High tunnels are low-cost season extension technology used for producing a diversity of horticulture crops (Lamont, et al., 2003). Specifically, high tunnels are passively vented, solar greenhouses covered with one layer of greenhouse plastic. Crops are grown directly in the soil beneath the high tunnel, and the only external connection is the drip irrigation system. In addition to accelerating crop growth and maturity, high tunnels protect the crop from a capricious environment where extremes in temperature, wind, rainfall, pests and light intensity can severely reduce marketable yields and quality. Using a high tunnel, crops can be harvested at peak horticulture maturity over a longer growing season because the crops are not weakened by insects, weeds or diseases.
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