Putting Up a High Tunnel
boulderbelt
10 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (29)
randy41_1
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agoRelated Discussions
reflective plastic for high brix on peaches
Comments (25)Joe, I have tested it many times, anecdotally- I walk on many lawns that are mowed very low and they are not nearly as well anchored as grass mowed to a higher height- even with the same types of sprinkling systems (most installers use about the same water rates, I believe). This is especially apparent in early spring when a shallow root system is easy to be heaved by the frost of winter and becomes noticably loose after thaw. When I got into this business I read a lot of old orchard managment books and in hort-school studied lawn maintanance issues, and while the memory can do funny things I'm pretty sure that as grass grows up it grows down- not just for water but also nutrients. The only way you stop this pattern somewhat is if you use excess N and supply plenty of water. I have also frequently tried to establish trees in meadows mowed only once or twice a year and peaches in particular have a very hard time getting established in this set-up compared to frequently mowed grass. The weed-free mulched rings must be much wider because the tall weeds suck out so much more moisture. However, I think you make a good point, if there are as few evaporative days as we had in June and July there may not be a whole lot of gain having higher grass, but you have to think that a more extensive root system of grasses would have to slow tree uptake of water to some degree. All that said, I will admit to being no expert on lawns and welcome any research or anecdotally based contradictions to my thoughtful, but mostly from memory and observation BS....See MoreHelp with planning espilier or high tunnel
Comments (15)I don't see how 12 inch separation will make much of a difference shade-wise but will have an effect on air circulation which is what we do want. MY VARIETIES ___APPLES__ CANDYCRISP GIBSON GOLDEN DEL DAYTON ZESTAR SANSA MACOUN CALVILLE BLANC D'HIVER COX ORANGE PIPPIN SUNCRISP KARMIJN D'SONNANVILLE HUDSON'S GOLDEN GEM ORLEANS REINETTE JONAGOLD RED PRISTINE GRAVENSTEIN REBELLA HORSE ROXBURY RUSSET MELROSE CHENANGO STRAWBERRY KING DAVID SPARTAN ASHMEAD'S KERNEL WINESAP BLUSH ROSETTE GREANADINE THORNBERRY GOLDRUSH __PEARS__ SUNRISE SECKEL DOYENNE D'JULIETTE COMICE HIGHLAND MORENTINNI KEIFFER D'ANJOU UBILEEN ORCAS RESCUE CONFERENCE SUIJE COLLETTE ___CHERRIES___ EMPEROR FRANCIS RAINIER GOLDEN SWEET MONTMORENCY NORTHSTAR BING EVANS BUSH ___PLUMS___ SANTA ROSA BUBBLEGUM (TOKA) BURBANK OZARK PREMIER SWEET AUGUST SURPRISE ___APRICOT___ MOONPARK PUGET GOLD MONTROSE CHINESE (MORMON) SUNGOLD __PEACHES - NECTARINES___ 4TH OF JULY SATURN POLY WHITE HARKEN Q-18 HARDIRED NECTA ZEE ALSO 20 BLUBERRY BUSHES WITH RIPENING FROM JUNE TO NOVEMBER I have one of each. This selection is with different blooming and ripening times will keep me busy but hopefully in fruit from June to late November Wish me luck Mike...See MoreBuilding a tunnel over a tunnel
Comments (9)I have a wonderful upscale restaurant that has its own gardens but buys literally tons of my goods. It advertises as buying local and is highly touted. He advertises my business extensively and puts my farm's name all over his menu. It is the best relationship I have with any customer. He calls me up, asks what I've got, and I simply pick and deliver it. I've had nothing but compliments from them. Other restaurants mainly buy my fruit for their pies. I call them up, tell them what I have, and deliver. There couldn't be an easier way of moving a lot of fruit and produce when it's in season. I have a list of customers on an e-mail list---kinda like an informal CSA. I enjoy it, but it's a lot more complicated. As I've noted before, our market is abysmal. You'll put in twelve hours of work and maybe only make $35. It is really pathetic. Brook...See MoreMy High Tunnel is now a Low Tunnel
Comments (27)I am a little over halfway done rebuilding everything. I am getting good at patching together hoops from a pile of bent pipes. My cordless reciprocating saw is getting some good use. The high tunnel is 26 pieces of top rail; I bought 3 new ones. The rest will be the smashed pipes. It will be lumpy when I'm done, but it will still work. I had high hopes for the sleeve clamps, but they are junk. They rip apart immediately under stress. I have had much better luck by cutting up pieces of 1.5" EMT conduit elbows. They fit over the outside of the top rail. I think I could use the elbows to make an A-frame with top rail quite easily. A gothic arch would be trickier, but by cutting sections of the EMT elbow, I can make sleeve clamps that are angled. I'm surprised I hadn't read anything anywhere about connecting top rail with EMT elbows. It is easy and cheap. A 1.5" 90 degree elbow is about $4. Cut in half, it makes two nice 45 degree elbows. Tek screws hold it all together. If the same EMT pieces were sold as special greenhouse connectors, they would be 10x the price....See Moreboulderbelt
10 years agorandy41_1
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agojrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
10 years agojrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
10 years agocole_robbie
10 years agotomatoesandthings
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agopaflowers
10 years agorandy41_1
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agopaflowers
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agotomatoesandthings
10 years agotomatoesandthings
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agorandy41_1
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agorandy41_1
10 years agoboulderbelt
10 years agolittle_minnie
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years agobrookw_gw
10 years agorandy41_1
10 years agokennys_garden
10 years agomyfamilysfarm
10 years ago
Related Stories
FEEL-GOOD HOMEBack Problems? Try Putting Your Feet Up
Consider these alternatives to that one-size-doesn’t-fit-all sofa to avoid slumping and spinal stress
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: High Contrast Shakes Up a Townhouse
A tight budget and a run-of-the mill space didn’t stop two designers from whipping up chic interiors
Full StoryBEDROOMSDressed-Up Headboards Ride High in Bedrooms
In ensembles with artwork, found objects and original wall treatments, headboards get their rightful share of attention
Full StoryFURNITUREPut Your Furniture's Best Foot Forward
Hoof it up the high-design way with animal-shape feet that add eye-catching decorative flair to stools, benches, tables and chairs
Full StoryLIFESimple Pleasures: Put On Your Slippers
Preserve the peace and protect your floors and carpets by turning your home into a no-shoes zone
Full StoryARTNew Digital Art Frame Gets Put to the Test
Our writer sets up the EO1 at home, then invites artist friends over for a look — at images of their own work. See what they have to say
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNPut the Kibosh on Hair Dryer Chaos
Fed up with knocked-over blowers and tangled cords? Try these tactics for keeping hair dryers and other styling tools under control
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASGreat Garden Combo: 5 High-Intensity Plants for High-Intensity Sun
Blend bold foliage and flowers to create a powerful combination that will hold its own even in the harsh light of midsummer
Full StoryHOME TECHIf ‘High-Def’ TV Isn’t High Enough, Maybe You Need Ultra-HD
The ultra-luxury next generation of TV, called Ultra-HD, is finally here. And so is the first content, if you know where to look
Full StoryPATIO OF THE WEEKBargain Pieces Take a Sunny Outdoor Room High End
See how a design-savvy homeowner put discount furniture and big-box accessories together for a polished patio look
Full Story
boulderbeltOriginal Author