Final report for FNC23-1370
Project Information
As co-owner of Whitewater Gardens Farm, I have been sustainably growing produce for 26 years. In attending and presenting at organic conferences, field days and workshops, along with networking with many local growers, I have continued to learn much about sustainable agriculture over the years. I have been active in organizations including the Minnesota Farmers Market Association (Board member 2018-2022), Land Stewardship Project Soil Health Steering Committee (2018-Present), Sustainable Farming Association (mid-1990s-mid-2010s), and others. I also have research experience gained from collaborative crop studies and trials including: 2015 high tunnel disease survey through University of Minnesota; 2013-2017 potato trials with University of Wisconsin at Madison; 2002-2003 compost tea research through Energy and Sustainable Agriculture program at Minnesota Department of Agriculture; and others.
In 1990 my husband Lonny and I purchased Whitewater Gardens Farm which consisted of 120 acres. We have since sold 40 of those acres. All the cropland at the time was in the conservation reserve program. Before that the cropland had been on a corn and soybean rotation and had been badly eroded with no topsoil left. We have worked hard to improve our seaton silt loam soils to produce healthy vegetable crops .
In 1996 we began growing a wide variety of vegetables for farmers markets, wholesale accounts and Community Supported Agriculture using sustainable growing practices on approximately 15 acres. Several years ago, we decided to drop our CSA and concentrate more on wholesale. Our main crops have been carrots, sweet potatoes, fall brassicas, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and salad greens. Around 2000 we added a hoop house, and in 2010 we built a two-bay gutter connect greenhouse for various crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and ginger. Since then, we have added four additional hoop houses. In 2017 we certified organic through the Midwest Organic Services Association . Our farming practices have included cover cropping, rotation, tillage, and cultivation, but we would like to move to more no-till/minimal till practices because of the proven benefits to soil health.
Beyond the day-to-day work of farming, we have hosted on-farm outreach events and field days for local organizations including: 2019 tour with Riverway Learning Center K-12 students; 2017 four tours with Lewiston/Altura K-12 students; 2016 University of Minnesota Extension collaboration with staff from the University of Kenya working on farmer outreach; and other events for diverse groups. We have also hosted dinners on the farm featuring local products and chefs (2008-2013).
Tillage disrupts the soil microbiome and, while it leads to short-term gains, ultimately this reduces soil health, increases compaction, and propagates weeds. By comparison, no-till methods, or practices which limit or eliminate mechanical turnover of soil layers, stimulate the growth of natural microorganisms which help to make soil nutrients more biologically available, increase organic matter content, and can reduce overall labor while yielding successful harvests.
No-till farming methods are increasingly part of the dialogue in conventional crop farming, but the techniques employed at large scales are not practical or accessible for small vegetable growers. Multiple recent references (Mefford 2022, 2019; Mays 2020; O’Hara 2020) offer no-till recommendations, but there is little practical guidance for small-scale, organic vegetable farming. Especially in the Midwest, these farms are highly diversified and require flexibility in approach. On our farm, we see little improvement from year to year by tilling our fields, which have highly variable soil, significant compaction, and weed pressure from foxtail and Canada thistle.
This project aimed to build understanding for no-till farming methods for vegetable growers by piloting three recommended approaches, comparing results for soil and crop health and economic viability, and sharing results with other growers.
The primary goal of this study is to test recommended methods of no-till vegetable growing to identify the most sustainable approach in terms of soil health, labor investment, and crop health and yield. Over the 2023 and 2025 growing seasons (2024 we were granted an extension due to weather conditions), we compared three no-till treatments with a control (tilled) approach in a randomized test plot with both observed and measured outcomes. Educational outreach for this project included on-farm field days in addition to sharing results and lessons learned with other growers and researchers.
As of December 2023, we successfully initiated the test plot, collected soil temperature, plant health, and observational data, received analytical results from pre- and post-growing season soil tests, and shared results in one on-farm field day and related educational outreach, despite extreme drought and pest conditions which limited the growing season to August-October.
