Season ExtensionSeason ExtensionEarly and LateEarly and Late

Tim ConnellTim ConnellPortage County Ag AgentPortage County Ag Agent

Central Wisconsin Vegetable SpecialistCentral Wisconsin Vegetable Specialist

Methods of Season ExtensionMethods of Season Extension

Low tech to high techLow tech to high techPlasticulturePlasticulture

Cold frames Cold frames –– drip tape drip tape –– high tunnels high tunnels ––greenhousesgreenhouses

Low $ to High $$$$$Low $ to High $$$$$Light, water, wind, colors, bugs, benefits, Light, water, wind, colors, bugs, benefits, temperatures, fertilizers, plastic, wood, glass temperatures, fertilizers, plastic, wood, glass and varietiesand varieties

Variety Selection Variety Selection –– Days to MaturityDays to Maturity

Easiest way to get earlier Easiest way to get earlier cropcropMay be limited on varietiesMay be limited on varietiesMay not be best flavor as May not be best flavor as longer season cropslonger season cropsEarlier to market, better Earlier to market, better pricepriceConsumer may be tolerant Consumer may be tolerant of smaller size/ less flavor if of smaller size/ less flavor if they are the first availablethey are the first available

Variety Selection Variety Selection –– Days to MaturityDays to Maturity

Easiest way to get earlier Easiest way to get earlier cropcropMay be limited on varietiesMay be limited on varietiesMay not be best flavor as May not be best flavor as longer season cropslonger season cropsEarlier to market, better Earlier to market, better pricepriceConsumer may be tolerant Consumer may be tolerant of smaller size/ less flavor if of smaller size/ less flavor if they are the first availablethey are the first available

Time of HarvestTime of Harvest

Consider size of Consider size of vegetable at harvestvegetable at harvestEarly red potatoesEarly red potatoesSmall pickling Small pickling cucumberscucumbersSmall summer squashSmall summer squashBaby carrotsBaby carrotsCherry tomatoesCherry tomatoes

Differences Amongst VegetablesDifferences Amongst Vegetables

New Vegetables New Vegetables Swiss Chard 55 DaysArugula 42 Days

Lettuce Blend 40-70 Days Spinach Mustard 35 Days

Considerations with New VeggiesConsiderations with New Veggies

Growing requirements for new cropGrowing requirements for new cropSamples??Samples??Consider providing recipe cardsConsider providing recipe cardsSuggestions for useSuggestions for useInformation on nutrition Information on nutrition Engage the customer Engage the customer –– ““I bet youI bet you’’ve never ve never seen this beforeseen this before””

Starting Seeds Plants EarlierStarting Seeds Plants Earlier

Light very important Light very important –– quality and durationquality and durationFan on young seedlings Fan on young seedlings –– helps prevent leggy helps prevent leggy plantsplantsTemperature Temperature –– daytime 60 daytime 60 -- 7070°°F F –– nights no nights no lower than 50lower than 50°°FFSize of container Size of container –– prevent root bound plantsprevent root bound plantsTiming Timing –– getting plants in the ground in a getting plants in the ground in a timely manner timely manner

Lighting ConsiderationsLighting Considerations

Incandescent Incandescent –– not good for plants needsnot good for plants needsGood for heat, day length controlGood for heat, day length control

Fluorescent Fluorescent –– supplement sunlight wellsupplement sunlight wellCombination of cool white with warm white will Combination of cool white with warm white will provide full light spectrumprovide full light spectrumCool white bulbs are more efficient than grow Cool white bulbs are more efficient than grow lights in providing supplemental lightlights in providing supplemental light

High Pressure sodium and metal halideHigh Pressure sodium and metal halide1/3 more efficient than fluorescent 1/3 more efficient than fluorescent -- costlycostly

Cold Frames / Hot BedsCold Frames / Hot Beds

Mini greenhousesMini greenhousesOld windowsOld windowsPlastic film on wood Plastic film on wood frameframeRigid plasticRigid plasticHinged top needed to Hinged top needed to regulate heatregulate heat

Cold Frames Cold Frames

DonDon’’t have to be t have to be coveredcoveredUsed to harden off Used to harden off plants before going to plants before going to fieldfieldCan use lattice or snow Can use lattice or snow fence to shade plantsfence to shade plants

Other Cold Frame UseOther Cold Frame Use

Earlier plantings of leafy greensEarlier plantings of leafy greensLettuce, spinach, Lettuce, spinach, swissswiss chard, parsleychard, parsley

Better in cool weather and lower lightBetter in cool weather and lower lightWintering containers Wintering containers –– Early forcing of tulips, Early forcing of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and crocushyacinths, daffodils and crocusForce early springForce early springNew markets???New markets???

Other Cold Frame UseOther Cold Frame Use

Late Summer SeedingLate Summer SeedingPlant broccoli, pepper, spinach, lettucePlant broccoli, pepper, spinach, lettuceEarly winter harvestEarly winter harvestSomething to market other than root Something to market other than root vegetables and winter squashvegetables and winter squash

Hot BedsHot Beds

Heating Cable Heating Cable Hole 6 inches deepHole 6 inches deepLay cableLay cableCover with sandCover with sand

ManureManure10 inch deep hole10 inch deep holeAdd horse or chicken Add horse or chicken manuremanureCover with window Cover with window screenscreenCover with soilCover with soil

Shade HousesShade Houses

Propagation of woody cuttings Propagation of woody cuttings –– some some perennials perennials In containers or in ground bedIn containers or in ground bed

Misting may be neededMisting may be needed

Finishing/conditioning plants Finishing/conditioning plants –– from from greenhouse before field plantinggreenhouse before field planting

Row CoversRow Covers

Flexible transparent materialFlexible transparent materialPerforated plastic, Perforated plastic, spunbondedspunbonded polyester polyester –– polypropylenepolypropylene

Floating or supported by hoopsFloating or supported by hoopsCan cover one or more rowsCan cover one or more rowsTrap heat of day Trap heat of day –– warm air and soilwarm air and soilWind protection, less moisture lossWind protection, less moisture lossMay be insect barrier depending on typeMay be insect barrier depending on typeThink of crop needs when deciding on type of row Think of crop needs when deciding on type of row cover cover –– temperature needs, pollination, growth habittemperature needs, pollination, growth habit

Supported Row CoversSupported Row CoversAlso Called Low TunnelsAlso Called Low TunnelsCan use PVC pipe, heavy Can use PVC pipe, heavy wirewireMore labor neededMore labor neededSupport needed for crops Support needed for crops such as tomato, pepper and such as tomato, pepper and summer squashsummer squashWeed control needed Weed control needed between rowsbetween rows

Low TunnelsLow Tunnels

Floating Row CoversFloating Row Covers

SpunboundSpunbound polyester or polypropylenepolyester or polypropylene70 70 –– 80% light, air and water transmission80% light, air and water transmissionPlaced directly on cropPlaced directly on crop0.5 0.5 –– 1.25oz. /sq yard1.25oz. /sq yardCovers under 0.5oz. Covers under 0.5oz. –– very little heat retentionvery little heat retentionOver 1.75oz. Significant light reductionOver 1.75oz. Significant light reduction22°° -- 44°° frost protection in spring, more frost protection in spring, more protection in fallprotection in fall

Floating Row CoversFloating Row Covers

For large covers weigh down centers to For large covers weigh down centers to prevent damage with high windsprevent damage with high windsInsect control may improveInsect control may improve

Maggot controlMaggot controlSquash bug controlSquash bug controlRemember needs for pollinationRemember needs for pollination

DonDon’’t trap insect pests t trap insect pests –– CPBCPB22--6 weeks earlier depending on local 6 weeks earlier depending on local conditionsconditions

Floating Row CoverFloating Row Cover

Zip HousesZip Houses

Mini greenhouseMini greenhouseAbility to easier Ability to easier regulate temperature, regulate temperature, light and ventilationlight and ventilationFrost protection down to Frost protection down to 2626°°Open and close easily Open and close easily from end of rowfrom end of rowReusable for 2Reusable for 2--3 3 seasonsseasons

Zip HousesZip Houses

Protects from heavy Protects from heavy rains, heavy winds and rains, heavy winds and small hailsmall hail2020--3030”” wide and 21wide and 21--2525””talltallCut to any length Cut to any length ––strings stay ready to pullstrings stay ready to pull500500’’ roll $158 + S&Hroll $158 + S&H

Zip HousesZip Houses

Zip House OpenedZip House OpenedSeveral hundred feet Several hundred feet opened with one string opened with one string pullpullNo dirt moved when No dirt moved when openingopeningOpens in secondsOpens in secondsAllows pollinationAllows pollinationCan be sprayed thru Can be sprayed thru open top

Zip House ClosedZip House ClosedRelease strings at end of Release strings at end of rowrowClosed in secondsClosed in secondsDouble layer walls Double layer walls Protects from wind, rains Protects from wind, rains and blowing soiland blowing soilMuch earlier growthMuch earlier growth

open top

Plastic MulchesPlastic Mulches

Used for years in vary colorsUsed for years in vary colorsAdvantages Advantages –– increased yields, earlier crops, increased yields, earlier crops, higher quality, weed control and enhanced higher quality, weed control and enhanced insect managementinsect managementWork well with drip irrigationWork well with drip irrigationHigh value crops High value crops –– melons, tomatoes, peppers melons, tomatoes, peppers cucumbers, squash, eggplant cucumbers, squash, eggplant ………………………………..Many considerations for color Many considerations for color

