Winter meeting of the AK Öko Gemüsebau
21.+22.11.2024 | EVENT
In the cold season, when workload eases, it is time to reflect together on the challenges and opportunities of organic vegetable growing. For this reason, the annual winter conference of the LLH’s Organic Vegetable Growing Working Group (AK Ökogemüse) took place at the horticultural conference center in Grünberg on November 21 and 22, 2024. Around 100 participants, mainly gardeners and farmers from Hessian vegetable farms, came together to discuss current topics in organic vegetable growing and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the working group. The working group now has around 115 member farms and can look back on three decades of practical research and committed professional exchange.
Day 1 – Catch crops: Results from research and practice
A central focus of the conference was on catch crops and undersown crops, which are becoming increasingly important in vegetable production. Under the direction of Dr. Margita Hefner (University of Kassel), Esther Pfeifer (LLH) and Natalia Riemer (PFN-Hessen), current research results and practical experience were presented. The contributions highlighted how catch crops can improve soil fertility, water balance and weed suppression.
The reports from the “Vegetable Cultivation – Undersowing” project group of the PFN Hessen, which presented its experiences from comparative trials, were particularly exciting. These tests compared different sowing rates and mixtures of undersown crops with conventional cultivation methods. The individual farms reported on successes and challenges, such as competition between crops and undersown crops and innovative cultivation techniques. The discussions showed that catch crops offer great potential, but require adjustments depending on the crop and location.
Other topics on day 1 were:
- Plant protection topics Beneficial insects as pests (Beate Tschöpe, plant protection consultant LLH)
- Stolbur and SBR in vegetable production in Hesse (Michael Lenz, Plant Protection Service RP Gießen and Christian Fetzer, Plant Protection Advisor LLH)
- Under-sowing in vegetable production (status of research and practical tests PFN and AK farms, Achim Holzinger Bioland Nord)
- Cultural discussion Flower Sprouts (Achim Holzinger Bioland North)
- Laudatory speech by Günther Semmler (former LLH vegetable growing advisor and AK advisor) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary and exchange AK members and AK spokesperson Theo Bloem, Gemüsehof Bloem
- Evening lecture: Organic farming in Georgia Field trip report (Günther Semmler, Esther Pfeifer)
Day 2 – A look into the future
At the beginning of the second seminar day, Jan-Hendrik Cropp (under_cover GbR) presented why good cultivation and crop rotation planning is important for promoting soil fertility and increasing climate resilience and how this can be implemented on a farm-specific basis. The planning of mulch quantities for a successful implementation of mulch systems and how cultivation planning can be linked to fertilizer calculation and nutrient balances was another aspect of the presentation. Jan-Hendrik Cropp specifically addressed all aspects of cultivation in the Market Garden, as well thought-out cultivation and crop rotation planning is also necessary in intensive vegetable cultivation on small areas.
Many farms develop and build innovative low-tech solutions on their own. Achim Holzinger, Birte Friebel (SoLaWi Feldkultur), Tom Mühlbauer (SoLaWi Feldgarten) and Jan-Hendrik Cropp presented various solutions for weed control and bed preparation, killing catch crops, sowing technology, soil cultivation, irrigation and methods and techniques for mulch cultivation.
Holger Buck, a long-time Naturland consultant specializing in field vegetable cultivation, concluded the winter conference with a discussion of organic carrot cultivation. In addition to information on fertilizer management, cultivation data, harvesting and storage, Holger Buck explained what is happening on the organic carrot market.
Conclusion: Focus on exchange and commitment
The winter conference of the Ökogemüse working group was a success. It not only provided participants with valuable professional input, but also the opportunity to share experiences and develop ideas for the future. The Hesse practical research network and the working group will continue their successful collaboration in order to further develop innovative approaches and jointly shape the future of organic vegetable production.
