Article

Establishing hügelkultur for season extension research, specialty crop production, and permaculture education

Authors

• Sara Hazan, Kansas State University, None
• Jeremy Cowan, Kansas State University, None

Abstract

Hügelkultur is a system of tall, windrowed beds comprised of layers of buried wood, soil, and organic matter. No peer-reviewed research has been identified on production of vegetable crops in hügelkultur systems. This study utilizes pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. ‘Cinnamon Girl’), a warm-season crop, and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Muir’), a cool-season crop, to evaluate whether the shady north side, or sunny south side of east-to-west oriented hügel beds offers a viable season extension strategy for specialty crops. Data collection includes total yield, marketable yield, soil temperature and moisture, light intensity, air temperature, and relative humidity. The experiment began on June 11, 2020 and data collection continues into the fall of 2020. Preliminary observations suggest that the south-facing hügel slopes dry out faster than slopes on the north side. Differences in soil moisture and temperature between the three aspects seems to vary at different parts of the year. Data analysis will be conducted during the winter of 2020-21.

Keywords:

pumpkin, lettuce, aspect, raised bed, microclimate

How to Cite: