Tunnel your way to success

摘要

High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, have exploded on the scene, growing from a few acres the past decade to more than 1,500 acres. The Quonset-hut-like structures are sometimes referred to as "poorman's greenhouses" and consist of a frame—typically metal pipes—over which plastic sheets have been stretched. Blueberries, strawberries and peaches are some of the crops grown in high tunnels, and some growers have expanded into tomatoes, peppers, miniature peppers, okra, cauliflower and melons. Squash that, in the past, had to be imported during December through February now can be produced in tunnels, enabling growers to get top dollar, says Dan Cantliffe, county Extension director for the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in St. Johns County.