High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 16, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 16, 2012


Summary:  We reviewed recommended sanitation practices after a tomato crop is finished to reduce disease in following crops.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 2, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes July 2, 2012

Summary: Hot and dry conditions have prevailed in the region over the last two weeks until storms over the past weekend. High winds from those storms have damaged tunnels in some areas. Yield and eating quality of tomatoes from high tunnels have been good this year, and demand and prices have been good. Tomato harvest in tunnels will be ending in July for many growers who will be moving to harvest field tomatoes. 


Join us again on July 16, 2012. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 - 12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call. Or participate without a computer by dialing 1-866-492-6283. 

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 18, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 18, 2012
[repost]
Summary: Dr. David Conner, Univ. of Vermont, tells about research on economics of 12 hoophouses in Michigan: average net revenue $3000/yr and average effective 'wage' $9/hour. Farmers with higher profits put in more time in the 'shoulder' months of March, April and October. Current farm reports: in southwest Michigan, tomato and summer squash harvest from tunnels has begun. In northwest Indiana ground for a new tunnel is being prepared with summer green manure crops and compost.

Join us again on July 2, 2012. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30 - 12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ <https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/>  and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call. Or participate without a computer by dialing 1-866-492-6283.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 4, 2012

 High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes June 4, 2012

Summary: Peppers in experimental trials at Meigs Farm are blooming; possible nutritional problems observed in red raspberries; white druplets seen in blackberries; blossom end rot and zippering of tomatoes observed; pests observed on tomatoes include aphids, cabbage loopers, yellow striped armyworm, and stink bug (eggs only).

Join us again on June 18, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or just dial 1-866-492-6283.

Dr. David Conner from Univ. of Vermont will join us to discuss results of his economic research on high tunnel production in Michigan. You might be interested in reading some of the information in advance. See 'Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses' at http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/uploads/files/59/HoopHouseBulletin.pdf, and 'Hoophouse Contributions to Farm Profitability and Food System Sustainability: Lessons from Michigan' at http://www.joe.org/joe/2011february/tt9.php. There is also an abstract ' Determinants of Hoophouse Profitability: A Case Study of 12 Novice Michigan Farmers' available at http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/22/2/215.abstract.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-21-2012

Summary: Crops are progressing well with small fruit harvest underway, cukes close to harvest, tomato and pepper fruit developing. Tomato pith necrosis has been observed.

Join us again on June 4, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or just dial 1-866-492-6283.

Tomato pith necrosis often causes the pith to appear rotten and the external stem to have necrotic lesions.  Photo by Dan Egel.

The stems of tomato plants affected by tomato pith necrosis often appear shriveled and wrinkled. Photo by Dan Egel.

Tomato Pith Necrosis:
Tomato pith necrosis has been observed recently in a high tunnel.  This disease is caused by a bacterium.   Although observations of this disease in Indiana are infrequent, growers should scout their production for tomato pith necrosis.  Management options include avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization and high humidity.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-12

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 05-07-2012

Summary: Discussion of bramble, especially raspberry, production in high tunnels. Tomatoes and strawberries are being harvested from tunnels in S. Ohio.

Raspberries in high tunnel, photo courtesy J. Miller.

Join us again on May 21, 2012. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283.

Reports:  

N. Central Illinois: Growers Supply 30x96 ClearSpan tunnel was erected with USDA grant funds in Spring 2011. Planted ‘Josephine’ red raspberries. Plants are supported with steel T posts and a double wire. Two hundred plants (2, 100-ft. rows about 7 ft. apart) produced 356 pints between Aug. 30 and Nov. 10 last year, the first harvest. Berry quality was excellent, much better than is found in grocery store. Berries could also be harvested both spring (June – mid-July) and fall.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes April 23, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes 04-23-2012

Summary: Tomatoes in northern and southern Indiana are doing well. Discussion topics included tomato varieties and advice on tunnel suppliers, structures, and construction. Additional resources are listed at the end of the posting.

Join us again on May 7, 2012, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283.

Reports:  

In southern Indiana, tomatoes in greenhouse and hoophouse look good. Butterflies/moths were observed in greenhouse last two weeks so an organic Bt product was used which controlled them well. One problem this year has been the ground cover. In past years black plastic mulch in the row and straw between the rows worked well. This year no black plastic in rows was used because weather was so warm it seemed unlikely there would be a benefit. However, the absence of plastic has really slowed the crop down. He has tried black weed control fabric in the past and it worked ok, but no longer uses it because it is necessary to clean and sanitize it at the end of the season.

