Garden Minute - Soil Solarization

Feb. 4, 2019 

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

Soil Solarization is a process that uses clear plastic mulch that is effective in controlling soil-born pathogens and insects without the use of chemicals or herbicides prior to planting. The plastic sheets allow the sun's radiant energy to be trapped in the soil, heating the upper levels that kill many disease-causing organisms such as insects, nematodes, and weed seeds. 

To use solarization gardeners should us clear plastic sheeting of 1.5 mils or greater. The plastic sheet should be placed over a moist area with the edges weighted by soil or rocks during late spring or when outside temperatures reach 75 degrees or greater. Leave the plastic for about four weeks. 

The heating effects of soil solarization is the greatest at the surface of the soil and decreases with depth. The maximum temperature of soil solarized is usually from 108° to 131°F at a depth of 2 inches and from 90° to 99°F at 18 inches. Control of soil pests is usually best in the upper 4 to 12 inches.

Most beneficial insects such as earthworm will travel deeper or move out of the area. This technique can also be used on firewood and compost piles to the kill unwanted pests. It is more applicable on small gardens but can be used in between rows on furrow applications.

For more information about soil solarization please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

(Adapted from UC Davis Publication 21377 – Soil Solorization)

Garden Minute - Pocket Gopher Control

Pocket Gopher Control - January 22, 2019

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

Pocket gophers are common here in Quay County and are damaging to crops and vegetable gardens. They can chew up underground electric lines, water lines, and make unsightly mounds in lawns and gardens.

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents, named because they have fur-lined cheek pouches on either side of their mouth in which they carry food. Their diet consists of forbs, grasses, shrubs, and even small trees.

Pocket gophers can be identified by the soil mounds they leave on the surface of the ground. The mounds are usually fan-shaped, and the tunnel entrances are plugged, keeping intruders out of their burrows. These gophers are often confused with other rodents like ground squirrels and prairie dogs. 

Pocket gophers are not protected in New Mexico by federal or state law. Controlling Pocket gophers can be problematic because of their vast tunneling systems. Trapping is a good way to control gophers on small areas. Toxicants and fumigants can also be used but must be placed in their tunnel systems. Many are restricted use and the user should read and follow the directions carefully. 

Pocket gophers can also be beneficial in certain areas and can increased soil fertility, increased soil aeration, and decreased soil compaction. So control should be considered on a case by case basis. 

For more information about pocket gopher control please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

(Adapted from NMSU Guild L-109- Controlling Pocket Gophers in New Mexico)

Quay County AI School

NMSU Quay County Extension will be hosting a AI School for beef producers February 26th and 27th, 2019 at the Tucumcari Convention Center. Space is limited so RSVP to the office at 575-461-0562. Cost is $75. This is a Non-Certified course.