Low Tunnel Growing

Cole_Robbie · December 10, 2015

Does anyone grow in low tunnels, or at least start in the spring under them? I am thinking about building one or two next spring.

I'm looking at this bender:
http://shop.hoopbenders.net/cropprotectionrowcover.aspx

What I have not yet decided on is whether or not I need the purlin bar down the center. The cheapest design would be just the hoops, like this one: http://countyrailfarm.com/2013/03/04...tunnel-bender/

I am thinking at the moment that I will run a 2x4 baseboard down one side and screw the plastic to that board with smaller boards. And then the other side can be held down with sandbags. When I need to get to the plants, I can pull the plastic from under the sand bags, but the board attachment will keep it from all flying away if it is windy. I will probably make plywood ends to the tunnels. On a sunny day, both ends will be open, anyway. Plywood seems easy.

I have a lot of early, compact, determinate cherry varieties that I think would fit in the tunnel. I know for sure that Terrenzo would be perfect, if I wanted to buy hybrid seed. I have grown that variety before, and I like it. It's DTM is in the 50's. My goal would be to have early cherry tomatoes to sell at the farmer's market, alongside my high tunnel tomatoes.

The low tunnel is a cheaper way to grow under plastic. I think it will work, as long as I choose the right varieties. I have a soil that tends to make giant plants, so varieties that a seed company calls "compact" still get 7' tall. I've grown Terrenzo in 10" hanging baskets, bit in my soil it gets much bigger, occupying about a cubic yard of space.

December 10, 2015	#1
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Low Tunnel Growing Does anyone grow in low tunnels, or at least start in the spring under them? I am thinking about building one or two next spring. I'm looking at this bender: http://shop.hoopbenders.net/cropprotectionrowcover.aspx What I have not yet decided on is whether or not I need the purlin bar down the center. The cheapest design would be just the hoops, like this one: http://countyrailfarm.com/2013/03/04...tunnel-bender/ I am thinking at the moment that I will run a 2x4 baseboard down one side and screw the plastic to that board with smaller boards. And then the other side can be held down with sandbags. When I need to get to the plants, I can pull the plastic from under the sand bags, but the board attachment will keep it from all flying away if it is windy. I will probably make plywood ends to the tunnels. On a sunny day, both ends will be open, anyway. Plywood seems easy. I have a lot of early, compact, determinate cherry varieties that I think would fit in the tunnel. I know for sure that Terrenzo would be perfect, if I wanted to buy hybrid seed. I have grown that variety before, and I like it. It's DTM is in the 50's. My goal would be to have early cherry tomatoes to sell at the farmer's market, alongside my high tunnel tomatoes. The low tunnel is a cheaper way to grow under plastic. I think it will work, as long as I choose the right varieties. I have a soil that tends to make giant plants, so varieties that a seed company calls "compact" still get 7' tall. I've grown Terrenzo in 10" hanging baskets, bit in my soil it gets much bigger, occupying about a cubic yard of space.