Plastic Mulches 2Plastic Mulches 2

Colors Colors –– black, white, clear, white on black, black, white, clear, white on black, red, green, silver reflecting, bluered, green, silver reflecting, blue--green, brown, green, brown, yellow, yellow, ectect..Red and black raise soil temps comparablyRed and black raise soil temps comparablyBlueBlue--green and brown warm soil like clear green and brown warm soil like clear without weed problemwithout weed problemRed, blue, yellow, gray and orange have Red, blue, yellow, gray and orange have distinct optical characteristics and reflect distinct optical characteristics and reflect different radiation pattern into the cropdifferent radiation pattern into the crop

Plastic Mulches 3Plastic Mulches 3

Blue and green plastic increased root:shoot Blue and green plastic increased root:shoot ratios in turnipsratios in turnipsYellow, red and blue increased green peach Yellow, red and blue increased green peach aphidsaphidsYellow attracted cucumber beetlesYellow attracted cucumber beetlesSilver repels certain aphid species and reduces Silver repels certain aphid species and reduces or delays virus in summer squashor delays virus in summer squashWhite or grey may require herbicide for weed White or grey may require herbicide for weed controlcontrol

Mulch Color and TomatoesMulch Color and Tomatoes

Penn State Study Penn State Study –– ‘‘SunbeamSunbeam’’ ‘‘Mountain Mountain SupremeSupreme’’Best yields on black Best yields on black –– worst on green infraworst on green infra--red red thermalthermalBlue, silver and brown reduced fruit sizesBlue, silver and brown reduced fruit sizesVarieties differ in response to same colorsVarieties differ in response to same colorsColors affect microclimate in variety of waysColors affect microclimate in variety of ways

Reflected Reflected wavelenghwavelengh, temperature, moisture, , temperature, moisture, humidity, insects and diseaseshumidity, insects and diseases

Mistakes in Mistakes in PlasticulturePlasticulture

Lack of firm uniform bed Lack of firm uniform bed –– hot air funnelinghot air funnelingLoose plastic Loose plastic –– can cover transplants, windcan cover transplants, windPoorly placed irrigation tape Poorly placed irrigation tape –– plant health, cut tape plant health, cut tape when plantingwhen plantingFailure to operate drip system immediately after Failure to operate drip system immediately after plantingplantingNot monitoring temperaturesNot monitoring temperaturesNot calibrating fertilizer injectors/ratesNot calibrating fertilizer injectors/ratesNot removing row cover from cucurbit crops during Not removing row cover from cucurbit crops during pollinationpollination

Hoop HousesHoop Houses

High tunnelHigh tunnelMany manufacturersMany manufacturersBuild your ownBuild your ownAnchored in groundAnchored in groundMany heights/lengthsMany heights/lengthsSome large enough for Some large enough for tractorstractorsSides and ends for Sides and ends for ventilationventilation

CropsCrops

Anything high value Anything high value Anything with early season premiumAnything with early season premiumFruits and vegetables, cut flowers, etcFruits and vegetables, cut flowers, etcKeep a crop later in the season Keep a crop later in the season –– extend extend harvestharvestStarting plants earlierStarting plants earlierWind protection / temp modification over Wind protection / temp modification over winter winter –– nursery plants, perennials and herbsnursery plants, perennials and herbs

Dan Mielke – tomatoes, peppers and cukesPenn State Research Facility

Hoop HousesHoop Houses

Selling fresh local tomatoes in JuneSelling fresh local tomatoes in JuneGive you months of extra hours in a growing Give you months of extra hours in a growing seasonseasonCultivating spinach and leafy greens year Cultivating spinach and leafy greens year roundround

BenefitsBenefits

Extending cropping seasonExtending cropping seasonAugust/September seeding August/September seeding –– spinach, broccoli, spinach, broccoli, other greensother greensHarvest until DecemberHarvest until DecemberLimited by sunlight w/out supplemental lightLimited by sunlight w/out supplemental light

Mulch with straw and harvest root crops Mulch with straw and harvest root crops throughout winterthroughout winter

One Growers ExperienceOne Growers Experience

20 x 96 foot tunnel20 x 96 foot tunnel4 rows tomatoes4 rows tomatoes2 rows of peppers2 rows of peppers1 row of cucumbers1 row of cucumbers

YieldsYields4,500 lbs of tomatoes4,500 lbs of tomatoes13 13 bubu of peppersof peppers300 lbs of cucumber

Cost of tunnel Cost of tunnel -- $2000$2000Sales > $5000Sales > $5000

300 lbs of cucumber

Outside Tunnel Inside Tunnel

Strawberry CropStrawberry Crop

Started on 4/15/03 by lowering sidesStarted on 4/15/03 by lowering sidesTemperature monitoring criticalTemperature monitoring criticalUse floating row cover on cold nightsUse floating row cover on cold nights