In northern Indiana tomatoes planted in a small high tunnel (15X50) in the beginning of March are knee-high with buds, and are doing well. A second crop plant the end of March in a 30X72 tunnel also looks good. The tomatoes in both tunnels are covered with a row cover when it gets cold (40s, 30s, or 20s). Peppers were also planted at the end of March, even though it may be a little cold for them. This operation grows a number of tomato varieties; they are still experimenting to see what will work best. Most are indeterminate. Examples include: Big Beef, Cherokee Purple, Fourth of July (an early variety, did well last year with tomatoes harvested in June). Also cherry tomatoes: Sweet 100, Sweet Million, a black cherry, and Sungold.

In east central Indiana an organic farm is in the process of tunnel construction and plans to have 12,000 sq. ft. under cover by the end of the summer.

In Wanatah, the frame for the first movable tunnel at Pinney-Purdue has been erected and can be rolled along the rails. https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p19359101/

Questions/Discussion: Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

What’s better? Some say determinates won’t do well inside, will get pithy, and won’t taste good. One participants’ experience with Mt. Spring bore this out: the plant got large and tomatoes were not good eating quality. He uses mostly indeterminates now. However, he has seen determinates in a stake and weave system in Haygrove tunnels, managed using tractors like one would in a field situation. What experiences do people have in Indiana? Is anyone using determinate varieties in tunnels with stake and weave? How do they do?

A northern Indiana grower reports that he used BHN 589 last year, with stake and weave. Plants did well and tomatoes tasted good.

Some other varieties that have been observed in Indiana tunnels or in greenhouses using in-ground culture with stake and weave or cages for support include: Mountain Fresh, Celebrity, Florida 91, BHN varieties. Plants usually get bigger than outdoors Less nitrogen is needed inside. It is not uncommon for plants to get so big that the stake and weave or cage doesn’t adequately support them. For some images of various tomatoes and support systems in high tunnels, see http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/veg/tomsupport/tomato_support_systems/tomato_support_systems.html.

The high tunnel listserv from KSU has had discussions on this topic (see link to listserv in Resources section). Some varieties mentioned on that list include: Polbig, Florida 91, and BHN 589.

Questions/Discussion: Construction: Where to Get Tunnels, What Size, Mistakes to Avoid, etc.

The high tunnels web site has a list of sources for structures: http://www.hightunnels.org/resources.htm#StructureSuppliers

One individual purchased a 30X72 tunnel from R&M Produce Suppliers in Goshen. 

It’s important to make the tunnel strong enough to support snow, any crop supports (e.g. tomato strings) you might attach to the tunnel, and also to anchor it well against wind.

It’s important to think about how to get the heat out of the tunnel. Wider hoophouses are more difficult to cool with a passive system. In S. Indiana a 30-ft. wide structure with 4-ft. sidewalls, 4-ft. roof vent, and top 4 ft. of end walls dropped down still gets too hot for tomatoes in the summer. 30% shade cloth is used to reduce heat. Past experience showed that 50% or 60% shade cloth was too much shade for tomatoes.

In northern Indiana a grower is looking into applying a ‘whitewash’ to the hoophouse for shade in the summer.

In both northern and southern Indiana yellow shoulder on tomato has been a problem when temperatures are high in the tunnel.

It’s common for people to buy kits and put the structure together themselves.

The high tunnels listserv has also had discussions on structures. The discussion can be found by searching the listserv archive.

Please contribute to this discussion. Share your questions, experiences, and ideas by posting comments.

Resources:

High Tunnel Listserv

http://listserv.ksu.edu/web?SUBED1=HIGHTUNNELS&A=1

Pesticide Use in Greenhouse and High Tunnels from the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide 2012 (ID-56). Includes tables of insecticides and fungicides labeled for greenhouse use on vegetables.

http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/ID/ID-56/GreenhouseTunnel.pdf

The March 20, 2008 Hoophouses and High Tunnels program includes a nice presentation by Adam Montri about structures and building a hoophouse. You can download a pdf of the powerpoint, and watch the recorded presentation. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/tristate_organic/hoophouse_hightunnel_2008.html

Thanks to Roy Ballard for the following resources. Included are publications with enterprise budgets, and tomato and bramble production guidelines. They will be available in the file share pod of the HTCT Adobe Connect meeting room for a while. https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/

Horticultural Crop Production in High Tunnels in the United States: A Snapshot. T. Carey et al. 2009. HortTech 19:37-43.

