Intercropping Herbs and Roots: Sustainable Tea Production with Cedar Mulch for Pest Management

Commodities

Practices

Herb growers face challenges in managing pests and ensuring consistent yields while meeting consumer demand for sustainable products. Lavender and rosemary are susceptible to aphids and spider mites, while ginger and turmeric are prone to soil-borne pests in temperate climates. Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemicals, which contradict the organic practices sought by health-conscious consumers.

Moreover, farmers often struggle to optimize herb and root intercropping systems for pest resistance and yield efficiency. While cedar mulch is known to deter pests, its effectiveness in enhancing herb production and intercropping systems has not been fully studied. There is a need to test practical, low-cost strategies that reduce chemical reliance and improve productivity.

This project seeks to address these gaps by evaluating the combined benefits of intercropping ginger and turmeric with perennial herbs and using cedar mulch to enhance pest control and soil health. The findings will benefit small and mid-sized farms by providing a scalable solution for sustainable herb production.

Solution:

This research project will investigate the impact of cedar mulch and intercropping on pest control, soil health, and crop yields in a 0.5-acre plot at Harvick Farms. By integrating sustainable agriculture practices, the project aims to optimize perennial herb and root crop systems for improved productivity and profitability.

Trial Setup:

The experimental design will include two main treatments:

1. Treatment Plots: Intercropped herbs (lavender, rosemary, rosehip) and roots (ginger, turmeric) with cedar mulch applied at a 3-inch depth.
2. Control Plots: Intercropped herbs and roots without cedar mulch.

Each plot will be replicated three times for statistical reliability. Plots will be arranged in a randomized block design to account for variations in soil conditions and microclimate.

Materials and Methods:

1. Planting and Intercropping:

   • Herbs and roots will be intercropped to promote biodiversity and natural pest suppression. Lavender, rosemary, and rosehip will occupy alternating rows, with ginger and turmeric planted in between.
   • Plant density and spacing will follow best practices to ensure healthy root and herb development.

2. Cedar Mulch Application:

   • Locally sourced cedar mulch will be applied to treatment plots, ensuring uniform coverage to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and deter pests.

3. Data Collection:

   • Pest Pressure: Weekly visual surveys will count pests, including aphids and mites, across treatment and control plots.
   • Soil Health: Moisture levels and organic matter will be analyzed pre- and post-season using soil testing kits.
   • Crop Yields: Herbs and roots will be harvested, dried, and weighed separately for comparison between treatments.

4. Tea Production:

   • Harvested crops will be processed into high-value tea blends, such as Lavender & Rosemary Relaxation Tea, Golden Glow Detox Tea, and Ginger & Turmeric Immunity Tea, highlighting the versatility of intercropped systems.

Sustainable Practices Demonstrated:

• Reduction of chemical pesticides through intercropping and cedar mulch.
• Improved soil health with organic mulch.
• Diversification of farm products via value-added teas.

Educational Component:

Workshops and field days will demonstrate the trial setup, cedar mulch application, and tea-making process. A detailed guide will be developed for farmers interested in adopting these practices.

Objectives:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of cedar mulch in controlling pests and enhancing soil health in intercropped systems.
• Quantify yield differences between treatment (cedar mulch) and control (no mulch) plots for herbs and roots.
• Develop and market five distinct herbal tea blends using crops from the trial.
• Host two workshops and produce educational materials (guides, videos) to share findings and promote adoption of sustainable practices among farmers.