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In 2008 a high tunnel vegetable-production research and outreach program was initiated at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) in Lamberton. Presented by Kelley Belina at the 2009 SWROC Horticulture Day.
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SWROC High Tunnel Update
Horticulture DayApril 24, 2009
Kelley BelinaResearch Fellow
University of Minnesota, Southwest Research and Outreach [email protected]
What is a high tunnel?
• Enclosed, plastic cover
• Unheated
• Plant directly into ground
Benefits of high tunnels:
• Season extension – increased temperatures earlier and later in the growing season
• Control of irrigation
• Better weed control
• Possibly better pest control
SWROC high tunnel 2008
Start up year:
• Constructed in June, 2008
• 30’ x 48’ high tunnel
• Five raised beds
• Transplants put in mid-July
– Tomatoes, peppers, cucumber
• Organic production
10-08-08
07-31-0808-06-08
08-20-08
SWROC high tunnel 2008
• Tomato, pepper, cucumber harvested until last week of October
• Peak cucumber harvest in September of 2.62 lbs/plant/week, or 1.70 lbs/foot/wk
09-24-08
SWROC high tunnel 2008
• Mustard, spinach, swiss chard planted Sept. 17, with and without row covers
• Row covers extended production one week, harvesting until the last week of November
11-06-08
SWROC high tunnel 2008
Fertility tests
Water Bray-P NH4OAc-K Nitrate-N Ammonium-N Total N LOI-OM
pH (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (%) (%)
A 6.6 35 169 25.7 4.2 0.19 3.3
B - cucumbers 6.7 26 144 8.7 4.4 0.22 3.6
C - tomatoes 7.0 36 156 9.3 4.0 0.18 3.2
D - peppers 7.0 44 151 6.7 4.0 0.20 3.1
E 6.8 32 175 27.4 3.8 0.19 3.2
High tunnel beds
after 2008 season
SWROC high tunnel *2009*
• 2009 Comparisons and demonstrations:
i. Production in high tunnel vs. outdoors vs. outdoors with row covers
ii. Benefits and costs of fall
green manure plantings
SWROC high tunnel 2009• 2009 Comparisons and demonstrations:
iii. Variety trials: cucumbers, peppers, indeterminate and determinate tomatoes, spring lettuces, fall greens
iv. Fall greens succession
plantings with
and without row covers
University of MN High Tunnels
• Other high tunnel projects:– Raspberries in Morris
– Organic production in Crookston
– Fertility tests in Staples
– Student garden in St. Paul
http://hightunnels.cfans.umn.edu
Thank you
Organic Valley’s CROPP Cooperative’s Farmers Advocating for Organics
Southwest Research and Outreach Center
