Dear Farmer,
January has seen some record low temperatures across the region.
Here in the Carolinas most of us have already experienced winter storms, power outages and snow, and we hope nobody experienced severe damage, or lost a high tunnel during last week's snow storm.
It is important to remember that snow and ice can cause damage to your high tunnels. You can minimize snow damage by knocking snow off high tunnels; starting before it accumulates too much and is unmanageable. This can be done with a long-handled shop broom or PVC pipe with a tennis ball at the end. Continue to knock snow off the high tunnel even as it begins to melt. This is because snow often melts unevenly on high tunnels, melting faster on one side, which may cause a weight imbalance that can ultimately lead to structural damage. If you have a greenhouse, turning on the heat, even though it might be empty, will help melt the snow, and in the long run, may be cheaper than fixing damaged structures.
Beyond that, many of us are perfecting production plans and gearing up for another productive season. The threat of freezing temperatures will hang around well into spring, dictating planting dates.
While high tunnels require active management amid snowy winters like this one, they can also catapult your early season production.
If you’re ready to think warm thoughts and dream of summer crops, then check out our expert tip this month on Early Spring High Tunnel Tomatoes below. Along with that theme, our NEW “Organic Seasonal High Tunnel Tomato Guide” is available and ready just in time for spring tomato preparations on your farm.
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Cheers,
Karen McSwain, CFSA's Director of Farm Services and Food Systems
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P.S. As you hunker down with crop plans and field maps, remember that you're not alone!
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We provide free consulting services to help our farmer members use sustainable and organic practices--whether that's through obtaining USDA organic or GAP certification, to how to successfully grow in high tunnels.
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by Gena Moore, CFSA Organic Research Coordinator
Tomatoes are one of the leading crops grown in high tunnels throughout the Carolinas. With the capability for season extension, tomato transplant dates for high tunnels are already quickly approaching.
Targeting an early market with tomatoes can mean higher profits for many farmers.
While most production plans are set for our upcoming growing season, there are some critical decisions to be made in regards to the implementation of a production plan. (To continue reading Gena's article, please head over to our website.)
And if you like what you read there, don't miss our brand new Seasonal High Tunnel Production: Organic Tomato Guide, which offers a deeper exploration of the ins and outs of growing one of the highest grossing specialty crops in North Carolina.
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High Tunnels let you start growing sooner, shorten days to harvest, and extend the harvest season into the winter months
But, efficient and sustainable management in high tunnels can be difficult. If you have experienced any of these issues with high tunnel production, CFSA’s High Tunnel Consulting Service can help. It’s FREE for members.
- Issues with planting dates, pest pressure, and variety selection
- Soil disturbance during the grading and installation process, as well as changes in runoff
- Issues with irrigation and soil moisture that affect production and plant growth
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Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Workshop
Florence, SC
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/good-agricultural-practices-gap-workshop-florence-sc/
Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference
Mount Olive, NC
Tuesday, March 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/oclc/
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