Slide 1

Using Protected Culture in Small Farming

Bob HochmuthMulti County Extension AgentUF/IFAS Ed Skvarch Commercial Horticulture Agent UF/IFAS

First, What is Protected Culture?Use of structures, technology, or materials to provide protection to a crop.Protection from:Temperature and Light Extremes (high and low)Insects and wildlife pestsDiseasesWindRainfall, excessive dew, etc.Soil-borne problems (with soilless culture)

Plastic Mulch And Drip IrrigationFrost Covers, Row CoversTemporary Covers plus Misters (Microjets)Low Tunnels (1-2 feet high)High Tunnels, Walk-in Tunnels, Hoop Houses (usually about 8-15 ft high)Shade CultureGreenhouses (heating, cooling, shading, etc)Fan and Pad vs. Passively VentilatedPest Exclusion (screening and metalized mulch)

Examples of Protected Culture Structures, Technologies and Materials3

What is a high tunnel ? High tunnels are unheated, plastic-covered structures with the goals of using low-cost technology to increase yields, improve quality, and extend the season.

Dimensions High tunnels are tall enough to walk-in comfortably and to grow tall, trellised crops such as tomatoesThere are no standard dimensions for high tunnel sizes, but they typically fall within the ranges of 14-30 feet wide by 30-96 feet long

Environmental Control Most high tunnels are passively ventilated via roll-up sidewalls and end walls that can be opened or removed. Crops generally require no heat, though supplementary heat can be provided for protection.

Environmental Control Row covers used within high tunnels provide additional protection from cold temperaturesIn general, a single layer (the poly on the high tunnel) provides one hardiness zone of protection, and a second (the row cover) will provide another zone of protection

Site Considerations Check local zoning ordinances North/South axis to avoid shade and take advantage of predominant winds Removal of excess water is crucial 1 water falling on a 30x96 house= 0.6 gals/ft = 1,728 gallons Level & square Think about recapturing / reusing runoffLocation

Site Considerations Crops are typically grown in ground beds within the high tunnel rather than in containersCrops grown in these ground beds must be irrigated because rain cannot enter the protective structure

Production Systems

Benefits of High Tunnel Production New Opportunities to Grow Difficult CropsPrice Advantage (offseason)Hold Customers LongerMore Total SalesUniquenessFirst or Only to Have a ProductKeep Labor on FarmSpread Cash FlowBenefits of High Tunnel Production Less weed pressure? Insect & disease control ?Crop protection from wind, rain, cold, heat (with shade cloth)

Costs of High TunnelsUnlike commercial greenhouses that cost up to $20 per square foot to construct, high tunnels can cost as little as $0.50 per square foot

Costs of High TunnelsPer structure or per square foot $5500/(30 x 96) = $1.90/sq.ft. Including extras, labor and freight $5500 + $1500 = $7000 ($2.43/sq.ft.) Spread out over time (10 years) $700/year Operating costs/managementCosts of High Tunnels(roughly)FarmTek, Atlas, Stuppy$1200/(18 x 24) = $2.77 sq.ft.$5500/(30 x 96) = $1.76 Haygrove$22,000/(96 x 200) = $1.15 Homemade$1000/(14 x 100) = $0.71$500/(18 x 30) = $0.93Low Tunnels 0.61.0 m (24-39 in) in height Cover low growing crops such as lettuceFloating row cover material supported by small hoopsProtects plants from pests like aphids, thrips, and leaf-feeding beetlesCold & sun protection

Low Walk in Shaded Tunnels- Multiple UsesShade or Cold Protection

Focus Next on Open Shade Culture to Extend the Season in Florida

19Specialty Greens Under Shade

20Floating Lettuce and Greens Under Shade for Farmers Market Sales

21Waterkist Farms Floating Lettuce Under Open Shade Structure

Tomatoes of all Kinds Being Grown in FloridaShade Helps with the Tough Ones

23Heirloom Tomatoes Under Shade

24Tomatoes under shade in South Florida

25Lettuce under shade in South Florida

Hydroponic Peppers in a Shade House for Summer Production

27Great Interest in Open Shade Production in Florida

28Pepper Trials and Grower Experience = 30-45% Shade

Typical Shade House Pepper Set Up for Soilless Culture

30Research Trial Results at UF/IFAS- Suwannee Valley

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33Harvest ResultsHarvests June 16 November 9, 2006Total Marketable = 4,139 boxes/AFancy = 3,460 boxes/AUS No 1 = 477 boxes/AUS No 2 = 202 boxes/A

34Fruit SizeHarvest DatesAverage Fruit Width (in)z16 Jun3.6723 Jun3.6310 Jul3.5427 Jul3.4718 Aug3.0012 Sep3.1313 Oct3.359 Nov3.30z Average fruit width was determined by measuring 15 randomly selected fruits from the US Fancy category. Measurements were taken across the base of the fruit near the stem end, the widest part of the fruit.35For more information visit the Small Farms website at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day website at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu

The Protected Agriculture Information Network Invites you to attend the Treasure Coast Protected Ag Workshop Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Time: 8:00 am to 1:30 pm Hosts: Ed Skvarch, Christine Kelly- Begazo, Teresa Salam and Bielinski Santos Place: Indian River Research & Education Center, 2199 South Rock Road, Ft. Pierce, Florida Cost: FREE (RSVP to Teresa Salam [tsalame@ufl.edu] by November 4, 2011) or call the St. Lucie County Extension (772) 462-1660 to register by phone.