High-Tunnel 1 (H1) Completely Double-dug and Intercropped

This is our first year having our own high-tunnels (on farm site) to experiment with season extension. As soon as the ground was thawed enough, we started double-digging (for explanation of that term check out past blog http://www.naturespaceorganics.com/blog/5079) and transplanting seedlings from flats into the soil. Beginning March 10^th green onions, lettuces, salad mix, radishes, kohlrabi, beets, swiss chard, pak choi, chinese cabbage and kale began making their way into the soil.  Dig a row, plant row. Dig a row, plant a row. So rewarding… We transplanted tomatoes into the soil on March 25.^th Two nights later temperatures dipped down to the high teens. Even though the high-tunnels are not heated, temperatures didn’t go below 43º in the tomato micro-climate existing under a thick fabric row cover that rests over hoop frames. Water-filled black plastic tubing encircles the tomato bed and water-filled milk jugs are strategically placed throughout.  Both serve as heat sinks during the day and radiate their heat throughout the night to mediate the cooling temperature.  The row covers go on every night and come off first thing in the morning. Many other crops are covered as well.  So we tuck the plants in at night and rise the morning with them.  It’s very humbling to have so many lives depend on one’s consistency and commitment.  

In the foreground are the tomatoes going down the center and romaine and bunching onions intercropped down the sides. In the background are arugula and other salad mesclun mixings.