Sprinkled High Tunnel Frost Protection

Oso Ag LLC - PO Box 242, Buellton, CA 93427 - (805) 705-4707 osoag.com

Sprinkled High TunnelFrost Protection

A simple, effective, low cost, low water usage solution

http://www.osoag.com/


High-Tunnel Construction Techniqueswith Minor Differences

● 18-foot-wide tunnel with 10-foot in row platform spacing● Circular arc without crimp to prevent buckling under load● 6 mil PE film for strength● Spine (solid or wire) to prevent displacement under load● Overhead sprinkler designed for complete coverage



Open-field farming techniques



Tender young plants are protected while ice falls harmlessly between the tunnels



First 10 days of pilot project. Sprinklers installed on 1/12/07. System optimized by 1/17/07



Local air temperatures during pilot project



Comparison to Conventional Frost Protection

Sprinkled high tunnels

● 30 gpm/acre● Effective to 19° F● No harm to plant

Direct sprinkling

● 90 gpm/acre● Effective to 25° F● Breakage due to weight

of ice

Less water, lower temperatures, less damage



Detail showing ice shedding the morning after a frost, along with overhead-sprinkler plumbing.



Successful pilot project with 10 acres of organic heirloom tomatoes


Sprinkled High Tunnel Frost Protection

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Transcript of Sprinkled High Tunnel Frost Protection