No-Till Raised Beds Versus Traditional Trenching Methods for Sustainable Tulip Production in Cut Flower Farming

Commodities

• Agronomic: other

Practices

• Crop Production: no-till
• Soil Management: soil quality/health

This project will compare using temporary no-till raised beds verse traditional trenching methods to grow tulip bulbs for production, focusing on soil health, labor efficiency, yield and profitability. The objective is to evaluate the sustainability of no-till practices, providing tulip growers with valuable insights on how they can improve soil quality, reducing production costs, and enhancing flower marketability on their own farms.

The study will involve field trials where both methods will be monitored for their impact on soil health, labor, and yield. Key components of the project include measuring soil nutrient levels, alongside tracking labor inputs and cost analysis. The project will also examine the marketability of tulips grown using these two approaches, considering factors such as tulip bulb breakage, stem length and overall useability.

By providing growers with a clear comparison of these two methods, the project will help support the transition to more sustainable, cost-effective, and marketable tulip production practices.

The primary objectives of this project are:

1. Compare soil health outcomes between no-till raised beds and traditional trenching methods in tulip production. We will evaluate soil structure, organic matter content, microbial activity, and water retention in both systems(before and after). This will help determine whether no-till raised beds improve soil fertility and long-term sustainability, which are essential for maintaining healthy, productive soils.

2. Evaluate labor efficiency between no-till raised beds and traditional trenching methods. We will compare the time and labor required for planting, maintenance, and harvesting tulips in both systems. This analysis will identify whether no-till raised beds reduce labor inputs, offering potential cost savings, which is especially important for small-scale farms where labor is often a limiting factor.

3. Assess the marketability of tulips grown using no-till raised beds versus traditional trenching. The quality of tulips, including characteristics such as length, uniformity, and post-harvest storage life(did the bulb stay on the plant when harvesting for long storage)will be compared between the two methods. This objective will determine if no-till raised beds can produce tulips that meet or exceed what is grown in the field, which is key to ensuring the economic viability of the method.

4. Measure yield and ensure bulb health for long-term storage. A challenge with traditional tillage is soil compaction, which can leave bulbs in the ground after harvest and lead to disease(tulip fire) in future years. This project will compare the yield and health of tulip bulbs harvested from no-till and traditional systems, focusing on minimizing soil compaction and ensuring the bulbs are easily harvested and suitable for long-term storage with the bulb attached.

5. Provide data-driven recommendations for vegetable growers (such as potatoes, carrots, and garlic) on the feasibility of using no-till raised beds. The project will assess how the benefits of no-till farming can be applied to other root crops, demonstrating how no-till practices can improve soil health and labor efficiency in vegetable production.

6. Develop educational resources for flower and vegetable growers on implementing no-till raised beds. These resources will include step-by-step instructional videos and written guides, which will be shared on platforms like, ASCFG, the SARE website and our farm’s personal website.

By achieving these objectives, this project will provide valuable insights and resources to farmers, helping them adopt sustainable practices that improve soil health, reduce labor costs, and enhance crop marketability and profitability.