reliable ally in your gardening toolkit.
