By Scout Nelson
Vegetable farming often depends heavily on tillage to control weeds, but this practice harms soil health and increases erosion risks. Traditionally, farmers have used single-use plastic mulch, which creates significant waste.
New research in eastern South Dakota explores the use of perennial clover living mulches to address these challenges. Clover living mulches can tolerate mowing, create a dense canopy that competes with weeds, fix atmospheric nitrogen, and protect soil from wind and water erosion. However, they can also compete with crops for sunlight, water, and nutrients, potentially lowering yields.
According to Bruce (2022), finding the right balance is key. Alongside living mulches, reusable woven fabric is emerging as a sustainable alternative to disposable plastics, helping farmers reduce yearly plastic waste.
Meanwhile, climate change is affecting crop choices. Traditional crops like broccoli are sensitive to high heat, often bolting and becoming unmarketable. In response, farmers are turning to broccolini, a heat-tolerant alternative that could maintain production and meet market demands.
Broccolini belongs to the brassica family, important in vegetable systems, and its performance under year two trials alongside clover living mulches shows encouraging results. The combination of living mulches and broccolini cultivation can help minimize tillage, improve soil structure, reduce reliance on plastic mulch, and adapt farming practices to shifting climate patterns.
While some yield reductions due to much competition were noted, the environmental benefits of reducing erosion, fixing nitrogen naturally, and minimizing waste present strong advantages.
Living mulches, when managed carefully, could offer a sustainable path forward for vegetable farming, promoting healthier soils and more resilient crops for future generations.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: South Dakota, General