References:
- Mefford 2022, Practical No-Till Farming
- Mefford 2019, The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution
- Mays 2020, The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm
- O’Hara 2020, No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture
In 2024 our project had been delayed due to excessive rain late spring into early summer this year. We were able to plant cover crops on the control beds as well as the deep compost beds early in the spring. We also replanted the Dutch white clover in the living mulch beds since we had no germination last year. Both the cover crops and the clover germinated and did well. We were able to flail mow these beds before the heavy rains began.
Before we could prepare the beds further for planting the rains began dropping large amounts every couple of days for the entire late spring into early summer. Since our soil is very heavy clay the excess moisture kept us from planting and maintaining the project beds. With the excess moisture weeds, especially quack grass crept into the beds.
The ground finally dried out, but we felt it was too late in the season to plant the crop planned for the 2024 season (sweet peppers) successfully and collect relevant data for the project. Our modified plan was to till the control beds and plant a fall cover crop that would freeze back over the winter. The deep compost mulch and cut and carry beds were tarped to kill back the weeds and quack grasses that have crept in, and the living mulch beds were mowed to keep weeds back and encourage the clover.
In spring of 2025 we continued the project that was planned for 2024 to complete the study.
We prepared and planted the test beds, collected observational data, received analytical results from pre- and post-growing season soil tests, and compared beginning and ending test data. Results were shared in several on-line presentations, a field day, conference presentations, and in hosting a round-table workshop.
It was very clear that in working with our poor soils, just implementing the study treatments without any other inputs, our soils actually went backwards in soil health. Nutrient imbalances were clear in some of the treatments and in others, there just wasn't any improvement. We feel that a more aggressive approach is needed to increase soil health, whether no-till or minimal till is used.
Initially, both the deep compost and cut and carry beds discouraged weed pressure. But over the course of the study, weeds, especially quack grass and Canada thistle, crept into the beds and needed constant attention. Labor ultimately did not very much in the total amount of time spent on the beds, just was needed at different times over the season. Initial labor on the deep compost and cut and carry mulch, was mostly at the beginning of the season, but for the control beds, spread out over the season. Deep compost mulch was by far the most expensive option and pest pressure did not very much over the treatments.
Given what we have observed from this study, it has been our decision that for us, using a hybrid approach would be the most beneficial for our farm. This would include adding a smaller amount of compost to our growing beds (approximately one inch) lightly worked into the soil and then cover with approximately six inches of hay or straw mulch. We fell that this approach will add fertility to the soil and discourage weed growth while protecting the soil from sun and excess rain. We may also include routine additions of compost tea or extracts and along with other bacterial or fungal foods in the hope that this will also aid in encouraging soil biology.
We proposed to compare three distinct no-till treatment methods with a traditional (tilling) approach to identify the most sustainable. The results helped us plan for and modify no-till methods on our farm and provided valuable, practical results to share with other vegetable growers.
After review of the most recent literature, we have selected the following no-till treatment methods to study:
- Treatment A: Occultation of cover crop with weed fabric; residue topped with 6 inches of compost. Plant transplants into compost. Maintenance would include hand weeding and hoeing of annual and perennial weeds. This method is being used by several farms switching to no-till methods.
- Treatment B: Flail mow cover crop with a walk-behind-tractor flail mower. Plant transplants into mowed residue and mulch with 6 inches of chopped hay or straw. Maintenance would include hand weeding only. A version of this method has been promoted by Jan-Hendrik Cropp, a German farmer.
- Treatment C: Flail mow cover crop with walk-behind-tractor flail mower. No-till seed clover into residue to grow a living mulch. Plant transplants into seeded residue. Maintenance would include hand weeding only. This method builds upon a SARE grant study by Dana Jokela of Sogn Valley Farm (FNC19-1171), taking his approach one step further by not tilling the bed and monitoring the biological and nutrient activity in the soil.
- Treatment X: Our control method will be a traditional tilling approach including tilling in the cover crop and transplanting directly into prepared soil. Maintenance would include hand weeding and hoeing.
We tested these three methods in a plot on our farm in southeastern Minnesota over two growing seasons (2023 and 2025, 2024 being an extension year). The plot (see attached diagram) will have a total area of 6,250 square feet (about 1/6 acre) arranged in 12 beds.
Each bed was 2.5 feet wide by 100 feet long, with 2.5-foot pathways between beds. Our planned arrangement allows for randomization of each method, including the control, in each of the three replicates, which will reduce the impact of confounding variables and allow us to correct for natural variation across the plot.
Initial preparation consisted of tilling the entire block and forming beds with a tractor-drawn bed shaper raised to approximately 6 inches. All beds began with an initial cover crop of a mix of oats, field peas, and buckwheat. Over the 23-month project duration, we planted two cycles of spring and fall cover crops in addition to a cash crop (cauliflower in 2023 and peppers in 2025) throughout the plot. The no-till treatments will be applied separately to each row.
To identify the most sustainable no-till approach, we will collect soil samples and make routine observations throughout the plot as described in the “measuring results” section. Observations were recorded using a monthly log for each of the 12 beds. Data was entered into spreadsheets for statistical analysis. We ceased data collection by December 31, 2025, to allow time for statistical analysis and reporting.
The objectives of this project include:
- Evaluate which of the three treatment methods provides the largest gains in soil health over the project duration by comparing soil sample data and quantitative observations.
- Establish a practical, sustainable balance between labor investment and ecological benefit of three no-till treatments by comparing return on labor with measured soil and crop health.
- Share study progress, results, and practical implementation techniques with other small vegetable growers through farm field days and publication or conference presentations.
Research
After review of the most recent literature, we selected the following no-till treatment methods to study:
- Treatment A: Occultation of cover crop with weed fabric; residue topped with 6 inches of compost. Plant transplants into compost. Maintenance including hand weeding and hoeing of annual and perennial weeds. This method is being used by several farms switching to no-till methods.
- Treatment B: Flail mow cover crop with a walk-behind-tractor flail mower. Plant transplants into mowed residue and mulch with 6 inches of chopped hay or straw. Maintenance would include hand weeding only. A version of this method has been promoted by Jan-Hendrik Cropp, a German farmer.
- Treatment C: Flail mow cover crop with walk-behind-tractor flail mower. No-till seed clover into residue to grow a living mulch. Plant transplants into seeded residue. Maintenance including hand weeding only. This method builds upon a SARE grant study by Dana Jokela of Sogn Valley Farm (FNC19-1171), taking his approach one step further by not tilling the bed and monitoring the biological and nutrient activity in the soil.
- Treatment X: Our control method will be a traditional tilling approach including tilling in the cover crop and transplanting directly into prepared soil. Maintenance including hand weeding and hoeing.
These three methods are being tested in a plot on our farm in southeastern Minnesota over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024). The plot (Figure 1) has a total area of 6,250 square feet (about 1/6 acre) arranged in 12 beds. Each bed is 2.5 feet wide by 100 feet long, with 2.5-foot-wide pathways between beds. Our arrangement allows for three replicates of each method, including the control, which reduces the impact of confounding variables and allows us to correct for natural variation in the soil within the plot.
Over the 23-month project duration, we planned to plant two cycles of spring and fall cover crops in addition to a cash crop (cauliflower in 2023 and peppers in 2024) throughout the plot.
The first portion of the study was conducted between June-December 2023. While our study plan called for all beds to begin with an initial cover crop of a mix of oats, field peas, and buckwheat, due to severe drought conditions in 2023, the initial cover crop was not planted, and the test plot remained fallow until June 2023. When the field could be worked in June, initial preparation consisted of tilling the entire block and forming beds with a tractor-drawn bed shaper and raising to approximately 6 inches.
