plants. In Virginia, Pattison and Wolf (2007) have evaluated protected culture for season extension and report that a 7.3 × 60.9 tobacco greenhouse or high tunnel planted a density of ≈10 plants/m 2 can yield 619 g/plant for an approximate 60-d period
, combined with year-round consumer demand, create the need for extended fruit production into the off season. The climatic conditions in the Intermountain West require the use of season extension technologies so that growers may successfully supply markets
results indicate that high tunnels can effectively and economically be used in the Intermountain West as an early-season extension technique for strawberries. Fall planting dates for the in-ground tunnel and the east–west-facing vertical systems were
issue is the impact of restricted irrigation on root extension during the critical time of sod establishment. The objective of this work was to provide information on root extension of four warm-season grasses during sod establishment. Root extension was
, unpublished data). However, environmental conditions in the high-elevation, semiarid climate limit production quantity, quality, and timing. Growing seasons in northern Utah are varied and short (89–135 frost-free d), daily temperature fluctuations often
Sponsored by the ASHS Commercial Horticulture Extension Working Group (CHEX), this colloquium brought together eight leaders in high tunnel research. Gathered from across the country, the speakers discuss topics ranging from integrated pest
are critical for optimizing cut flower production against regional constraints ( Ortiz et al., 2012 ; Wien, 2009 ). Surveys of growers emphasize this need with season extension, control of bloom timing, and cultivar selection as the top
This material is based on work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Extension, Education Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, under Project No. MAS00786. Use of trade names does not imply
Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) is a cool-season crop; it achieves optimum growth and development at an average temperature of 18 °C. Production of lettuce at higher temperature ranges resulted in losses of yield and quality and led to some
Spunbonded polyester or polystyrene row covers were used as additional cold protection for spinach (Spinacia oleracea), kale (Brassica oleracea), pak choi (Brassica rapa) and P-types of lettuce (Lactuca savita) grown in ground beds under unheated polyethylene tunnels during the fall and winter of 1991 and 1992 in climatic zone 6. Temperatures inside poly tunnels averaged 2.4C warmer than outside. Average temperatures were 1.9C warmer than control under polystyrene and 1.5C warmer under spunbonded polyester. Average hourly temperatures showed both row covers offered significantly more cold protection than the greenhouse covering alone; but the two row covers offered similar protection from the cold. Row covers did not result in fresh weight differences in most of the species tested, except kale which had greater fresh weight in control. It may be concluded that during a similar mild winter, these cool season vegetables could be grown under unheated polyethylene tunnels with no additional protection necessary. When temperatures are lower, row covers could provide the protection required to produce these crops.