Action Environmental Explores Soil Steam Sterilization in Bruno Vegetable Garden
Recently, Randy Tipton from Action Environmental spent time in the Bruno Vegetable Garden exploring a new technique to sterilize soil. The garden has had some problems with nematodes in the soil, and this new, environmentally-friendly method was used to disinfect the area for future planting. Pests of plant cultures such as weeds, bacteria, fungi and viruses are killed through induced hot steam which causes their cell structure to physically degenerate. Biologically, the method is considered a partial disinfection. Important heat-resistant, spore-forming bacteria survive and revitalize the soil after cooling down. Soil fatigue can be cured through the release of nutritive substances blocked within the soil. Steaming leads to a better starting position, quicker growth and strengthened resistance against plant disease and pests. Today, the application of hot steam is considered the best and most effective way to disinfect sick soil, potting soil and compost. It is being used as an alternative to bromomethane, whose production and use was curtailed by the Montreal Protocol.