Prior to planting the 2023 cash crop (cauliflower), 6 inches of compost mulch was spread on the “A” rows and 6 inches of cut and carry, dairy grade alfalfa hay mulch was applied to the “B” rows. Due to the drought conditions, the living mulch struggled to germinate after two plantings, so “C” rows were functionally the same as “X” (control) rows in year 1. Fall cauliflower was planted August 2 (Figure 2), a little later than we would usually plant brassicas, but we were hoping weather conditions would prove to be less stressful on the transplants. On a year with no drought, we could have still harvested a crop. However, most of the plots stayed at a standstill though most of the year even though we used drip irrigation once a week overnight with a low flow of one quart per hour. Also, no crops were harvested due to these conditions. The entire test plot was flail-mowed on December 7, 2023.
To identify the most sustainable no-till approach, we collected soil samples and made routine measurements and observations throughout the plot. Observations are being recorded in a field notebook and measurement data is being entered into spreadsheets for statistical analysis. We will cease data collection by December 31, 2024, to allow time for statistical analysis and reporting.
In 2023, soil samples were collected in August (prior to planting the cauliflower cash crop) and December (after mowing all remaining plant material). Generic nutrient analysis and a Haney soil test were completed for both August and December soil samples, and a Soil Food Web test was completed for the pre-season sample. Soil temperatures were recorded on a hot day in early October and a cold day in late October. Compaction was measured with a penetrometer in early October (Figure 3). A Brix test was performed in each bed in early October but could not be performed later in the season due to drought conditions. Labor hours and field observations of soil and crop health were recorded throughout the season.
In the second portion of the study in March 2025, control rows were tilled and rows “C” along with paths were seeded with Dutch White Clover with a tractor and set in with tine weeder. Rows “A”, “B” and “C” were mowed with a BCS walk behind tractor with a flail mower attachment (Figure 4). In June rows “X” were once again tilled, and King Crimson sweet bell peppers were planted using a hand drill with a bulb attachment in all rows. To ensure good root contact with the soil, rows “A” was spread with 6 inches of compost mulch, and 6 inches of dairy grade alfalfa hay mulch were applied to rows “B” after planting. Clover in rows “C” was sparse but present.
Since we had adequate rainfall in 2025 there was no need to add irrigation. Peppers were harvested several times throughout the season when fruits were beginning to color, and harvest from each treatment was weighed and compared. Fruit and plant health, along with insect and weed pressure were observed and recorded at harvest times.
Soil samples were collected in July and November 2025 for generic nutrient analysis and Haney soil tests. Soil Food Web testing was completed for a post study sample in November 2025.
Our year 1 results include observations, soil measurements, and analytical results from June-December 2023.
One of the primary observations that we had was a huge difference in growth between the mulched beds versus control beds and living mulch that did not germinate (Figure 4). The plants in the mulched beds (A and B) were substantially larger than the non-mulched beds (C and X). Though all the beds were very slow to grow due to the weather conditions, the mulched beds were the only beds to start trying to produce cauliflower heads even though they did not grow large enough for harvest.
Weed pressure was also different between both the deep compost/cut and carry beds and the control/living mulch beds. The only real weed problem on both mulched beds was Canada thistle while the control/living mulch beds had grasses, chickweed and other weeds as well as the Canada thistle.
Almost all beds had the same insect pest issues, including grasshoppers mid-summer and cabbage moths late summer. We did one application of Bt to mitigate the cabbage moth damage. However, both mulched treatments grew out of the insect damage quicker than the control/living mulch.
All beds sustained heavy gopher damage except for three of the beds on the south end of the field (C3, B3, and A3, see Figure 4). These included one bed each of deep compost mulch, cut and carry mulch, and living mulch. We could not determine why these beds had no gopher damage, but we felt that the gophers took advantage of the lack of soil disturbance that comes with no-till.
Soil temperatures under both mulched beds (Figure 5) tended to be 8 to 10 degrees F cooler under the mulch and down three inches compared to the control/living mulch beds that tested out at air temperature. For brassicas in 2023, that meant very hot soil. The mulched beds also tended to be warmer than the control/living mulch beds when the air temperatures turned cold later in the season.
