Introduction to High Tunnel Production in Minnesota                                                   Check out the UMNews Story

Terrance T. Nennich

Professor and Regional Extension Educator

University of Minnesota Crookston

nenni001@umn.edu

High tunnel vegetable and fruit production in Minnesota is a relatively new concept in season-extension and risk management. Initial research began about 8 years ago, while extensive research started in 2002 with the purchase of two 21’x 48’ high tunnels at the North Central Research and Outreach center in Grand Rapids Minnesota.

 The purpose of this project is to conduct research, demonstrations and education with high tunnels for the 2007 production season. Research will be conducted in the areas of plant nutrient usage and soil depletion in a closed organic system. Varieties, spacing’s and intercropping of other crops will also be incorporated into the tunnel production system. The project is designed to do the following:

1. Demonstrate the early production advantages of using high tunnels in a far northern climate.
2. Demonstrate how much later in the fall high tunnel production can continue beyond normal outside production.
3. Demonstrate and gather data on different varieties and production systems in a high tunnel.
4. Research different methods of intercropping different crops together to gain maximum efficiency in a high tunnel.
5. Research soil nutrient usage of tomatoes and cucumbers in an organic high tunnel system.
6. Demonstrations on how to modify light intensity.
7. Record water usage/drip irrigation demonstration.
8. Demonstrate the use of automatic roll up sides.
9. Record temperature several times daily.
10. Calculate an economic impact.

 This is the high tunnel at the Sister's Garden in Crookston.

While high tunnels resemble greenhouses in appearance, this is the only similarity. High tunnels do not use electricity, do not use artificial heat (except in emergency situations), use only a single layer of plastic, and achieve ventilation from natural airflow by rolling up the sides instead of using electric fans. Drip irrigation is used to water the crops.

While the future of high tunnel production in Minnesota looks bright, much research remains to be done. Many growers have contributed to the research by conducting observational trials on their own farms and reporting the results during the high tunnel session at the annual Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Show, which is held annually the first week in February at Saint Cloud.

 In January 2005 the University of Minnesota Extension published a high tunnel manual for growers, which is offered as a three ring binder. To obtain a copy contact the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable growers @ 1-763-434-0400.

Helpful Web Sites:

Seed Sources:

www.burpee.com

www.harrisseeds.com

www.johnnyseed.com

High Tunnel Research Centers:

http://plasticulture.cas.psu.edu

http://www.hightunnels.org

http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~horteng/hightunnels.htm