500m² Winter Market Garden in the UAE
1. Project Summary
This proposal outlines a proof of concept for a 500m² no-dig market garden in the UAE, demonstrating a high-yield, low-input vegetable production system during the cooler winter months (October – April). By integrating on-site composting, regenerative soil-building techniques, and water-efficient irrigation, this project aims to showcase a scalable and profitable model for sustainable local food production.
By leveraging organic waste streams such as spent mushroom substrate (SMS), vegetable market waste, and farm-generated wood chips and leaves, the project will build fertile, living soil capable of producing premium-quality vegetables with minimal external inputs.
The design takes inspiration from the Ridgedale Farm (located in Sweden) model, integrating optimized bed spacing and crop selection to maximize yield and efficiency.
2. Objectives
1. Develop a No-Dig, Compost-Based Market Garden – Establish permanent no-dig beds with compost to enhance soil structure, fertility, and water retention.
2. Optimize Winter Vegetable Production – Focus on high-yield, short-cycle crops that thrive in the UAE’s mild winter temperatures.
3. Sustainable Soil Fertility – Utilize on-site composting to build organic matter, improve water-holding capacity, and enhance microbial life.
4. Water-Efficient Irrigation – Implement drip irrigation with moisture monitoring to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
5. Scalability & Proof of Concept – Demonstrate a model that can be expanded beyond 500m² to support larger farm operations.
3. Site Layout & Infrastructure
The 500m² market garden will consist of 25 permanent no-dig beds, each measuring 10m x 0.75m, totaling 187.5m² of productive growing space.
Infrastructure Needs
No-Dig System: Compost-based beds with a 25cm compost layer.
Drip Irrigation: Automated system to optimize water use and improve crop uniformity.
Microclimate Management: Windbreaks and row covers for temperature and pest control.
Post-Harvest Area: Wash and pack station for efficient handling of produce.
4. Soil Fertility & Composting Needs
Initial Compost Requirement for 500m²
Each bed requires 25cm (0.25m) of compost for optimal soil health.
A minimum of 47m³ of finished compost is required for the initial bed setup.
5. Compost Production Plan
To meet the 47m³ compost requirement, on-site composting will be implemented using:
1. Carbon-Rich Materials (60-70%) – Wood chips, dry leaves, and farm trimmings.
2. Nitrogen-Rich Materials (30-40%) – Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and vegetable market waste.
Raw Material Volume Needed
Since raw organic materials shrink by ~50% during composting, producing 47m³ of compost requires ~94m³ of raw materials.
Composting Process
Thermophilic Phase (10-14 days per batch) – Active aeration in oxygen composters.
Curing Phase (4-6 weeks) – Final maturation in bulk bags.
Vermicomposting Phase: 10-20% of the marured compost will be vermicomposted with African Nightcrawlers.
Total Compost Readiness: 3-4 months from start to application.
6. Crop Selection & Production Strategy
Winter-Season High-Yield Crops:
Following Ridgedale Farm's model, high-yield crops suited for quick crop cycles and high turnover include:
Lettuce & Salad Greens: 3-4 cycles per season.
Radishes & Turnips: 5-6 cycles per season.
Spinach & Chard: 3-4 cycles per season.
Carrots & Beets: 2-3 cycles per season.
Cabbage & Kale: 2 cycles per season.
Yield Expectations:
Each 10m x 0.75m bed can yield 50kg per cycle.
Total Seasonal Yield: 6,250kg
Projected Seasonal Revenue: 60,000 - 80,000 AED
7. Budget Estimate
Expense Category Estimated Cost (AED)
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Composting System 4,500
Drip Irrigation 3,500
Seeds & Inputs 2,500
Labor (6 months) 13,500
Miscellaneous 1,000
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Total Investment 15,000 - 20,000 AED
Operational Costs (~6,000 AED/month)
Labor & Maintenance: One part-time worker.
Water Costs: Minimal due to drip irrigation.
Compost Production: Raw materials sourced locally.
Labor Breakdown:
Total Seasonal Labor Requirement: 540 hours per 6-month season (22.5 hours/week).
Cost: 13,500 AED per season (AED 25/hour).
8. Market & Sales Strategy
1. Direct-to-Consumer: Subscription-based farm boxes.
2. Local Restaurants & Grocers: Supplying fresh, premium produce.
3. Farmers’ Markets & Online Orders: Weekly sales and home delivery.
Market Pricing & Revenue Potential
Crop Yield (kg/season) Price per kg (AED) Revenue (AED)
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Salad Greens 1,500 25 37,500
Radishes 1,250 12 15,000
Carrots 1,000 15 15,000
Kale & Cabbage 1,000 20 20,000
Total Revenue 60,000 - 80,000 AED
9. Implementation Timeline
Month 1: Site preparation, composting setup. This phase should start in the month of May/June to allow for effective composting methods to be employed. Focusing on the quality of the compost (living soil) is paramount for thriving crops.
Month 2: Bed establishment, irrigation installation.
Month 3-6: Planting, maintenance, first harvests.
Month 6+: Market expansion, scaling up.
10. Conclusion
This 500m² market garden proof of concept demonstrates a scalable, profitable model for sustainable winter vegetable production in the UAE. By combining on-site composting, no-dig soil fertility, and market-driven crop selection, this approach offers economic viability and ecological regeneration.