When temperatures dipped below freezing later in the season, the plants in both mulched beds showed more cold damage than the control/living mulch. This could be due to open ground absorbing more heat. But when temperatures warmed up again and the plants thawed, the cut and carry mulch showed the best color and least damage.
Preliminary review of the 2023 soil analytical data revealed the complexity of interpreting soil health from laboratory reports. Soil nutrient values were variable across the plot both within and between treatment types and between the August and December measurements. Box plots of measured values were used to compare the results, and in most cases either no significant change was observed from August to December, or the change appeared uniform between the three treatments and control. Two notable results included diverging potassium levels between the mulched (A and B) beds (Figure 6) and non-mulched (C and X) beds, and an overall increase in carbon and nitrogen levels in all beds (Figure 7). The increase in potassium is likely explained by breakdown of nutrients in the added mulch compared to utilization only in the non-mulched beds. The overall increase in carbon and nitrogen demonstrates the value of maintaining living roots in the soil (late season) compared to the loss caused by drought and tillage (early season).
Because only one Soil Food Web test was completed this year, our review of this data will be conducted after the post-project test in 2024. The August 2023 results indicate good fungal activity across the trial plot (Figure 8).
Research results and discussion 2025:
Our 2025 results included observations, harvest data and analytical results.
A surprising observation for us was the yellowing of the plants in the deep compost beds (Figure 5). Saleable harvest was quite heavy and fruit colored early but ranged from medium to small in size. Plant size varied from one end of the row to the other and paled more as the season went on. Cut and carry mulch rows had deep green plants with produced many flowers and fruits (Figure 6). These were a little later than other rows, possibly because mulch was added a little later. In the living mulch rows, the clover died back early and rows became extremely weedy. Plants did not thrive and were extremely small and yielded little to no fruit. Control rows had medium green plants and had the second largest harvest, and though fruit was mostly medium in size, they were very dirty at harvest due to soil splash from heavy rains.
All rows had heavy weed pressure, especially from quack grass and foxtail, with some Canada thistle. Living mulch rows had a very large amount of pressure from asters that the other rows did not have (Figure 7). Pest issues were minimal on all rows, mostly on any fruit touching the ground.
Comparing analytical data from the first soil tests in 2023 with the final testing in 2025 revealed a few notable results. Organic matter tended to drop over the study, with the exception of the deep compost mulch rows (Figure 8). Already high in levels of magnesium and phosphorus, these measured even higher in the deep compost rows (Figures 9 and 10), while bacterial and fungal levels dropped in all rows. One significant difference was nematode counts in the cut and carry rows which appeared to increase over the study (Figure 11). Phosphorus levels and Ph levels also increased in the deep compost mulch rows while the other beds changed little. Nitrogen dropped in all beds, with the exception of the cut and carry rows, which increased over the study (Figure 12). This increase could possibly be explained by the amount of nitrogen in the alfalfa breaking down and/or by maintaining a constant soil cover, protecting the soil from leaching. Overall improvement of soil health as shown by the Haney testing was in the cut and carry rows (Figure 13).
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
We held our first field day October 3, 2023. Notification of the field day was sent via Facebook, our website, Land Stewardship Project and the Climate Resilient Organic Vegetable Production group. There was a mix of farmers and farm advocates who attended (Figure 9). We began the field day talking about the history of the farm and soils when we began farming organic vegetables 28 years ago and the degradation of the soil on the farm from years of conventional farming with no heed to conservation practices. Discussion then proceeded to talk about how we have worked to try to build soil health over the years. Most of our growing methods were the usual high tillage methods used on most organic farms to combat weeds. We discussed how these methods did not achieve the results that we wished and our desire to find a better way toward soil health.
We then toured the no-till beds discussing soil test results using the Haney test as well as Soil Food Web testing to determine microbial activity. Soil test results were attached to posts on the end of each bed for participants to study and discuss (Figure 10). We also compared soil and crop health and the distinct differences between the treatment methods (Figure 11)
Overall, it was extremely helpful to get perspectives from other farmers, and attendees of the field day and felt that the day was a success. We were encouraged to continue the trial and see what additional results will come in 2024.