High Tunnel Raspberries and Blackberries. C. Heidenreich et al. 2008. Cornell University. http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry.html

Iowa Vegetable Budgets. C. Chase. 2006. A1-17. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm

High Tunnel Yields. L. Jett. W. Virginia University.

Model Business Plan for Season Extension with Hoophouses. D. Conner. 2010. Michigan State University.

High Tunnel Tomato Production. L. Jett. 2004. Univ. of Missouri. http://extension.missouri.edu/p/M170

In-Ground Greenhouse Tomato Production. A. Carver. 2008(?). Univ. of Tennessee.

Should Production in High Tunnels Be Part of Your Specialty Crop Enterprise? HC Wien et al. 2009. Smart Marketing Newsletter. Cornell University.

Check out other resources at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/veg/plast.shtml.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes, April 9, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes: April 9, 2012

Report: Tony Bailey provided information regarding the NRCS EQIP program for high tunnels. This is a program designed to help offset the cost of a high tunnel for producers. Currently there are already forty-seven contracts confirmed for the program (in Indiana) for a total of $300,000. At this point, all the funds allocated for this year have been claimed. There are still some funding opportunities available for those interested in switching to organic or who already grow crops organically. There is a small chance funds will be shifted from other states that did not utilize their entire allotment and thus NRCS is still taking applications. http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqiphomepage.html#Seasonal_High_Tunnel_Initiative

Report: A producer in southern IN shared information on his tomatoes. He indicated that two varieties that perform well for him are ‘Trust’ and ‘Match’ in a greenhouse and high tunnel setting. He is also growing two other varieties (‘Cherokee Purple’ and ‘Better Boy’) in tunnels and the field. Some of the issues he has dealt with in past seasons included heat build-up in the summer and disease issues. With the excess heat in the summer time, production falls off and since he continues to maintain the crop it allows little time for him to establish a cover crop in the tunnels to build up organic matter. Some of the pathogens he deals with most seasons in tomatoes are sclerotinia and grey mold. He has noticed this season with the early warm weather that insects such as caterpillars/worms and weeds have become a problem earlier than normal.

Report: Shubin Saha and Scott Monroe. There was discussion regarding tomato symptoms seen in various locations in southwestern Indiana. Scott Monroe had images from high tunnel tomato operations which showed tomato plants exhibiting leaf curling. Based on the images, it seems that the cause is most likely related to physiological tomato curling. ( https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p93485184/ , https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p13536189/)The images Shubin had from the current research underway at SWPAC were of tomatoes that exhibited some leaf curling and distortion. (https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p11285964/ and https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p25267362/ . The symptoms of these plants appeared different than what was shared by Scott. These symptoms were more similar to damage associated with growth regulator herbicide exposure. 

Join us again on April 23, 2012, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes April 2, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes April 2, 2012

We had a High Tunnel Crop Talk this week since it had been advertised, but normally plan to talk every other week.  Join us again on April 9, 2012, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283. Tony Bailey from NRCS will join us to talk about the EQIP program for high tunnel grants in Indiana.

Reports: In southern Indiana tomatoes transplanted into tunnels around the first of March were about a foot high last week. If weather turns wet, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some Sclerotinia (also known as white mold or timber rot) turn up. (Scott Monroe) (see issues 435 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/vegcrop/VCH2004/VCH435.pdf and 463 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/pubs/vegcrop/VCH2006/VCH463.pdf of the Vegetable Crops Hotline (VCH) for an image and description)

Another problem often seen on tomatoes around this time of year is curling leaves. Sometimes this is observed when there is too much moisture. In other cases a heater that is improperly vented or exhausted releases enough ethylene into the air to cause tomato leaves to bend down or curl. Other pollutants from heaters can cause speckling of leaves and/or scorching of leaf margins. (See VCH issues 487 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/pubs/vegcrop/VCH2007/VCH487.pdf and 474 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/vegcrop/VCH2007/VCH474.pdf for image of epinasty on fall-grown greenhouse tomatoes and information on heaters in greenhouses.)

