Fort Hill Farm

Fort Hill Farm received an award to support soil steaming for high tunnel vegetable production by funding a Sioux SF-20 Steam-Flo boiler, steam sock and tarp for use at Fort Hill Farm, Massaro Community Farm, and Maple Bank Farm. While data measuring nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels varied across the three farms, all farms showed a consistent decrease in weed pressure within steamed beds, resulting in an estimated 95% reduction in fall weeding hours. Soil steaming also dramatically dropped the incidence of nematode infection at Fort Hill Farm. When done at modest temperatures (140F to 1.5 inches) on prepared beds, there were minimal effects on beneficial soil microbes and soil nutrients. Ultimately, this innovative practice was determined to be an effective way to eliminate plant pathogens and weeds from high tunnel soils at shallow depths.