Garden Under Cover: Winter Vegetable Production in Low Tunnels

Garden Under Cover:Winter Vegetable Production in Low TunnelsCathy Rehmeyer, PhDFour Petal Farmwww.gardenundercover.comwww.motherofahubbard.com

Four Petal FarmBecause Locally-Grown Should Always Be In-Season

Banner, Kentucky

Our Climate:Plant Hardiness Zone 6bWinter Lows:2014 = -8 F2015 = -14 FAverage snow (season total) = 24 inchesEliotColeman

Winter growing methods:Open field and low tunnels covered with fabric row cover (no clear plastic!)

Urban Ag.Holler Ag.

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WinterCSA

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Micro Greens and Edible Flowers

Farm to School

Winter Growing:The Essential ElementsCHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS

The garden still freezes the key is selecting the right crops that can take it.

January 8, 2014

But how they came through last winter sold me!

January 9, 2014

Draw attention to sensor in middle of tunnel. Dropped down to 12 F

January 14, 2014 (-8 F the previous week)

January 24, 2014

The science of winter growing

Five Cold-Tolerant Crop FamiliesAlliaceae (Leek, onion, garlic, shallots)Amaranthaceae (Beet, orach, spinach, swiss chard)Apiaceae (Carrot, celeriac, cilantro, fennel, parsley, parsnip)Asteraceae (Catalogna, chicory, endive, escarole, lettuce, radicchio, salsify, scorzonera)Brassicaceae (Arugula, Asian greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, mustards, radish, rutabaga, kale, turnips)

Crops Appropriate for Low Tunnel Production: Root CropsRoot Crops (carrots, rutabaga, daikon radishes, beets, turnips, parsnips, scorzonera, salsify, parsley root)

Crops Appropriate for Low Tunnel Production: Greens

Crops Appropriate for Low Tunnel Production: Greens

Crops Appropriate for Low Tunnel Production: Overwintered Brassicas

Mache (Corn Salad)$5 for only 3.5 oz in Krogers and Whole Foods!Very cold-tolerant stays beautiful with minimum protection (Agribon-19 or GG17)

Baby Asian Greens and KaleSalad Greens = $5 - $6 per 8 oz bagGrown under AG-30 or GG34

Winter Growing:The Essential ElementsCHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTSCROP PROTECTIONDessication is more damaging to plants than cold temperatures protect them from windsGro-Guard 34 (equivalent to Agribon 30) is idealadd additional layer when