High Tunnels

We now grow Strawberries, Raspberries,
Tomatoes, Cherries, Blueberries and Flowers in High Tunnels.

In the spring of '03 we erected our first high tunnels. That block (above) consisted of three tunnels covering 1/6 of an acre.

Then in '04 we erected three other blocks of tunnels on strawberries, cherries, blueberies, and rasberries.

This year we have about 5 acres of product protected by the high tunnel.

Raspberry Tunnels

Top Bay: black raspberries
Top Middle Bay: black raspberries and 1 row of corn
Bottom Middle Bay: Tomatoes
Bottom Bay: Green/Yellow Beans and Zucchini

Blueberry Tunnels

Top Bay: Table Top strawberries
2nd to Top Bay: strawberries and raspberries
Middle Bay: Bottom Bay: Blueberries

2nd Cherry tunnels

Top - Bottom Bay: Cherries

~ Benefits ~

- Protection from frost and freezing at bloom time. By covering the sides of the tunnels with plastic, we can raise the temperature noticably.

- Earlier harvest. By increasing the average temperature in the tunnels, the fruit ripens faster.

- Protection from bird damage. During the season, netting is pulled over the structure to prevent birds from entering.

- Protection from splitting on cherries due to excess water. Cherries are extremely susceptable to excess water around harvest time - if even a single heavy shower hits, entire crops can be lost. With plastic covering the trees in our high tunnel, they are protected from this.

- Protection for raspberries. Raspberries will rot from even small amounts of moisture on them. This is only when the berries are ripe. They will not rot before then.

"Work in Progress" Pictures