Growing Conditions and Crop Performance in High Tunnels Pepper, tomato, Bibb-type lettuce, watermelon, raspberry, strawberry (2016) - 11 pages
High tunnels are easy to build, low cost, low tech greenhouses constructed by covering lightweight aluminium framing with a single layer of polyethylene. There is no supplemental heat or power, but the sides and/or end walls can be opened manually to provide ventilation. Previous research conducted by the Vegetable Crops Research Program at the University of Saskatchewan has demonstrated the potential production and economic benefits of growing high value, warm season vegetable crops in high tunnels.
In 2013 two freestanding 3rd generation high tunnels (Fig. 1) were constructed at the University of Saskatchewan Horticulture Research Station in Saskatoon. The Gothic type tunnel system stays covered all winter. Its peaked roof is designed to shed snow and its stronger and more closely spaced arches are designed to withstand some snow and wind load. Price per unit production area of the Gothic type tunnel is nearly double the lighter duty standard tunnel (Supersolo).
It took about 40 person hours to construct each of the new tunnels and to get the plastic cover installed.
Results from the 2013, 2014 and 2015 trials in the high tunnels have been presented elsewhere.
