KSCGA Project Manager Peter Pierson was recently given a tour by students and staff at K-State Horticulture’s Willow Lake Student Farm north of Manhattan. Among the research projects that stood out was their work in Hügelkultur practices. While their current work focuses on lettuce and wildflower ground cover, side and future research may yield timely information on Kansas specialty crops ranging from peaches to mushrooms.
A practice dating back hundreds of years in Europe, Hügelkultur involves building mounds, or elevated rows, of wood debris, mulch, compost, and soil for planting. In theory, the practice takes advantage of elevated temperatures in the decaying layers and varying sun exposure for frost/freeze protection and multiple crop rotations with extended growing seasons offered on some exposures. Willow Lake Student Farm’ east-west oriented rows are built with small and large stumps and logs covered with mulch, compost, and soil.
With the general east-west orientation of the rows, K-State’s Willow Lake current planting and research focuses on different local exposures’ impacts on lettuce, with soil evolution work with wildflower ground cover. They’ll also be watching for potential autumn mushroom development from spores and mycelium in the decaying wood as a companion crop with potential commercial applications.
Timely options for Kansas fruit growers may be found in anticipated future Hügelkultur research in peaches and other fruits that are prone to damage from cold temperatures and late freezes. Taking advantage of the varying sun exposure offered in this elevated row planting method, peaches may become more resistant to the extremes in weather that have taken a heavy toll the last several years. The Willow Lake researchers’ theory, though, may catch some as counterintuitive. Rather than focusing primary on the impacts of a southern exposures, Willow Lake anticipates looking at peach tree health and production on the north side exposure of the elevated rows—where spring bloom may be delayed, thus reducing the damage done by late frosts and freezes.
KSCGA will follow the work and research at the Willow Lake Student Farm and keep Kansas growers up to date on their findings and applications in your growing efforts.
Among Kansas Specialty Crop Growers Association’s immediate goals and objectives, we are in the process of developing an enhanced Kansas grower directory system in which member Kansas growers will be able to effectively network with each other, sharing information on crops, growing practices, marketing and sales, and much more.
KSCGA depends on your support to continue building our grower networking and outreach efforts. Please take the step to become a member or renew your membership today. To strengthen our reach and engagement, KSCGA membership begins at a minimal $10 contribution. For more on membership opportunities and our vision for the year ahead, please visit our website at www.kscga.org/membership.