High Tunnel
Fruit and Vegetable Production
LESSON ONE:
INTRODUCTION TO
HIGH TUNNELS
Objectives
 Recognize the difference between a high tunnel and
a greenhouse structure.
 Identify the advantages of high tunnels.
 Recall limitations to the use of high tunnels.
High Tunnels vs. Greenhouses
 High tunnels are also often called “hoop houses”
 Simple, plastic-covered structures
 Come in many shapes and sizes
 Tall enough to walk-in & grow tall, trellised crops
 No standard dimensions
 Range from 14-30 feet wide by 30-96 feet long
 Must be irrigated
High Tunnels
High Tunnels
High Tunnels
 Differences from Greenhouses:
 Passive-solar-heated
 Passively
structures, Use no artificial heat
ventilated
 Manually
roll-up sidelines
 End walls can be opened or removed
 No artificial ventilation such as fans, tubes or forced air
 Plants
are grown in the ground
 Typically covered with a single layer of plastic
 Can cost as little as $.50/ft2 to construct
 Commercial
greenhouses can cost up to $20/ft2
Uses and Advantages of High Tunnels
 Extended Growing Seasons
 Beginning
4-8 weeks earlier in the Spring
 Continuing 2-5 weeks later in the Fall
 Weather Protection
 Protect
from environmental stresses
 Labor Efficiency
 Most
tasks can be performed unaffected by weather
 Higher labor inputs are required
Uses and Advantages of High Tunnels
 Environmental Control
 Growers
can control water, fertility, and temperature
 Can result in greater yields of quality produce
 Week growth is reduced due to drip irrigation
 Reduced Incidence of Plant Diseases
 Need
for disease, weed and wildlife management is
reduced
 Pesticide inputs are minimized
 Significantly reduced incidence of foliar diseases
Uses and Advantages of High Tunnels
 Improved Quality
 Well-managed
high tunnels typically produce
higher yields of higher quality produce
 Compared
to field-grown crops
 Increased Revenue Per Square Foot
 Greatest
advantage of high tunnel production
 Higher premiums from:
 Out
of season crops
Increased quality and yield
 Value in the marketplace
 Reduced cost of inputs
Uses and Advantages of High Tunnels
High Tunnel Limitations
 More attention is required for the whole picture
 Water
and nutrient management
 Temperature control
 Crop selection
 Continuous production strategies
 Typically more costly than growing in a field
 Capital
cost of structure
 Increased manual labor requirements
High Tunnel Limitations
 Initial Cost and Maintenance
 Often
requires multiple years to pay for itself
 Galvanized metal frame can last 30 to 40 years
 Plastic covering needs replacement every 4-5 years
 Other upkeep costs necessary
 Different Pest Problems
 Fewer
disease problems, increased insect pressure
 Favorable environment for:
 Tomato
Hornworm, Cutworm, Thrips, Mites and Aphids
High Tunnel Limitations
High Tunnel Limitations
 Regular Monitoring and Labor
 Climate
control, especially in Spring and Fall
 Additional investments can reduce need for frequent
monitoring
 Electrical
installation and thermostatically controlled side
and overhead ventilation
 Crop Rotation
 Limited
space makes rotation difficult
 Consider proper crop rotations for:
 Soil
fertility and nutrition, reduction of soil-borne
pathogens and pest control
High Tunnel Economics
 More costly than in a field
 Growers must carefully choose combination of crops
 Most crops CAN be grown in a high tunnel, not all
make economic sense
 Growers should consider:
 Value
of the crop
 Length of growing season
 Labor required for production
 Yield of the crop
 Potential market price
Review and Reflection
 Respond to one of the following questions on a
separate, blank sheet of paper:
 In
your opinion, what is the most interesting thing
you have learned about high tunnels so far? Would
you be interested in growing fruits and vegetables in
a high tunnel as part of your SAE project or for a
class? Why or why not?
 Scenario: Your agricultural education program has the
opportunity to receive a high tunnel. Do you think
they should get one? Why or why not? What talking
points would you use to convince your school board
and agriculture teacher that a high tunnel is or is not
a good investment?