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Frequently
Asked Questions-Orientation, Dimensions & Purchasing |
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1.
What is a high tunnel? |
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2.
How does a low tunnel differ from a high tunnel? |
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3.
Where can I purchase a high tunnel? |
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4.
How much does a high tunnel cost? |
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5.
What are the typical dimensions of a high tunnel? |
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6.
Where should I place a high tunnel on my farm? |
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7.
Should I grow vegetables in a greenhouse or a high tunnel? |
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8.
Can a high tunnel be movable? |
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9.
Do I need to have a building permit for my high tunnel? |
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10.
What is the optimal orientation for a high tunnel? |
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11.
How high should the sidewalls be for a high tunnel? |
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1.
What is a high tunnel?
A high tunnel is
a solar heated greenhouse with no electrical or automated
ventilation that is used to extend the crop production season
for many horticulture crops. Crops that are produced within
high tunnels are grown in the ground with drip irrigation.
(Jett) |
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2.
How does a low tunnel differ from a high tunnel?
In
a nutshell, you can stand upright in even an inexpensive high
tunnel, but low tunnels are too short. Basically, low tunnels
can be constructed by placing wire hoops, spaced 3 to 4' apart
and about 1.5' high at the apex, over a row of crop to provide
additional
protection from low temperatures. (Williams)
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3.
Where can I purchase a high tunnel?
There are several manufacturers
of high tunnels. Go to Resources
to view a list of suppliers.
(Jett)
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4.
How much does a high tunnel cost?
High
tunnels cost approximately $0.75-1.50 sq ft. This includes plastic
and the
frame structure. As a rule of thumb, you should expect to pay
at least an
additional 25% for end-wall lumber, site preparation, water
lines and other
accessories. (Jett) |
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5.
What are the typical dimensions of a high tunnel?
High
tunnel dimensions range from 10-30’ width x 9-12’
height x 96’ length. (Jett) |
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6.
Where should I place a high tunnel on my farm?
A
high tunnel should be placed on a level, well-drained, accessible
site. High
tunnels can be moveable, however, if you wish to have a stationary
unit, you will have to amend the soil each season or year
to maintain fertility. (Jett)
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7.
Should I grow vegetables in a greenhouse or a high tunnel?
Input
costs for greenhouse vegetable production are significantly
higher relative to high tunnel vegetable production. Greenhouses
cost approximately $6 sq ft or almost five times the cost of
a high tunnel. (Jett) |
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8.
Can a high tunnel be movable?
Yes. One of the primary objectives of a high
tunnel is to expand the harvest
period. Movable high tunnels are moved on to existing plots
of land to accelerate growth or extend the growing season for
that crop. However, relative to stationary high tunnels, they
are less airtight. Consult Eliot
Coleman’s Winter Harvest Manual for additional information
on design of movable high tunnels
(Jett)
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9.
Do I need to have a building permit for my high tunnel?
Generally speaking, high tunnels are considered
to be impermanent structures. However, you may need to check
with your local zoning regulations. (Jett) |
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10.
What is the optimal orientation for a high tunnel?
Unlike
greenhouses, orienting a high tunnel for sunlight is not as
crucial. A high tunnel should be oriented in a direction that
is perpendicular to the prevailing winds on your farm. Remember,
all ventilation is manual, so you depend on the wind to ventilate
your house. In Missouri, our winds are predominantly from the
south-southwest. Thus, for spring tomato production, we find
an east-west orientation to be optimal.
(Jett)
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Different
orientations affect ventilation at the Research Facility in
Columbia Missouri. |
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11.
How high should the sidewalls be for a high tunnel?
A five-foot high sidewall is superior to a 3’
sidewall with respect to air circulation. However, high tunnels
with lower sidewalls may be slightly warmer. (Jett) |
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