How to Grow Tomatoes in a High Tunnel
As warm-season vegetables, tomatoes need plenty of sunlight and warmth to thrive. In areas with short summers, extending the growing season is a challenge. High tunnels, or hoop houses, allow you to erect a temporary green house over the young plants in spring and extend the harvest season in fall. High tunnels consist of metal or plastic hoops that are placed over the plants, then covered with polyethylene plastic. These structures are tall enough to house 6-foot or taller tomato varieties, and provide easy entrance for garden chores. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Power tiller
- Fertilizer
- Drip hose
- Plastic mulch
- Stakes or cages
- Thermometer
Instructions
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1
Remove old plant debris from the garden bed before installing the high tunnel. Till the ground to loosen it and work in any compost or fertilizer you are using.
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2
Set up the high tunnel over the garden bed, following manufacturer's instructions. Generally, set up the series of hoops and drape the plastic over the top. Use two layers of plastic if possible to preserve temperatures better at night.
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3
Place a drip hose down each planting row and lay black plastic mulch over the garden bed and hoses. Weigh down the ends of the mulch with soil. Plastic mulch prevents weeds and maintains the warmer soil temperatures.
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4
Cut holes in the mulch for each plant. Plant tomato seedlings into the garden bed 1 to 2 inches deeper than they are at in their nursery pots. Transplant the seedlings once soil temperature in the tunnel is over 60 degrees F and when the seedlings are at least five weeks old.
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5
Install a stake behind each tomato after planting or place a tomato cage over the plant. Use cloth or plastic ties to fasten the plant to the stake or cage every 6 to 8 inches as it grows.
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6
Water as necessary to maintain soil moisture, providing approximately 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Irrigate with the drip hoses to ensure the water is reaching the plants under the plastic mulch.
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7
Place a thermometer inside the high tunnel. Open the ends of the tunnel to vent if temperatures go over 85 degrees F inside. Close the vents when temperatures are below 75 degrees F. High tunnels may be up to 40 degrees warmer inside than outside.
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Tips & Warnings
Raised beds in a high tunnel offer more temperature protection to tender tomato plants.
High tunnels also prevent some insect problems.
High tunnels add only an extra 3 to 7 F to the temperature at night. Use a portable heater if temperatures are dropping below freezing.
