Heating outdoor crops to extend the growing season and increase yields

With our fertile soil, clean water and abundant sunshine, Norrbotten would have unique growing potential - were it not for the short growing season. It takes time for the snow to melt and the soil to warm up so that plants can start growing. Can we compensate for this by thawing the soil with waste heat?

About the project

In this research project, we investigate whether waste heat in the form of warm air can be used to thaw a strawberry field at Öjebyn AgroPark in order to get earlier flowering and harvesting.

Norrbotten strawberry growers usually harvest their first strawberries during the first or second week of July and therefore cannot compete with southern Sweden to sell strawberries during the high season around midsummer.

Project aim

The aim of the project is therefore to use waste heat to thaw and warm the soil around the strawberry plants during spring and early summer so that the first harvest can be achieved even before midsummer, and the growers can sell Norrbotten strawberries to the midsummer tables.