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Closed Captioning: Have you read through Chapter 10, season extension and winterization yet? If not, page 313 is a quick read. So why do I use low tunnels? Well, for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, Low tunnels can be used to create a mini-greenhouse to help extend the season in the fall or warm up the beds early in the spring. As I live in Zone 6, the growing season can feel short. Gaining a few weeks at each end of the growing season can make a big impact. Let’s take a look at the low tunnel system in more detail. I like to use PEX piping. PEX is a flexible type of plumbing piping used in homes for hot and cold water. PEX is much more flexible than ABS and PVC. The length you need to cut is totally dependent on how tall you want your tunnels to be. Once you have cut the PEX piping to the desired length, you will need to attach it to your raised bed. I use C clips that can either be hammered or secured using a screw. Spacing the hoops is critical. Too far apart and your cover may droop. Too close is overkill and wasteful. I find that installing the hoops 2 feet apart does the job. Once the hoops are in place, it’s time to deploy the plastic sheeting. I use large binder clips to secure the sheeting in place, making sure to tuck the plastic in and around the bed to help seal in the air. As the sun shines, it will warm up the air inside the tunnel. In the spring, this will help warm up the soil and make it workable sooner than usual. In the fall, this will help your crops survive frosts or protect them from snow. Throughout the growing season, the cover can be switched up as needed. Shade cloth can be used to protect sensitive crops. Insect netting can be used to fend off pests. There’s some experimenting needed with these setups so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it right the first time. It’s part art part science. Good luck.
