Managing a high tunnel for maximum crop production is challenging as you must utilize all available space by rotating crops in and out and keeping track of planting schedules. The document provides planting schedules and crop rotations for cool and warm season crops throughout the year to maximize production from a high tunnel. Record keeping of plantings, harvests, and temperatures is important for effective high tunnel management.
1. Managing your high tunnel for Maximum production! Au Naturel Farm Paul and Alison Wiediger
2. In our opinion, managing your high tunnel for maximum production is the greatest challenge. You want to utilize as much space as possible, rotating crops in and out, and you always have to be aware of what crop needs to go where, when!
12. Radishes & Turnips 9/1 Radishes & Turnips 9/15 Radishes & Turnips 10/1 Spinach – half bed, 8 rows wide 9/1 Spinach – half bed, 8 rows wide 9/15 Russian Kale (24 ‘), Winterbor Kale (24 ‘), Collards (24’), Swiss Chard (18’) Seeded in greenhouse 8/1 and transplanted on 9/1 90 Lettuce seeded 8/1 in greenhouse transplanted 9/1 90 Lettuce seeded 8/15 in greenhouse, transplanted 9/15 90 Lettuce seeded 9/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 10/1 90 Lettuce seeded 9/15 in greenhouse, transplanted 10/15 Carrots seed 4 rows ¼ bed each Napoli & Bolero 9/1 Carrots seed 4 rows ¼ bed each Napoli & Bolero 10/1 High tunnel – Ready to plant in September
13. Pak Choi, Tatsoi, Chinese cabbage 3/1 Pak Choi, Tatsoi, Chinese cabbage 3/15 Pak Choi, Tatsoi, Chinese cabbage 4/1 50 Tomatoes seeded 1/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/8 90 Lettuce seeded 2/8 in greenhouse transplanted 3/15 50 Tomatoes seeded 1/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/8 90 Lettuce seeded 2/8 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/15 Cherry Belle Radishes 3/15 Cherry Belle Radishes 3/21 High tunnel – Ready to plant in early March 90 Lettuce seeded 2/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/8 90 Lettuce seeded 2/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/8 90 Lettuce seeded 2/15 in greenhouse transplanted 3/21 90 Lettuce seeded 2/15 in greenhouse transplanted 3/21 50 Tomatoes seeded 1/1 in greenhouse, transplanted 3/8 French Breakfast Radishes 3/21
26. Some Important Records: Outside Temperature – min and max High Tunnel Temperature – min and max Seed and plant purchases Seeding/transplant/harvest planning We have developed a spreadsheet for our crop records that is helping to make us better managers both in the high tunnels and in our outside production. Although it takes considerable time to enter the data and keep it updated, it becomes more valuable each year in helping us make decisions. ANF Crop Record Template ANF Crop Records 2009
27.
28.
29.
30. The Organic Farmers Business Handbook By Richard Wiswall Building A Sustainable Business A guide to developing a business plan for farms and rural businesses By Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture