Raised Bed, Juglone, Red Oak, HELP

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haask East Dundee, IL Mar 23, 2014

I have a vegetable garden south of a HUGE red oak. After years of great yields, the plants closest to the red oak began to die. I finally figured out that it was juglone poisoning. (Think Black Walnut). Without getting into too much detail, there’s no doubt about the cause of my plants demise.

Since Red Oaks give off much less juglone than Black Walnuts, I decided to try to live with the situation. Last year I used a post hole digger to dig down and sever the small roots in the hole, backfilled the hole with rich soil, then planted in the backfilled holes. IT WORKED! This technique resulted in zero plants lost throughout the season. So this little experiment tells me that it is possible to grow vegetables near the Oak by simply separating the roots from each other.

Fast forward to this year. I would like to switch to raised beds on the part of the garden closest to the red oak. I would like to set the raised beds on landscape fabric to keep the Oak’s roots from coming into contact with my vegetables. My raised beds will be 24 inches high, and sit directly on the landscape fabric.

My questions are: Does anyone see a better solution to the problem (besides cutting down my neighbor’s 100 foot oak)? Will a 24 inch high raised bed be OK for tomatoes? Will the landscape fabric allow proper draining if the bed just sits on top of it?
Thanks!

Post #9795965
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Seedfork Enterprise, AL(Zone 8b) Mar 23, 2014

I think what you are suggesting is the recommended procedure in your situation. The 24 inch depth with landscape material seems to be the standard procedure and that should be deep enough for tomatoes and the drainage should be sufficient.
You could consider planting more resistant type vegetables in that area and the more sensitive ones further away from the tree.
I found these as being resistant to juglone:
Onion
Beets
Squash and Melons
Carrot
Parsnips
Beans
Corn

Post #9796059
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haask East Dundee, IL Mar 23, 2014

Thanks for the input Seedfork. Your suggestion of putting more-resistant plants nearer the Oak is how I have been coping for a few years now. However, it limits my rotations. Also, interestingly enough, the "juglone zone" seems to expand a bit every year. It seems that the Oak really likes my garden soil.

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behillman Plantersville, TX(Zone 9a) Mar 24, 2014

I'm sure your Red Oak is getting nutrients & water from your vegetables. Maybe you will beable to keep that away from the Oak with the fabric cloth.I am gardening over black plastic, & the only disadvantage I have is to having to water more often. On the plus side, my plants have never drowned from too much water. Carrots,onions, do very well. I think the tomatoe needs more root space.

Post #9796936
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