Using Beneficial Nematodes

Before I start this post, for those of you who do not know about beneficial nematodes, here is an excerpt from a very good article by the University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science.

Beneficial nematodes are becoming much more popular for soil pest control. They feed on over 200 pests from up to 100 insect families. These pests are ones that either directly injure our desired lawn or plants, or immature grub stages of insects before they mature to adults that cause damage. Source

Usually, by late June it is too hot in Las Vegas, NV to order and have beneficial nematodes delivered to my garden. This is no exception. We are experiencing a record breaking heatwave and the forecasted weather models show 110° F temperatures for the next 3 weeks. However, there was a lucky break, an exception if you will.

I saw that the temperatures would drop significantly for 3 days and there would be rain! This meant I could have beneficial nematodes shipped to my garden, apply under cloudy weather and with ideal soil and environmental temperatures to boot.

Sure enough these nematodes arrived fast and early the next day from Nature's good guys.

Nematodes prefer low light conditions, soil temperatures below 90° and moist soil too.
Here is the included brochure from Nature's good guys, the company I bought these nematodes from.

As long as my soil is moist, I have sufficient mulches (living ie clover and non living ie straw) to keep the sun off the soil and can water thoroughly into the soil, then all should be good for the nematodes to survive.

I've heard 'soil scientists' from the Soil Food Web Foundation discuss how the predatory reactions from beneficial nematodes interacting with its prey; can be more beneficial than any fertilizer application.

I found a study to back this observation up.

The presence of nematodes significantly increased plant biomass production (+9%), net N (+25%) and net P (+23%) availability compared to their absence, demonstrating that nematodes link below- and above-ground processes, primarily through increasing nutrient availability. The experimental set-up presented allows to realistically quantify the crucial ecosystem services provided by the soil biota. Source

I am going to use a Chapin 32-ounce Wet/Dry multi purpose hose-end sprayer to apply the nematodes.

Amazon link (non sponsored link)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HSGN7LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_3P4312PKJ4R27DHRXCMT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It is not built the best and the plastic design makes it vulnerable to warping. But it still does the job. When applying nematodes using something like a sprayer; be mindful to keep psi from the hose low, around 70 psi.

I will apply these nematodes with that Chapin sprayer and then water them in deeply with a watering wand.

Notes
I am using well water. Be mindful of toxic chemicals in most city water that will instantly kill these microscopic organisms.

Also, I acquired enough to apply again in 7-10 days from today's application to ensure proper application/coverage.

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