Fumigation

[basketcase]

Got a book about wartime gardening recently (blowed if I can remember the title, but it wasn't Dig for Victory!)

It talked about fumigating the ground before planting. Having never heard of the practice, I was surprised to read a plant being recommended as being "good for fumigating the soil".

That's twice now! Obviously I know roughly what fumigation is, but is it recommended these days? And, if so, how do you do it - and can it be done 'Greenly'?

[sweetiepea]

Had to fumigate the house a few times after DB socks, but never heard of fumigating the ground! Sorry I can't help.

[pdblake]

I was surprised to read a plant being recommended as being "good for fumigating the soil".

What was the plant?

[Flummery]

I know people used to burn sulphur candles in the greenhouse - I should think that would kill just about everything - but no idea about plants or doing it in open ground. Makes you wonder what they thought was there that needed that kind of treatment?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Some of the old boys at the Hill water the bare ground with armillitox (sp?) to 'clean the soil' - I wonder if that's the same thing?

[pdblake]

I did a bit of googling but the only soil fumigation I could find is the modern nasty variety.

What's armillitox? Sounds like something armadillos catch

[Hazel at the Hill]

What's armillitox? Sounds like something armadillos catch

"Armillatox is not sold as a pesticide, insecticide or herbicide" but as a soap based cleaner ideal for patios and so on, according to web site.

Under European regs, it can no longer be classified as a pesticide, insecticide or herbicide, however they are at pains to point out that the formulation has not changed since it was sold as such.

[pdblake]

Sort of 'kill 'em all' product then?

Think I'll give it a miss.

[teakdesk]

Obviously I know roughly what fumigation is, but is it recommended these days?

Soil fumigation or sterilisation is done to kill diseases, fungal spores and insects.

It kills all life - ie the GOOD life that soil has as well as the bad life. When you add well rotted compost or manure you re-introduce life and hope that there is no "bad" life forms in it. Plants need a soil to be living to thrive.

Nowadays many people use grow-bags or containers with fresh living compost, rather than the soil beds, to avoid the need to sterilise the soil - ie at the end of the season the "old, contaminated" soil is removed and replaced with fresh next year.

I would only properly fumigate a greenhouse if a major disease had been there the previous season.

I was surprised to read a plant being recommended as being "good for fumigating the soil".

I suspect they may have been referring to companion planting - ie some insects, slugs etc do not like certain plants so they keep away.

It would be interesting to know what plant they were talking about.

[PAULW]

Mustard is supposed to be good for fumigating the soil against wireworm, cut down and dug in it gives off fumes as it rots that the wireworm dislike.

[IgglePiggle]

Mustard is supposed to be good for fumigating the soil against wireworm, cut down and dug in it gives off fumes as it rots that the wireworm dislike.

Abit like this then

Would like to know if that does work

[basketcase]

Mustard is supposed to be good for fumigating the soil against wireworm, cut down and dug in it gives off fumes as it rots that the wireworm dislike.

That's the one! Thanks, Paul.

Oh, and the book was Make Your Garden Feed You. Very interesting - and amazing how much of it is still current. Apart from the "Well you're bound to have wire worm under the grass, so fumigate" bit. I must look up what they advise and let you know.