In Wanatah, rails for the first movable tunnel at Pinney-Purdue have been installed https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p85997770. They are on packed gravel that was placed in a trench approximately 7 in. deep x 8 in. wide. Each 3-ft. ground post at the end of the rail has a short piece of horizontal rebar through holes drilled about 10 in. from the bottom end of the post https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/p79877158. The rebar will help to anchor the post into the concrete poured in the hole around the post. (Liz Maynard)

Suggestions for future topics: General information about high tunnels and their uses, supplying plant nutrients during the growing season.

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes March 26, 2012

High Tunnel Crop Talk Notes March 26, 2012

We held the first High Tunnel Crop Talk today! A summary of our discussion is below. (Participants, please let me know if there’s a need for any corrections; I’ve done my best but may have missed or misunderstood something – Liz.)

Join us again in two weeks, April 9, 2012, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central. Point your web browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ and click on the phone icon to be dialed in to the call, or dial 1-866-492-6283. Tony Bailey from NRCS will join us to talk about the EQIP program for high tunnel grants in Indiana.

Report: Matt Rudisill’s research on how organic fertility amendments are mineralized in the soil is getting underway for the second season at Purdue’s Meig’s Research Farm near Lafayette. He is comparing nutrient release from different sources, including composted chicken manure from Rose Acre Farms and plant-based amendments. Last year the plant-based source was alfalfa meal and this year it will be a cover crop of hairy vetch, plus additional alfalfa meal if needed. The hairy vetch grew very well over winter and is still growing in the tunnel. Bell pepper seedlings are getting started in a greenhouse and will be transplanted to the tunnel later. At this time he is taking soil samples in the greenhouse.

Report: At an organic farm in Ohio, preparation is underway for two new tunnels, 20-ft. wide, to be used for both summer and winter crops. The tunnels, from Tunnel Vision Hoops, will have retractable dome ends that allow for more space and handle winds better. Double poly will be used, with blocks between the layers to provide an air pocket that will provide additional insulation.

Question: is 20 ft. wide enough to maintain heat in the structure for winter crops?

A smaller structure will lose heat more quickly, but will also warm up more quickly. (Shubin Saha)

The Virtual Grower program can be used to estimate heating costs for greenhouses of various sizes and construction. It was developed by Jonathon Frantz, USDA/ARS in Toldeo and may be downloaded from http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=309. See the end of this post for example calculations related to this question. (Liz Maynard)

Report: Tunnel-grown organic fall-bearing red raspberries in Ohio are 3 to 4 inches tall. They are grown on a TGS trellis system. The raspberries are in their fourth season. They have done well until last year when yellow rust significantly decreased production. Canes have been cut back and roses along fence line removed. A soil test showed need for additional nitrogen so compost was applied and red clover was sown in the aisles. The berries are mainly sold wholesale to grocery stores, with a few to restaurants and farmers market.

Report: Shubin Saha, Vegetable Specialist located at Southwest Purdue Ag Program (SWPAP) in Vincennes, has two of three 30X96-ft. structures ready for production this season at SWPAP. He will be doing a replicated tomato variety trial this year. The varieties include 7 indeterminate (Big Dena, Panzer, Arbizon, New Girl, Estiva, Imperial 643, and Potenza) and 2 determinate (Rocky top and Red Deuce). He is emphasizing inderminate varieties because they make better used of the vertical space. Tomatoes are on 5-ft. centers, 2-ft. in-row spacing. Seed companies represented include Syngenta, Enza Zaden, Johnny’s, and Harris Moran. He is finishing up fertilizer application in the tunnel and will soon be laying plastic mulch.

Question: How do you spray tomatoes in high tunnels?

Create a trellis. Remove lateral shoots on tomato plants so there is just a single stem. Use a braided steel cable down center of row. Drop a string down from cable (‘Tomahook’ and other spool systems are available) and train tomato along it. As tomato grows and fruit are harvested, lean and lower tomato plants.

For spraying, Shubin has used a backpack sprayer in the past. This year he has developed a sprayer that can be pulled through the high tunnel. It is based on a garden cart, has a mixing tank, battery for the pump, and boom with nozzles spraying parallel to the ground. (Shubin Saha)

Diseases likely to be found on tomatoes in greenhouse include early blight, leaf mold, and bacterial diseases. Management recommendations are available in the tomato section of the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, ID-56 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/ID/ID-56/. On page 12 materials for use greenhouses are listed http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/ID/ID-56/GreenhouseTunnel.pdf. (Dan Egel)

Question: What happens to tomatoes when it gets down into the 40’s or high 30’s? Would it make sense to put a propane construction heater in the tunnel?

