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Sacramento, CA

I have just become aware of the problem that my enormous black walnut poses to my patch. Has anyone dealt with black walnuts and the "juglone" that they produce?

I will tell you what I have done because I am looking for new ideas. I do not have a choice on where I plant the pumpkins, as they are in the ground already and i dont have acreage like many folks on BigPumpkins do.

I have added several bags of potting soil and lots of bagged steer manure. I have trimmed back the leaves above the patch (as far as i can reach) and have crossed my fingers and toes.

Any other way to deal with the deadly juglone? Thanks for any help.

Matt

6/20/2006 11:44:50 PM

[email protected]

Juglone does a number on Rhododendron sp, & is no good for some vegetables. Cucurbita sp is mentioned here & there but doesn't seem to be as susceptible as some other plants. That said, I'd still locate the patch as far from that Walnut Tree as possible.

6/21/2006 7:01:19 AM

Ohio

Matt, I grew a 845lber about 75 yards from a big-ol black walnut and it grew fine,I also had Black Walnuts up above my upper patch as well. I would pick up walnuts that fell from the tree into my patch everday. I did make sure that my patch was clean of any leaves and nuts in the fall and spring before I tilled. I would also pull little walnut trees that have sprouted from the nuts that fell in my patch. I had no troubles but was kinda in your position,I pretty much had black walnut trees around all my patches. If I had a choice though I would try to plant as far from a black walnut as I could.

Brooks

6/21/2006 7:14:55 AM

Alex, IN

The leafs of the tree does not produce the chemical. The only two things that do produce it are the roots and the shells of the nuts. Hope that helps.

Mikkal

6/21/2006 10:19:00 AM

Sacramento, CA

Thanks for the info. The 'kins were planted at the edge of the canopy. I have since trimmed the canopy back 10 feet. But the 'kins will have to grow toward the walnut tree, since there is a wall the other way (that wall is the neighbor's house).

One thing I have noticed is that my AG's are growing very very slow. My Wyatts are doing great only 6 feet away. Anyone think that the Slow AG growth might be related to the proximety of the Walnut tree??

Should I just pile on the compost (store bought) and manure (also store bought) in order to dilute the juglone?

For next year, my plan is to make that tree half the size it is.

6/21/2006 11:29:24 AM

Alex, IN

Making the tree smaller probably wont help. Since the roots of the tree are growing under your patch.

6/21/2006 3:17:27 PM

Sacramento, CA

So I can either dig out all bad dirt, move or tear out the front lawn and grow them in front of the neighbors. I am not sure which one my wife will go for.

Matt

6/21/2006 4:28:26 PM

Oz

My neighbor had a tree real close to my boyhood garage.
The roots were cracking and raising up the cement floor.
Dad took a trencher and cut a trench parallel to the floor.
within months the cement went back down.
And the tree canopy that was hanging over the garage died back.

6/21/2006 4:36:55 PM

Sacramento, CA

mcPumpkin, I like the trencher idea, I just need to avoid the sewer main, eh?

Anyone, I read the following about Juglone from a reputable source:

Walnut leaves can be composted because the toxin breaks down when exposed to air, water and bacteria. The toxic effect can be degraded in two to four weeks. In soil, breakdown may take up to two months.

Any thoughts on how I get some bacteria action going in the patch? I have steer manure, potting soil and my native dirt in there now with my "fish and poop" fertilizer.

6/21/2006 6:27:39 PM

Alex, IN

I learned in my master gardener class(thru purdue university) That the leaves DO NOT contain the toxin. I have also heard this from several other educators around here.

6/21/2006 10:02:59 PM