Top 5 Tips to Winterize a High Tunnel

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Specialist Joseph Hannan speaks on the steps you need to take to winterize a high tunnel.
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[@salinabrown281]

Are cover crops not needed during the winter for high tunnels? I was going to put in crimson clover and it recommends to add it like 4-6 weeks before the first frost, what are your recommendations

[@uknowvideos]

Greetings Salina,
Cover crops can fit into the crop rotation of a high tunnel depending on how you are using your building.
Clover and harry vetch can be excellent options for a cover crop if you need a nitrogen source. Good options for organic producers. However, do not vetch go to seed or you will have a very weedy high tunnel
Rye is a great cover crop for collecting and holding onto nutrients and providing wind protection. Not terribly essential inside a high tunnel.
Mustards are excellent for helping to manage soil diseases. Great choice when growing tomatoes on tomatoes each year.
Radishes are an excellent choice for dealing with compaction. There are not a lot of options for managing compaction in a high tunnel so this is something I strongly suggest considering.
Timing of establishment in a high tunnel is not super critical. Whenever you are done with your market crop get your cover crop planted. Keep the building watered during the winter and the cover crop will grow.

For more information, see:
Short Duration Cover Crops for Vegetable Production Systems
store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14481
Cover Crops in Vegetable Production Systems
store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14318
Midwest Cover Crops Field Guide
store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14198

Thanks for watching our videos!

[@salinabrown281]

UKNOW How-to Videos thank you so much for your response! Very informative! Based on your suggestions I probably should do rye if I decide to do a cover crop, I also just got this high tunnel and the ph is a 6.5, I noticed you mentioned that the timing of establishment is not super critical so do you believe I should just hold off since the ph level is good? I am also in zone 8a, not sure if that helps your judgment lol

[@uknowvideos]

@@salinabrown281 Hi Salina,
Knowing you are Zone 8a does help. Rye is a cool season crop…does well at 40 to 50 degrees F. Tolerates warmer temps though. If you have a period of time where you are not using your tunnel…a cover crop is a good idea as it keeps the soil biologically active.
I would suggest reaching out to your local extension or farm organization (such as Farmers Union) for input on cover crops as there are a lot of regional differences between where I am and where you are. Alternatively, being in 8a, shouldn’t you be able to get some cool season crops growing there in your tunnel such as greens or brassica’s? If you can be planting cash crops…I would go that route.