When it gets below 50°F tomato growth slows down. Wouldn’t recommend a construction-type propane heater in the tunnel. (Shubin Saha)

Question: How do you avoid condensation in the greenhouse? Other than venting, is there any solution?

When using two layers of poly with a fan blowing air between the layers, set the fan to pull air from outside the greenhouse, not from inside the greenhouse. This will reduce condensation between the layers of plastic. To reduce condensation inside the greenhouse, vent, especially just before the end of the day. (Shubin Saha and Liz Maynard)

Greenhouse films with anti-condensation properties are available. They have an additive so that drops don’t form and the water rolls down the plastic instead of dripping. Several brands are available. (Roy Ballard)

There are also products that can be sprayed on to reduce drop-formation; they do rinse off over time. One example is Sun Clear. (Liz Maynard)

Question: What are some good resources for someone starting to research high tunnel structures and production?

The Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Connection has links to recorded programs on high tunnels, and key sites at other states. See http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruitveg/veg/plast.shtml .

Report: Liz Maynard reported on two 48X30 rolling high tunnels under construction at the Pinney-Purdue Ag Center in Wanatah. Work is beginning on shallow trenches for the rails on which the wheels attached to the bottom of the structures roll.

Resource: This publication might be of value especially if you are using compost or manures in your production system. It discusses potential for carryover of particular herbicides in compost and manure. (Roy Ballard)

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/ncorganic/special-pubs/herbicide_carryover.pdf

Example calculations from the Virtual Grower Program (see above)

The Virtual Grower program doesn’t exactly answer the question posed today – how much colder would a 20-ft.-wide greenhouse be than a 30-ft.-wide greenhouse – but it can answer the question how much more would it cost to heat a 20-ft greenhouse than a 30-ft. greenhouse. If one greenhouse costs more to heat than another, than without heat it would be colder. The table below shows relative heating costs to maintain a minimum temperature of 30°F in various double-poly greenhouses, 16 ft. tall with 4-ft. sidewalls and corrugated polycarbonate end walls, in Toledo, Ohio. The calculations were done using Virtual Grower 3. The 100 X 30 ft. greenhouse costs more to heat because of the increased area, but costs the least on a per square foot basis. Comparing the 100 X 20 and the 67 x 30 structures, both about 2000 sq. ft., the 67 X 30 costs slightly less to heat. The cost assumes a propane heater operating at 45% efficiency and propane at $2.40/gallon.

Length X Width (ft.)	Total Area (sq. ft.)	Cost per Year ($)	Relative Cost	Relative Cost per Sq. Ft.
100 X 20	2000	2,125	1.00	1.00
100 X 30	3000	2,687	1.26	0.84
67 X 30	2000	2,000	0.94	0.94

(Liz Maynard)

Contacts

Name: email (all @ purdue.edu)

Liz Maynard, Horticulture Specialist at Purdue in Valparaiso: emaynard

Dan Egel, Vegetable Pathologist at Southwest Purdue Ag Program in Vincennes: egel

Shubin Saha, Vegetable Specialist at Southwest Purdue Ag Program in Vincennes: ssaha

Roy Ballard, Purdue Extension, Hancock County: rballard

Note: Mention of specific products does not constitute endorsement by Purdue University.

Join Purdue Extension for ‘High Tunnel Crop Talk’

What: A regular discussion of crop progress and current issues for crops in high tunnels and food crops in greenhouses.

When: Monday, March 26, 2012, 12:30-1:30 Eastern/11:30-12:30 Central, and every other week for the growing season. Dates through June: April 2, April 9, April 23, May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18.

Who: Growers, Purdue Extension Educators and Specialists, Students, NRCS Staff, Others interested in the topic

Where: Dial 1-866-492-6283 for audio. To see images and other shared resources (optional), point browser to https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/ (high speed internet only)

These bi-weekly discussions hosted by Purdue staff will include reports on progress of high tunnel or greenhouse crops, and questions and answers about current production issues. Participants may share images of their crop by emailing them to emaynard at purdue.edu by 8:00 p.m. Sunday with HTCT in the subject line. During the discussion, photos and other visuals will be viewable in an Adobe Connect meeting room accessible via high-speed internet. A summary of each discussion will be posted on the Indiana High Tunnels blog at http://www.indianahightunnels.blogspot.com/.

