Tunneling towards timing and profit. Recently we attended a Polytunnel Workshop hosted by the Kansas Rural Center. The workshop focused on the whys and how-tos of both high and low tunnels, and included a panel discussion with producers already using tunnels. We also took a field trip to Werner Creek Farm to see their high tunnel in action. A tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure, usually with no heat or electricity. It’s usually built with some combination of wood, steel, and plastic. If you’re looking at earning supplemental income or diversifying your operation, a tunnel may be for you. A tunnel can also allow for a crop to be ready sooner, allowing you to reap the reward of an off-season price premium. There are two basic types of tunnels: low tunnels and high tunnels. Low tunnels can be used for low-growing crops like greens and low-growing berries. High tunnels can be used to grow, among other things, flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers. Tunnels are labor intensive. One must also pay attention to proper construction based on your climate. Here in Kansas, it’s quite windy, so any tunnel constructed here must be stronger than areas without that problem. If your area has a lot of snow, you’ll want a tunnel that can withstand a significant snow load, and you’ll want to keep snow removed from the top of the tunnel. There are definite techniques to growing in tunnels. Good ventilation, temperature, and watering are key. Depending on weather conditions, the sides of the tunnel must be raised and lowered, sometimes at least twice a day. And where to get the supplies to build a tunnel? Farm Tek offers tunnel kits and supplies. Johnnys Selected Seeds has tunnel kits and a nifty pipe bender that will give your hoops just the right, uniform angle. Your hardware store most likely sells the conduit ideal for making hoops. There are many more sources. What about budget, you ask? Who’s going to pay for all of this? You can either fund the tunnel and its crop yourself, or you can investigate a grant. Organizations such as NRCS or SARE offer grants for projects like these. Utilizing high tunnels or low tunnels can help you make it out here. Have fun investigating. I would also like to invite anyone who already uses a tunnel to chime in here about your experience.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:16:59 +0000
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