One outcome of the field day was being asked to be interviewed for a podcast by Brian DiVore from the Land Stewardship Project who attended the field day, on the grant project, our observations and the importance of soil health. Included is a link to the podcast. http://Ear to the Ground 321: Buried Knowledge
In addition, Volume 41 Number 2, 2023 Land Stewardship Letter included an article on our project and field day, expanding on the history of our area and the need for building back soil health. This newsletter is distributed to all Land Stewardship members and copies are handed out at various conferences.
Other future planned outreach includes:
- January 10, 2024 – Sandy will present to the Climate Resilient Organic Vegetable Production group through University of Wisconsin-Madison
- February 2024 – Sandy will be serving as a panelist in one of the Organic Universities titled “Climate Adaptation for Midwest Organic Vegetable Growers: Current Research and Future Priorities” at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Late Summer 2024 - another field day will be planned to share the results of both years of our findings.
- January 2025 - presentation or poster at the Organic Vegetable Conference
- February 2025 - report will be posted to the research board at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
- Spring 2025 - report and lessons learned will be shared through the Climate Resilience for Organic Vegetable Production web feed.
January 10, 2024, Sandy participated in an on-line presentation to a group of no-till/low-till farmers and university personnel for the Climate Resilient Organic Vegetable Production discussion group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j98PyuioWa8
Sandy participated in the farmer panel in the Organic University "Climate Adaptation for Midwest Organic Vegetable Growers", February 22, 2024 at the Marbleseed Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
September 14, 2024, both Lonny and Sandy presented and shared first year results at a field day being held near Moorehead, MN at the farm of Noreen and Lee Thomas, Doubting Thomas Farms. There were approximately 30 people in attendance who ranged from UMN Extension to vegetable growers to back yard gardeners.
August 12, 2025, Lonny and Sandy hosted a farm tour, which included touring and discussing the grant beds and project, for approximately 15 extension food systems educators, including local and county-based educators, RSDP staff, UMN statewide team of educators, researchers and specialists. There was much discussion on soil health and the role that no-till/low-till can play in building soil and soil biology.
November 8, 2025, Sandy presented at the Emerging Farmers Conference in St. Paul MN with Natalie Hoidal, UMN Extension and Elise Hanson, Cimmaron Community Farm on no-till and minimal till practices. The session was very well attended with a robust question and answer period during and after the presentation.
On December 8, 2025, we hosted a roundtable style workshop co-sponsored with Olmsted County SWCD and UMN Extension of Olmsted County. Notification of the workshop was sent through Olmsted County SWCD newsletters, UMN Extension outlets, CROVP member lists and Facebook (Figure 14). Since we had a couple of microscopes available, attendees were encouraged to bring along compost or soil samples. Although the title of the workshop was Living Soil Roundtable: Sharing No-till Knowledge and Microbial Insights, the main focus of the workshop was to present final project data and observations and was intended to spur discussion, questions and potential further study. The presentation included slides with photos and graphs depicting data and insights gathered from the project (Figure 15).
After the study presentation, there were two more presentations, followed by microscope viewing of the sample's attendees brought with them and lots of roundtable type discussion.
Due to stormy weather, there were only about 20 attendees present, but the group was very diversified. There were vegetable farmers, crop farmers, grazers, University and agency personnel, as well as soil biologists and home gardeners. One of the exciting outcomes from this workshop was that the attendees want to continue the discussion by in-person and/or on-line workshops and discussion groups. There was much interest in furthering discussion on research, personal experiences and opportunities.
January 13, 2026, Sandy will be presenting again on the CROP monthly discussion group via zoom. She will be sharing final study data along with other no-till/low-till projects currently being planned for the farm.
Learning Outcomes
After our first year, we remain convinced this project will contribute to a growing body of knowledge and enthusiasm around no-till farming techniques accessible to small-scale organic vegetable growers.