Picking started on 6/1/03 Picking started on 6/1/03 –– tunneltunnel6/11/03 6/11/03 –– plastic mulch with row coverplastic mulch with row cover6/26/03 6/26/03 –– berries without mulch or row coverberries without mulch or row cover

Berries were sweeter, cleaner, less distorted, largerBerries were sweeter, cleaner, less distorted, largerTunnel Tunnel vsvs nono--tunnel from 200 tunnel from 200 –– 380 % increase in 380 % increase in yieldyield

Strawberry VarietiesStrawberry Varieties

Early Glow Early Glow –– 200% increase in tunnel200% increase in tunnelHoneoye Honeoye –– 380% increase in tunnel380% increase in tunnelJewel Jewel –– 330% increase in tunnel330% increase in tunnel

Raspberry CropRaspberry Crop

Fall berriesFall berriesFirst ripe berries inside or out September 26First ripe berries inside or out September 26October 1October 1stst outside crop frozeoutside crop frozeTunnel berries produced until November 2Tunnel berries produced until November 2

Let berries freeze because of extended cold Let berries freeze because of extended cold weatherweatherToo costly to heat for amount of salesToo costly to heat for amount of sales

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Diseases and rotationDiseases and rotationMoving hoop housesMoving hoop housesDrainage around tunnelsDrainage around tunnels

Simple Simple HoophouseHoophouse

Simple to BuildSimple to BuildFrame of plastic or Frame of plastic or metal pipemetal pipeAnchored by ground Anchored by ground postspostsOpen ends Open ends Ventilation importantVentilation important

Doors, sidewalls other Doors, sidewalls other ventsvents

Classic AClassic A--FrameFrame

Very easy constructionVery easy constructionSteep roof sheds snowSteep roof sheds snowLimited space (no room Limited space (no room for benches)for benches)Growing space for tall Growing space for tall plantsplantsVentilation importantVentilation importantCan have second layer Can have second layer of plastic on insideof plastic on inside

Gothic ArchGothic Arch

Can be portable or Can be portable or anchored to foundationanchored to foundationCurved walls shed snowCurved walls shed snowInexpensiveInexpensiveLets in lots of lightLets in lots of light

Modified AModified A--FrameFrameSteep roof for shedding Steep roof for shedding snowsnowSits on frame of 4x4 posts + Sits on frame of 4x4 posts + insulationinsulationMore headroomMore headroomRoom for benches Room for benches –– storage storage underneathunderneathRoof VentsRoof VentsCan use triple wall plastic Can use triple wall plastic panels for more insulationpanels for more insulation

Sun Sun -- PitPit

Foundation sunk below Foundation sunk below ground with concrete ground with concrete block wallsblock wallsMore expensive initiallyMore expensive initiallyRecoup costs from Recoup costs from heating savingsheating savingsNeed good drainageNeed good drainageAccessibility concernsAccessibility concernsHigher initial costsHigher initial costs

Barn StyleBarn Style

Lots of light Lots of light –– good good headroomheadroomSolid sidewallsSolid sidewallsUse plastic panels or Use plastic panels or two layers of plastictwo layers of plasticWith foundation, greater With foundation, greater wind resistancewind resistanceAttractive designAttractive design

SlantSlant--Sided Barn StyleSided Barn Style

Sheds heavy snowSheds heavy snowWind resistanceWind resistanceSimple constructionSimple constructionAllows room for Allows room for benchesbenchesCan use double plastic Can use double plastic with squirrel cage fanwith squirrel cage fan

Attached LeanAttached Lean--ToTo

Strong, easy to Strong, easy to constructconstructEnergy savingsEnergy savingsCan attach to house wall Can attach to house wall with existing doorwith existing doorNeed good ventilationNeed good ventilation

Attached AngledAttached Angled--WallWall

Effective with cold Effective with cold sunny winters and hot sunny winters and hot summerssummersWall angled to face low Wall angled to face low winter sunwinter sunRoof is covered and Roof is covered and insulated against insulated against summer heatsummer heat

Attached SolarAttached Solar

Connected to house Connected to house with sliding glass doorswith sliding glass doorsHelps heating house in Helps heating house in winterwinterSummer Cooling from Summer Cooling from HouseHouseRigid acrylic or Rigid acrylic or polyethylene panelspolyethylene panels

Kit GreenhousesKit Greenhouses

Easy to constructEasy to constructEasily built in 1Easily built in 1--2 days2 daysLimited in sizeLimited in sizeCan be costlyCan be costly

ResourcesResources

www.mielkesfarm.net/hightunnels.htmwww.mielkesfarm.net/hightunnels.htmhttp://plasticulture.cas.psu.edu/http://plasticulture.cas.psu.edu/