High tunnels or Fabric-covered hoop structures
High tunnels help growers grow crops outside of the normal growing season, meeting consumer demand during higher prices. The controlled climate inside high tunnels protects crops from weather-related damage and pests. They can be used to grow a wide variety of crops.
High tunnels are similar to standard greenhouses but are more versatile, flexible, and mobile. They are especially useful for growing leafy greens and vegetables. Their main difference lies in their name: high tunnels are taller than traditional greenhouses. They also typically have taller ground posts.
High tunnels are an efficient way to extend the growing season of many warm-season crops. For example, tomatoes, which can be a difficult crop to grow in the traditional greenhouse, are often grown in high tunnels. High tunnels also enable tomatoes to be staked, reducing the amount of wasted fruit caused by wind-transmitted fungal diseases. High tunnels also make harvesting easier and minimize damage to the plants.
High tunnels can be built in several different styles. Some people prefer a gothic design or a Quonset style. These designs have more height along the sides and can shed snow. Both styles allow for more light infiltration, which results in higher temperatures and better crop growth.
Passive solar radiation
Passive solar greenhouses of Norhage.no are designed to capture heat from the sun and store it. The passive solar greenhouse typically includes an insulated north wall and heavily insulated east and west walls. The north wall is taller than the south wall, maximizing southern sun exposure. This design allows for increased heat retention and energy savings.
One of the most effective methods is to use solar panels. These panels are very affordable. The heat generated from the sun is stored in thermal energy storage tanks. This energy can then be used to heat water. In addition to capturing heat from the sun, solar thermal panels are also space-saving. Although they are not the cheapest solar solution, they can provide a viable solution for growers with high energy usage rates.
Another way to maximize passive solar performance is to add thermal mass to your greenhouse tunnel. Thermal mass is a material that absorbs heat from the sun and releases it slowly when the air temperature falls. Adding thermal mass to your greenhouse tunnel can help keep your indoor air temperature even year-round. Thermal mass can also be added through the use of bed edging. By doing this, you can create a cozy micro-climate along the edges of the beds. Some good thermal mass materials include brick, stone, clay, and adobe.
They are economical to build
Greenhouse tunnels are a great choice for home gardening. These structures can be free-standing structures or gutter-connected with multiple bays. The frames are usually constructed from galvanized steel or aluminum tubing. Both of these materials are inexpensive, durable, and rust-resistant. They are sunk into the ground and have horizontal wooden or metal cross bars attached along the sides. The sides can be made of 6-mil polyethylene plastic to allow ample light to pass through. Double-layer plastic has better light and heat retention.
To build a high-quality greenhouse tunnel, start by choosing a suitable location. It should be well-drained, level, and slightly sloping. This will promote good airflow and ventilation. The site should also be exposed to good wind protection in winter. Windbreaks are a great addition. The site should not be shaded or perpendicular to prevailing winds.
High tunnels are also good for biological control because most of the natural enemies of plant pests attack only during the first or second stage of their life cycle. It is therefore important to carefully time the release of these predators. Ladybeetles are especially effective predators of plant pests, but they need to be released at a suitable time.
They can be used for vegetables
When using greenhouse tunnels for vegetables, it is important to choose species carefully. For example, some vegetables are hardy enough to grow all winter, but others need protection from frost. In these situations, low tunnels can help prevent damage to delicate varieties. Some farmers even cover their spinach plants for the winter so they can continue to grow during the chilly months.
There are many advantages to using a greenhouse tunnel for vegetables. First, it can minimize the damage done by pests such as downy mildew and spider mites. Second, it can help with yields, since cucumbers grow faster than tomatoes. And third, greenhouse tunnels are more hands-on than conventional field gardening.
Protected agriculture is becoming increasingly popular among vegetable farmers as a way to extend the growing season, increase yields, and increase crop quality. However, a recent survey has revealed that many growers have difficulty maintaining productivity, in part due to challenges in soil health and fertility management. Because of these challenges, researchers from Cornell Cooperative Extension are exploring practices that can improve high-tunnel production for vegetables.
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veksthus fra Norhage.no
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