This Tri-state high tunnel school webinar series is organized by Extension educators and specialists from three states: Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Different topics are designed for Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced high-tunnel growers. All sessions will be hosted via Zoom every Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm Eastern Time from February 25 to April 1, 2026. The webinars are…Read more about Tri-State High Tunnel School Webinar Series[Read More]
High Tunnels
As spring brings life back into our high tunnels, it also awakens more than just our crops. This year, our spinach beds became an early battleground in the age-old story between pests and their natural enemies. From the first warm days, we began spotting tiny green aphids clustering on young spinach leaves, sucking sap, and…Read more about Tiny Allies in the Tunnels[Read More]
Join us for an exciting new endeavor, the Tri-State High Tunnel School, focused on high tunnel production with information to benefit commercial growers, beginning farmers, and educators, among others. It is hosted by Extension Specialists and Educators with Michigan State University, Purdue University, and The Ohio State University. Indiana host locations and contacts: Goshen, IN…Read more about Tri-State High Tunnel School on March 14, 2025[Read More]
Selecting tomato cultivars can be both exciting and challenging, simply because there are so many options to choose from. Some growers settle on a few favorite cultivars and focus on fine-tuning their production practices to suit them. Others prefer to explore new cultivars every year, selecting those that best fit their evolving production systems. Regardless…Read more about Considerations for Choosing Tomato Cultivars[Read More]
As I sit by the window watching the snow fall, I can’t help but think about what’s on the minds of many high tunnel farmers right now: Can my tunnels withstand the snow? It’s a concern I haven’t faced in recent years, but this winter feels uncertain. As you can imagine, ensuring the safety of…Read more about Ready for the Snow, Resources for Tunnel Growers[Read More]
When we surveyed Indiana high tunnel producers eight years ago, about two-thirds of the operations grew cool season crops for harvest from November to March. Although spring field planting season is just underway, it is not too early to plan for markets and organize a production schedule for fall. This article summarizes common crops and…Read more about Planning for Fall and Winter Production in High Tunnels[Read More]
The April 8th solar eclipse reduced temperature and light for a period in the afternoon of an otherwise mostly sunny day. Sensors in an unheated high tunnel with open end walls at the Pinney Purdue Ag Center, Wanatah, IN, captured the change as the moon covered 96% of the sun (Figure 1). The air temperature…Read more about Air Temperature and Light in an Unheated High Tunnel During the Solar Eclipse[Read More]
Over the past two years, we’ve been testing various cucumber cultivars to see which ones are most vulnerable to pests in high tunnel systems. We split the cucumbers into two groups based on fruit characteristics for a fair comparison. The first group consists of pickle-type cucumbers, known for being small, blocky, and having thin skin….Read more about Selecting Your Ideal Cucumber Cultivar for High Tunnel Production[Read More]
Are you looking to enhance your knowledge of soil fertility management in high tunnel farming? Look no further! Let’s explore the crucial aspects of High Tunnel Soil Fertility Management that can help you grow abundant and healthy crops. Spring has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of planting cool and warm-season crops. If you…Read more about High Tunnel Soil Fertility Management: What You Need to Know[Read More]
Over the past year, we conducted a comparative study on microclimate conditions within caterpillar tunnels and high tunnels at five farms in Indiana. This initiative was prompted by the growing interest in employing caterpillar tunnels for season-extension vegetable production among small and diversified farms. Caterpillar tunnels, typically lower in height than permanent high tunnels, stand…Read more about Comparison of Microenvironment between Caterpillar Tunnels and Permanent High Tunnels[Read More]