Hoop Houses Beth LaShell Fort Lewis College February 2, 2012
Old Fort Hoop Houses Hesperus, CO Summer House CO SARE Project Spring, 2008 Winter Greens- NMSU SARE Project Fall, 2010
Summer Hoop House Constructed in Spring, 2008 Crops Grown in Summer 2008: Tomatoes, Eggplant, Cilantro, Basil 2009: Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Jalapenos, Poblanos 2010: Tomatoes, Tomatillos, 2011: Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Peppers (Poblano, Big Jim), Eggplant, Basil Will replace plastic in 2012
June 1, 2011
July, 2011
Remove Plastic in Winter
Early Season Spinach Once plastic is removed in the Fall, spinach is planted. Generally emerges in March once snow has melted. Once plastic is put back on, the crop grows very quickly and is ready for harvest before the tomatoes are transplanted.
Intercropping In 2010, we planted cilantro and basil in between tomatoes in May. Harvested both herbs until mid-july when tomatoes got too big. Other growers intercrop spinach or lettuce
Frost Protection Hesperus, CO at 7600 feet 90 days normal growing season Spring winds tough on transplants Last Frost date is June 10 th Tomato Production Not possible outside 2009 and 2010 in Summer Hoop House Planted tomatoes on May 24 th Freeze occurred May 25 Picked first tomatoes by August 1 st Tomato production until mid October 150 days in 2010
Winter Greens Hoophouse Established in Fall 2010 19 identical hoophouses constructed 17 in New Mexico 2 in Colorado Data being collected: Germination (plant in late October/early Nov) Temperature Production Economic advantage
Winter HoopHouse Summer Crops 2010 Cucumbers, Basil, Peppers, Eggplant, Okra 2011 Tomatoes, Basil, Cilantro, Italian Parsley, Cucumbers
June 1, 2011
July 2011 Basil Tomatoes Italian Parsley
Temperatures Plastic usually gives you less than 5 degrees Can vary with amount of wind Addition of frost fabric (row cover) Agribon fabric Particularly useful in Winter Also retains moisture
Agribon Row Cover Light transmission varies with product Porous to water Can also be deterrent to pests Need to buy/make hoops Buy roll of wire from co-op Buy the wider rolls! Can double layer it in winter
Agribon Row Cover Prices (early season) Agribon 19 (additional 4 degrees) $157 for 83 by 1000 Agribon 30 (additional 6 degrees) $197 for 83 by 500 Agribon 50 (additional 8 degrees) $219 for 83 by 500 Source: Peaceful Valley (www.groworganic.com)
Temp (F) Air Temperatures In High Tunnel SJB Hoophouse Air Temperatures- October 27, 2009 to March 1, 2010 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 10/27/2009-20 11/3/2009 11/10/2009 11/17/2009 11/24/2009 12/1/2009 12/8/2009 12/15/2009 12/22/2009 12/29/2009 1/5/2010 1/12/2010 1/19/2010 1/26/2010 2/2/2010 2/9/2010 2/16/2010 2/23/2010 Date
Temp (F) Ground Temperatures under Agribon (Winter 2009-10) NM Hoophouse Ground Temps - Nov 30, 2009 to March 1, 2010 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 11/30/2009 12/7/2009 12/14/2009 12/21/2009 12/28/2009 1/4/2010 1/11/2010 1/18/2010 1/25/2010 2/1/2010 2/8/2010 2/15/2010 2/22/2010 Date
Germination Data 2009-2010 Lettuce, Spinach, Cilantro Planted Germinated DTG DTH 10/9/2009 10/17/2009 8 52 10/30/2009 11/6/2009 7 123 11/6/2009 11/19/2009 13 116 11/12/2009 11/25/2009 13 125 11/19/2009 12/10/2009 21 118 11/30/2009 12/22/2009 22 135 DTG: Days to Germination DTH: Days to First Harvest
Production Data for 5 row 11/30/09 to 4/14/10 Planted Spinach (lb) Lettuce Value $8/lb $/ft2 10/9/2009 13 7 $160 $ 32.16 10/30/2009 10 9 $152 $ 29.77 11/6/2009 5 7 $96 $ 17.83 11/12/2009 6 5 $88 $ 17.54 11/19/2009 6 8 $112 $ 22.88 11/30/2009 2 2 $32 $ 6.46
Increased Production/Longer Growing Seasons January, 2010 at Hesperus Planted in late October
January 2, 2012
30 x 80 Hoop House
May, 2011
July 10, 2011
Wildlife Animals will still seek out your tomatoes!! Keep the doors closed and the sides down if it becomes a problem Deer, Fox, Rabbits
Challenges of Hoop Houses at Hesperus Snow Load Wind Temperature Irrigation Particularly winter time Pests Soil Management
Challenges of Hoop Houses Snow Snow issues at Hesperus on December 5, 2009
Solutions- Additional Support 4 Hoop spacing Temporary supports
Challenges of Hoop Houses Temperature March 3, 2010 in Winter Hoophouse Minimum Maximum
Know your Critical Temperatures
Challenges of Hoop Houses Pests Warm environment in Summer Particularly if you mist or overhead water Aphids Continuous production Aphids Earlier than usual because no winter kill Fungus/Molds on ground More common under frost fabric Particularly in late Spring
Prevention Dry environment Pest Solutions Keep doors and sides closed Freeze out Solarization (140 degrees at 1 inch) Cover growing areas with clear plastic to raise soil temperatures to kill insects or spores
Treatment Aphids Lady bugs Insecticidal soap Water! Fungus/Mold Dry out area Allopathic plantings Pest Solutions Alliums and onions attract beneficial insects
Challenges of Hoop Houses Weeds Warm environment Early germination May be able to overwinter Example: Mallow!!! Space issue Often difficult to access weeds along sides Having sides that roll up give you access
Resources Website: http://www.hightunnels.org/news.htm Books - $16
www.hightunnels.org
Contact Information Beth LaShell, Fort Lewis College 18683 Hwy 140 Hesperus, CO 81326 970-385-4574 lashell_b@fortlewis.edu