Of the treatment methods proposed, all have been shown to be effective in decreasing erosion, increasing soil biological activity and organic matter, and increasing water holding capacity. These improvements, in turn, contribute to increased crop production efficiency and quality. Our lessons learned build on previous research (including previous investigations funded by SARE grants, where cited):
- Deep (6” or greater) compost mulch can lessen weed pressure and affords a premade growing medium with simplified planting and harvesting. However, this approach can cause nutrient imbalances and can be cost-prohibitive on a larger scale or inefficient for manual application (FNC22-1355). We saw the highest cost per square foot and highest labor input in our compost (Treatment A) beds.
- Weed suppression can be supplemented using a hay or straw mulch (FNE22-025; FW22-393). After 2023 observations in the field and taking into consideration cost of treatment and labor, the cut and carry mulch worked best for us for fall brassicas.
- Live-in-place covers encourage mycorrhizal activity with additional living roots in the soil but may not be as effective in reducing perennial weeds (ONE22-411). Our living mulch layer did not germinate in 2023, which is another example of a challenge with this method. Because our soil had generally good fungal counts, the difference between control and living mulch beds was not apparent in year 1.
As year 1 concludes, we also reflect on the numerous other metrics for soil health and sustainability in small-scale organic vegetable growing which have not been investigated in this project. We are especially interested in collecting more information on macrobiology and the relationship between soil health and the nutritional value of the crop.
2025
In our final year of this study, we realized that without additional, more aggressive efforts to build soil health we will struggle to keep our soils from losing nutrients and biology. Work on this project was a beginning of base knowledge for us to learn and work from to continue to search for sustainable ways to encourage the microbiology and health of our soils and to avoid leaching, compaction and imbalances, as well as to grow healthy, nutritious crops.
Each treatment taught us much:
- Deep compost mulch seems to work well, but after time discourages water infiltration and creates imbalances that inhibit optimum growth of some crops. Without additional cover on top of the mulch, nitrogen off gasses, leaving insufficient levels of nitrogen for heavy feeding crops. Extreme levels of some nutrients inhibit utilization of other necessary nutrients, which with the lower levels of nitrogen on these beds (Treatment A) could cause the yellow coloring and unhealthy look of the peppers in the study. Weeds such as quack grass and Canada thistle eventually found their way into the beds, even with the heavy cover of compost.
- Hay mulch also ended up having weed issues the final year of the study without continuous additions of mulch throughout the season. Moisture levels remained steadier, and these beds (Treatment B) tended to have better overall health, although they improved at an extremely slow pace. We were also surprised at the more elevated levels of a few already high nutrients with the hay mulch, which could be caused by using high quality alfalfa hay. Using straw mulch may not cause the same results. Nitrogen stayed higher in this treatment which could have been the reason for the deep green color of the plants and large number of flowers. This treatment still seems to have worked best for us both years.
- Living mulch (Treatment C) did not work well for us. We were unable to germinate or keep a crop of clover living long enough to discourage weeds. Soil did not show much change in chemical or biological testing, and the small amount of clover and large amounts of weeds seemed to deprive our crops of nutrients. This treatment may still work for some crops and farms with some tweaks in treatment (ONE22-411).
This study has generated many questions and ideas and has us interested in potentially using a hybrid of these treatments in the future. We continue to pursue ways to better manage the soil and expand on the knowledge that we have acquired in this work. Our interest and passion for learning more about the wonders of living soil only grows.
Project Outcomes
In conversations with field day attendees, there were comments made that we should find a way to continue this study after our 2 years are finished, adding a few more points of study that were not in this round of research. The 2 years are also not long enough to determine long-term changes in soil and soil biology. We are hoping to find a way to continue and add to this research.
In the final year of the study, it was very clear that in working with poor soils, just implementing the study treatments without any other inputs, our soils actually went backwards in soil health. Nutrient imbalances were clear in some of the treatments and in others, there just wasn't any improvement. We feel that a more aggressive approach is needed to increase soil health, whether no-till or minimal till is used. The study brought to light many more questions and potential research projects that could be pursued.