1. Matt Kleinhenz Extension Vegetable Specialist Horticulture and Crop Science High Tunnels: Are They for You?

2. Background Information high tunnel structures high tunnel versus other techniques, systems specific opportunities, requirements

3. STRUCTURES

4. image courtesy B. Lamont, PSU high tunnel

5. Major HT Characteristics metal, wood, and/or PVC frame clear plastic cover (1-2 layers) soil floor (not required) peak height at least 8 ft

6. OARDC March 2006

7. image courtesy Wild Onion Farm image courtesy Noble Fndn.

8. Haygrove

9. image courtesy Will McGuire Plasticulture in China

10. image courtesy Chef's Garden

11. High Tunnel Costs depend strongly on size, design, features will continue to change

12. image courtesy http://www.aesop.rutgers.edu/~horteng/hightunnels.htm High Tunnel "Chassis"

13. chassis = frame, plastic, irrigation OARDC April 2006

14. OARDC November 2003

15. High Tunnel Costs chassis + repair/replace + climate control + labor

16. High Tunnel Costs + climate control ventilation raised beds, row covers sensors heating (temporary, permanent)

17. Major HT Materials Costs frame (material, durability, portability, number braces) film (number layers, type) end-, side-wall design climate control

18. High Tunnel Costs depend strongly on size, design, features … in OH, new materials cost $2.38-7.24 (avg. $3.95/ft 2 )

19. High Tunnel Costs cannot be insured usually not taxed (depends on local ordinances)

22. "Do not remove a fly from your friend's head with a hammer." - Chinese Proverb

23. HIGH TUNNEL VERSUS OTHER TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS

24. images courtesy Ken-Bar, MN Artists, The OSU

25. Season Extension Techniques transplanting raised beds mulches, row covers protected culture

26. image courtesy Ken-Bar

27. image courtesy D. and M. Reckamp, MO. What makes high tunnels work? Light carries heat. Enters, but does not leave HT. When dark, plastic limits heat loss to sky.

29. Wooster, OH 2003-2004

30. Natural Law Q10 rate at X + 10 temp rate at X temp = 2

31. SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES, REQUIREMENTS

32. OPPORTUNITIES

33. … can extend the season (help farmers "sell high") High Tunnel Use:

34. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Plant, Harvest Dates plant harvest Field HT

36. 2007

38. … can minimize supply gaps (crop stress) High Tunnel Use:

42. DISEASES INSECTS WEEDS

43. protect crops save days High Tunnels:

45. OARDC November 2003

46. Most Current HT Users … … also farm open fields … grow vegetables (use for other crops increasing)

47. RURAL, URBAN HT USERS

48. Photo courtesy K. Date, The Countryside Program OH population density 254 people/mi 2

49. SUSTAINABLE CONVENTIONALORGANIC High Tunnel Users Approach has implications for high tunnel users.

50. FARM SIZE, INCOME HT EXPERIENCE LOWHIGH High Tunnel Users Also vary in market approach (direct, wholesale, etc.) and location.

51. High Tunnels: Are They for You?

52. BASIC REQUIREMENTS

53. Success with High Tunnels Requires … system thinking, action

54. images courtesy Ken-Bar, MN Artists, The OSU

55. Success with High Tunnels Requires … system thinking, action money (build, maintain) fewer days off "babysitting": ventilate, irrigate specific equipment specific varieties, ICM practices

56. OTHER COMMENTS

57. Most high tunnel crops are grown in soil. Still, hydroponic and container production are options.

58. image courtesy B. Bergefurd, OSU non-circulating, hydroponic, float-bed system

59. image courtesy B. Bergefurd, OSU bag culture

60. Many crops can be grown in a high tunnel. Some tend to be better suited for the system and more profitable. images courtesy B. Bergefurd, OSUE

61. gross returns input costs HT Production Profitable? Usually.

62. Use of Grafted Plants may Enhance High Tunnel Production.

63. rootstock scion A B

64. A B combine and secure

65. direct combination of traits A B

66. overcome breeding barriers … time, money, technology Grafting can: Goal: improve vigor, stress resistance, yield, quality

67. greenhouse vegetables field-based vegetable production in Asia, areas of Europe Grafting Application

68. post-grafting environment ("take", shipment) economics (price, seedling-plant management) For Wider Application …

69. rootstock-scion compatibility trait retention, enhancement under varying environments For Wider Application …

70. "Grafting to improve organic vegetable production in field and high tunnels systems" New Grafting Project

71. SUMMARY

72. image courtesy B. Bergefurd, OSUE

73. High Tunnels 101 Goal balanced, introductory view of the pros and cons of high tunnel production of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb crops

74. High Tunnels 101 Content – 25 FAQs 1. Factors to consider before buying a high tunnel 2. Preparing to build and building a high tunnel 3. Preparing to grow in a high tunnel

75. QUESTIONS? THANK-YOU and GOOD LUCK!

76. Dr. Matt Kleinhenz Assoc. Professor, Extension Vegetable Specialist Dept. of Horticulture and Crop Science, The OSU-OARDC phone: 330-263-3810 E-mail: kleinhenz.1@osu.edu Web: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/kleinhenz/