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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Robin Follette" <list AT seasonseatingsfarm.com>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels
- Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:34:59 -0400
I have three. The sturdiest is a Rimol Northpoint. If I
were going to add another tunnel it would be from Rimol. I clean the snow off
the two sunny sides so that I don't have igloos that are too dark for plants to
grow. I don't worry about it collapsing. My 38 pound overly-enthusiastic
puppy climbed up the crusty snow to the peak about a month ago in an attempt to
find a way in. No problems with snow load AND a puppy.
If you have two people and a rope you can make a
quick sweep during a storm to help ease the weight. Put one person on each side,
throw the rope over and walk the length of the tunnel. It will loosen the snow
so that the wind blows it off or it slides down.
If you can spend the money up front to get the strength
you need you'll appreciate the peace of mind and dependability. I believe it's
less expensive in the long run when you live in a high-snow area. I'm in
northeastern Maine (still have 6" of solid pack on the ground).
>>We just got high-tunnel funding through EQIP and
are looking at a 30 X 96 Rolling Thunder. I'd love to hear anyone's
experience with these houses.
I have Rolling Thunder envy. I don't *need* another tunnel
but I *want* a Rolling Thunder. Eliot Coleman sketched his rotation plan in the
dirt (still had snow on the ground) for me two or three years ago. It was
extremely helpful to see it even in the dirt. He was going to be able to
cover 6,000 sq ft over the course of a year with a 1,000 sq ft tunnel. I've
considered selling my Quonset hut style tunnel so that I have room for a Rolling
Thunder. If EQUIP allows it, I'd absolutely choose this
tunnel.
>>Also- I've heard that simply cleaning the
sidewalls with a bucket loader, plow, or blower is sufficient, as it will let
the roof slide, and you wont' need to shovel or rake the roof. Any
thoughts?
We use a snow blower to clear a 3-4' strip along the sides
of the tunnels. I'm in a high snow area and I do use the tunnels in the winter
so they need to be cleared. It's not quite that simple here. The snow doesn't
usually slide without my help. I work alone in the winter so a rope doesn't work
for me on regular after-storm clean up. I've started carefully using a roof
rake. That gets it going from the top down and works well most of the
time. There are three steps to what we do: Snow blow the new snow if
there's more than 6". Rake the roof. Snow blow again. We leave at least a foot
of snow a foot or two up the side wall as insulation. This does block some sun
but it blocks it mostly where the ground freezes anyway.
Robin Robin Follette
Lancaster News (http://lancasterfarming.com) Columnist & Feature writer Maine Nature News ( http://mainenature.org) Editor/Publisher Seasons Eatings Farm (http://seasonseatingsfarm.wordpress.com) Talmadge ME Hi
there, During the last snow storm a few
weeks ago we lost two 30 x 80 High Tunnels. Such a devastating blow to our
business! We absolutely have to replace one of them this year in order to
somewhat function. I am wondering for those of you who live in high snow
and high wind areas, where you purchased your high tunnels. We were so
diligent to clean the snow off the tops and sides throughout each snow storm,
but the last storm was heavy wet snow that came overnight. Thanks ahead
for any help you can be. Kathy
Somers Somers Family
Farm visit us on www.facebook.com/somersfamilyfarmstand |
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels
, (continued)
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, somersfarm, 03/16/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
William H Shoemaker, 03/16/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Vern and Amy, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels/snow removal, Jay Sleichter, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, frank ventura, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, MAsteveINE, 03/16/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Vern and Amy, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, Richard Robinson, 03/16/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Diana Jancek, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, Beth Spaugh, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, Richard Sherrington, 03/16/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Robin Follette, 03/17/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Richard Robinson, 03/17/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, Sue Wells, 03/17/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, somersfarm, 03/17/2011
-
Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels,
Richard Robinson, 03/17/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] high Tunnels, KAKerby, 03/16/2011
- Re: [Market-farming] High Tunnels, Keith Morris, 03/16/2011
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