Year Round Mixed Vegetable Production in High …...• Low tunnel • Smaller hoops

extension.illinois.edu

Year Round Mixed Vegetable Production in High Tunnels

ZACHARY GRANT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND SMALL FARMS EDUCATOR COOK COUNTY [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/UofILocalFoodsCookCounty


Overview of year round possibilities with high tunnels in hardiness zones 5b and 6a • Technologies and Types of Structures • Uses of High Tunnels During the Year • Planting Schedules and Planning • Tips for High Tunnel Production


Technologies and Types of Structures •  Terminology

•  Hoophouse •  Polyethylene (greenhouse plastic) covered structure used to extend the

growing season

•  High Tunnel •  Same as hoop house. Term used to differentiate structure from a low

tunnel when used in combination (winter production)

•  Greenhouse •  More permanent structure, used with additional heat for temperature

control

•  Low tunnel •  Smaller hoops <36” tall offering both pest and frost protection in fields

and high tunnels

•  Caterpillar •  Larger than a low tunnel (can walk in), simpler than high tunnels,

typically a 3 season structure, and usually kits are made by grower


Quonset $2.50+/ft² Low Tunnel $0.136/ft²

Gothic/Gable Kit $3.00+/ft²

Caterpillar DIY $1.75+/ft²

Heated Greenhouse $15.00+/ft²

Maywood Tunnel (Frame=free +$0.90/ft² to finish)


Year Round In Ground Production


Dec 10th FRC temp HT temp Amb temp

Temp F 25.6 7.9 -‐1.6

FRC-‐HT HT-‐Amb FRC-‐Amb

Temp diff F 17.7 9.5 27.2


May 25th June 4th


June 20th


Low Tunnels and Supplemental Heat •  Warm season crops need to get off to an

accelerated start •  For tomatoes ensure extra low tunnel

protection in case of cooler temperatures in late March-early April or supplemental heat to push ripening fruit in early June

•  Closer the low tunnel to crop the better (<18” high) •  Some growers even rest row covers right

on crop •  Not for fragile crops like tomatoes

(still need hoop support) •  With added heat, average heat is what counts

•  Turn heat on during day to increase average temperature •  e.g. 50-65F during day raise

average more efficiently •  Regrowth faster in heated tunnels, but

heating costs vary so it may or may not pay off


Venting

•  Diseases can still be an issue during all seasons in a high tunnel

•  In addition to choosing disease resistant varieties: •  Over venting rather than

not venting enough •  Consider thermostatically

controlled vents •  Keep a slightly “leaky

greenhouse” •  Vent inner low tunnels at

least 2-3 times a week regardless of cloud cover or temperature


Pruning •  Indeterminates

•  If two leaders, use “Strong Y”. •  Remove leaves and suckers up to

first flower, and continue removing suckers weekly especially during first 6 weeks

•  Spending time on this when they are suckers are small will pay off

•  After cluster is harvested, remove leaves below.

•  Determinates •  Strong Y and remove suckers/

leaves up to first flower •  Then focus on basket weaving •  Only pruning out selected large

runners during season

Photo: Amy Ivy


Training and Trellising Tomatoes Single Leader (Double for Heirlooms) for Indeterminates Basket Weave for Determinates

Photo: Amy Ivy


Training and Trellising Aides

Photo: Amy Ivy Photo: Amy Ivy

Photo: Amy Ivy


“Lower and Lean”

Photo: Amy Ivy


Thank-You!

Questions? [email protected] Supplemental Handout: “Growing Under High Tunnels in Illinois and the Midwest”

Year Round Mixed Vegetable Production in High …...• Low tunnel • Smaller hoops

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