Sponsored by:

Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

USDA/SARE Indiana PDP Program

For more information:

Liz Maynard

emaynard at purdue.edu

219-531-4200 ext. 4206

High Tunnels at Indiana Horticultural Congress

Registration information for the Indiana Horticultural Congress and the Hotel can be found here http://www.inhortcongress.org/

On Wednesday of Hort. Congress, Jan. 20th, one of the tracks will focus on High Tunnel production. We have some exciting speakers joining us. The agenda for that session is below –

High Tunnels 1/20/2010

This Program is Sponsored by North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

8:30 Welcome – Amy Thompson, Purdue Extension Educator

8:40 Producer Panel – Perspectives on Current High Tunnel Production in Indiana

9:20 Wish Lists For Your Next High Tunnel – Adam Montri, Student Organic Farm Outreach Coordinator, Michigan State University

10:15 – Break

10:45 – Small Fruits For High Tunnel Production – Kathy Demchak, Pennsylvania State University

11:45 –Lunch Break

1:15 – Clarifying Rules for High Tunnel Applications - Fred Whitford, Director Purdue Pesticide Programs & Dan Egel, Extension Vegetable Pathologist, Purdue University

2:00- Creating a Fertility Management Program for Your High Tunnel – Liz Maynard and Shubin Saha, Regional Horticulture Extension Specialists, Purdue University

2:50 Break -

3:00 Options for 12 Months of Production – Adam Montri, Student Organic Farm Outreach Coordinator, Michigan State University

Hoophouses Help Bring Local Food to University

Michigan State University is beating Mother Nature by taking farming indoors in an innovative way. An unusual partnership among foodservice staff, student farmers and faculty at 46,600-student Michigan State University is heralding a new era of sustainable and organic meals for on-campus foodservice venues. The catalyst for the partnership is the hoophouse. These low-energy hoophouses enable students to farm year-round without harming the environment or depleting it of its natural resources.Related ATTRA Publication: Bringing Local Food to Local Institutions

Using Waste Energy For High Tunnel Production

December 11, 2009
Waste energy to be captured for winter crop production
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Using water generally lost through evaporation from Purdue University's power plant, a researcher believes he can heat the ground during winter months and grow produce under cover that would taste better and cost less at local markets.
Cary Mitchell, a professor of horticulture, is one step closer to building a high tunnel structure that could affordably allow for out-of-season growing in Midwestern states. The tunnels, like greenhouses, would trap heat and moisture while water used to cool Purdue's coal-fired boilers would be piped underground beneath the tunnels to heat the ground to a suitable temperature for growing.
"That energy, the hot water created by cooling boilers, is usually just vented into the air," Mitchell said. "This would put that energy to use."
Mitchell, who hopes to build at least one 30-by-96-foot tunnel near the Wade Power Plant this spring or summer, on Friday (Dec. 11) accepted a $75,000 grant from Walmart to aid in his work.
Later phases of Mitchell's research would add heat-pump technology to increase air temperatures in the tunnels and heat engines that could convert low-grade heat to electricity for supplemental LED lighting.
Larry Whitlow, Walmart market manager for the Lafayette area, said the company is interested in the research as a way to cut some of its costs and benefit local communities.
"The high tunnel research ties right into two of our company's initiatives: sustainability and encouraging local economic growth," Whitlow said. "We're finding that with sustainability, there's a cost savings. By selling local produce in our stores, there is less freight and shipping cost, and that keeps prices low for our customers."
Mitchell said produce grown in high tunnels could be left to ripen on vines instead of ripening during the shipping process, increasing the quality.
"We'll be able to do locally what they do 1,500 miles away," Mitchell said. "We pay so much for shipping, and the produce sits in a truck degrading for a week."
The Walmart grant puts Mitchell over the halfway mark for the project, which is difficult to raise money for because many funding agencies do not support infrastructure development.
"Hopefully this Walmart initiative will help catalyze the rest of the funding we need," Mitchell said.
Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu
Sources: Cary Mitchell, 765-494-1347, cmitchell@purdue.edu

'2009 Central Indiana Twilight Vegetable Grower Tour

Time: August 3, 2009 from 6:30pm to 9pm

Location: Tuttle Orchards

Organized By: Roy Ballard

Event Description:

On the evening of Monday, August 3, 2009 vegetable growers are invited to attend a free twilight tour to discuss some of these topics with Extension specialists from Purdue University at Tuttle Orchards in North western Hancock County. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. local time.

The purpose of this meeting is to offer vegetable growers of Central Indiana a chance to gather, discuss current growing conditions and learn of pest pressures their crops are experiencing and how to reduce the impact of these on the yield/value of their crops.

Participants will also have a unique opportunity to take a guided tour of the Tuttle Orchards vegetable fields and to learn from co-owner Mile Roney about his recent experiences with drip irrigation and high tunnel production of tomatoes.Drs. Liz Maynard-Extension Horticulturalist and Rick Foster-Extension Entomologist will share their current research and provide an update on varieties and pest pressure that they are seeing across Indiana.

Dr. Maynard will display some new sweet corn varieties from her current trial work in Northern Indiana and Rick Foster will describe the potential the corn earworm trap that is sited at the Tuttle farm to reduce pesticide use and costs.

The evening will wrap up with a brief August business meeting of the Hancock Harvest Council.The Hancock Harvest Council is a group of farmers seeking ways to enhance their place in the market by working together to meet the needs of consumers who wish to buy fresh farm products from local farmers. The Hancock Harvest Council serves farmers in Hancock and all contiguous counties.Please call 317-462-1113 or e-mail rballard@purdue.edu to register

Potassium and Nitrogen Deficiencies in Tomatoes - submitted by Mark Kepler

On July 10, 2009 Liz Maynard, vegetable specialist and myself (Mark Kepler) went to Titus Oberholtzer’s two high tunnels in which he is growing fresh market tomatoes. Liz brought along meters used for analyzing leaf petioles for Potassium and Nitrate levels. We tested plants that have a yellow shoulder problem.

Levels in these plants were substantially lower in Potassium (1400 ppm in plants with yellow shoulder disorder vs. 2200 ppm in normal plants). Leaves in another greenhouse were compared for nitrogen levels. The stunted plants had nitrate levels of 360 ppm and those larger plants had a reading of 2500 ppm nitrate, confirming suspicions of a nitrogen deficiency.

These results were consistent with recent tissue test results for entire leaves performed by a commercial lab. It is my opinion this is a good tool to use in greenhouse situations to monitor plant fertility levels.

Late Blight of Tomato - News from the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab

Senior Diagnostician Gail Ruhl from the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab (PPDL) sent out this message concernting Late Blight on Tomato...... The PPDL has had two questions pertaining to Late Blight on Tomato today. This disease has not been confirmed in the Midwest so far this year. We are putting together a picture of the week to provide info on this recent development in the NORTHEAST states but in the meantime here is some information for you.

Tomato plants infected with late blight (causal organism Phytophthora infestans) have been shipped to large retail stores throughout the Northeast region of the country, from Ohio to Maine. The disease has been confirmed on tomatoes in New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. Late blight is a very contagious disease that infects members of the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, sweet peppers, etc.). While the disease is not uncommon in home gardens it is rather unusual for tomatoes to be infected this early in the growing season.

Since there are many look-alike diseases on tomato leaves identification requires microscopic examination, not visual determination. Suspect samples should be submitted to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab for confirmation. Diagnostic Service Fees for SUSPECT LATE BLIGHT CONFIRMNATION will be covered by our National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) funding.

Two pertinent links:Late Blight on Tomato Plants at Local Large Stores in Most States in the Northeasthttp://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/LateBlightJune09.html

Tomato Diseases and Disordershttp://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1266.pdf --

Tom Creswell and Gail RuhlPlant and Pest Diagnostic Labhttp://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/

Indiana Horticulture Congress

I can honestly say that this is the first entry to a blog that I have written...

Here it is July...county fair time... and you are probably nearing peak production time for many crops. I hope the High tunnels have buffered your production from some of the "irregular" weather that we have received this spring.

It is not too early to begin thinking about what subjects that you would like to learn more about to make your high tunnel as profitable as possible with the least amount of inputs.

We are in the early discussions about the content/presenters for a high tunnel session/sessions for the 2010 Indiana Horticulture Congress...While January seems like a long time from now my quick research shows that as of this writing Christmas is only 168 days 10 hours and 33 minutes away and Hort Congress is less than a month after that!

If you have High tunnel/season extension topics that you would like to learn more about and /or if you know of good presenters for those topics... we would like to know of them.

Hope that you have a productive and profitable July...

Remember that Indiana Market Maker can be a great tool to help connect with folks who want to buy fresh local Indiana products....and it's FREE!!!

Roy Ballard
317-462-1113