Contents

Authors
Frequently asked questions about high tunnels

in collaboration with

Constructing a high tunnel

David Coltrain
Kansas State University

Producing tomatoes in a high tunnel

Jay Chism, James Quinn, and Andrew Read

University of Missouri-Columbia

High tunnel temperature management

13

Cropping systems for tomatoes in high tunnels

15

MU Extension and Agricultural Information

Dale Langford, editor
Dennis Murphy, illustrator

High tunnel tomato pest management

17

Marketing & economics of high tunnel tomatoes

21

On the World Wide Web

Appendix: Sources of supply

Lewis W. Jett, Department of Horticulture, University of

Missouri-Columbia

Editorial staff

Find this and other MU Extension publications on the

World Wide Web at
http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/manuals/m00169.htm

Drip irrigation supplies

26

Tomato seed

26

High tunnels

27

Photographs

Biological pest controls

27

Except where noted, all photographs are by Lewis W. Jett.

Acknowledgments
Research reported in this publication was funded in part
by a grant from the Initiative for Future Agriculture and
Food Systems (IFAFS), U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Thanks are due to Mr. Tim Reinbott, supervisor of the
University of Missouri Bradford Research and Extension
Center for his assistance with this research.
College of
Agriculture
Food and
Natural
Resources

Copyright 2004 by the University of Missouri

Board of Curators

For further information, address questions to

Dr. Lewis W. Jett
Extension State Vegetable Crops Specialist
Department of Horticulture
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
E-mail: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About High Tunnels

What is a high tunnel?

A high tunnel is a solar-heated, plasticcovered greenhouse with no electrical or automated ventilation. It can be used to extend the
crop production season for many horticultural
crops. Crops that are produced within high tunnels are grown in the ground with drip
irrigation.

Where can I purchase a high tunnel?

There are several manufacturers of high
tunnels. See the Appendix for a list of high tunnel manufacturers.

How much does a high tunnel cost?

High tunnels can be built at a cost of about
$0.75 to $1.50 per square foot. This includes
the frame structure and the plastic cover. As a
rule of thumb, you should expect to pay at least
an additional 25 percent for end wall lumber,
site preparation, water lines and other accessories.

What are the typical dimensions of a

high tunnel?

ary unit, you will need to amend the soil each

season or year with compost or other organic
sources to maintain soil quality and fertility.

When can I plant vegetables in a high

tunnel?
Placing a high tunnel on your farm is
roughly equivalent to raising the average annual air temperatures in your area by 1015
degrees F. Therefore, you can schedule planting based on field planting dates in the USDA
hardiness zone directly south of your farm. See
inside back cover for zone map.

Should I grow vegetables in a

greenhouse or a high tunnel?
Input costs for greenhouse vegetable production are significantly higher than those for
high tunnel vegetable production. Greenhouse
establishment costs approximate $6 per square
foot, almost five times the cost of a high tunnel.

Do I need a building permit for my

high tunnel?

Dimensions of a commercial high tunnel

range from 10 to 30 feet wide by 9 to 12 feet
high by 96 to 100 feet long.

Generally speaking, high tunnels are considered to be nonpermanent structures.

However, you may need to check with your
local zoning regulations.

Where should I place a high tunnel on

my farm?

What is the optimal orientation for a

high tunnel?

A high tunnel should be placed on a level,

well-drained, accessible site. High tunnels can
be moveable, but if you wish to have a station-

When orienting a high tunnel, in contrast

to a greenhouse, sunlight is less important than
good ventilation. A high tunnel should be ori-

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

ented in a direction that is perpendicular to the

prevailing winds on your farm. Remember, all
ventilation is manual, so you depend on the
wind to ventilate your house.
Generally, for locations south of 40 degrees
north latitude (central Illinois, northern
Missouri, southern Nebraska), high tunnels
should be oriented northsouth. This orientation maximizes light interception and is perpendicular to the prevailing westerly winds.

Should I use a single or double layer of

plastic for my high tunnel?
A double layer of plastic will almost double
the insulation properties of the high tunnel.
However, adding another layer of plastic
reduces light intensity. An inflation fan will be
needed to blow air into the area between the
two layers to reduce moisture buildup and
increase the insulation properties of the cover.
The outer layer of plastic is 6 mil and the inner
layer is typically 4 mil.

Can a high tunnel be mobile?

Yes. One of the primary objectives of a high
tunnel is to lengthen the harvest period.
Movable high tunnels may be relocated to
existing plots of cropland to accelerate early
growth or extend the growing season for that
crop. However, they are less airtight than stationary high tunnels. Consult Eliot Colemans
Winter Harvest Manual for additional information on design of movable high tunnels.

Other choices include peppers, summer squash,

cucumbers, melons, herbs, eggplant, and snap
or pole beans.

What are some examples of cropping

patterns for a high tunnel?
At least two crops per year can be produced
using a high tunnel. In central Missouri, for
example, tomatoes can be planted as early as
March within a high tunnel, and harvest can
begin in mid-June. Depending on the variety
and type of tomato chosen, harvest can continue through July. At this point, the tomatoes
can be removed, the soil fertilized and tilled,
and a second crop of peppers, cucumbers or
beans can be established for fall harvest. If you
wish to keep tomatoes in the high tunnel,
spring-planted tomatoes will bear fruit through
October in Missouri. A cool-season vegetable
can be planted in late November and then be
either harvested or overwintered in the high
tunnel.

How are tomatoes grown within a

high tunnel?

What type of plastic is used to cover a

high tunnel?

Tomatoes are grown on raised beds with

organic or plastic mulch. The raised bed (at
least 6 inches high) will facilitate drainage and
keep the root system warmer. Plastic mulch
(black, clear, or infrared-transmitting) will also
increase soil temperatures. Drip irrigation is
used to water and fertilize the tomatoes
through the growing season. Row covers, a
lightweight fabric, must be used to provide
early frost protection. The tomatoes can be
either staked or caged.

Six-mil, four-year, greenhouse-grade polyethylene is a suitable material for covering a

high tunnel.

How many tomatoes can I plant in a

20' x 96' high tunnel?

How high should the sidewalls be for a

high tunnel?

The optimal spacing for tomatoes in a high

tunnel is 6 square feet per plant. Therefore,
approximately 300 plants can be planted per
house.

A sidewall 5 feet high is superior to a 3-foot

sidewall with respect to air circulation. For
tomatoes, a sidewall at least 5 feet high will permit air to move above the crop canopy.

What warm-season vegetables can be

produced in a high tunnel?
Warm-season vegetables are sensitive to
frost. Many types of vegetables can be grown
successfully in a high tunnel. Many growers
have used high tunnels for early tomatoes.

Is pollination of tomatoes adversely

affected by the high tunnel?
No. Tomatoes are self-pollinated. Research
at the University of Missouri has shown no pollination problems with tomatoes in a high tunnel. Air movement, which reduces humidity
and vibrates the flower, is important for good
pollination. If you have to keep the vents closed
for an extended period, you may want to shake
University of Missouri Extension

Frequently Asked Questions

the cages or stakes to facilitate pollination. If

you are using row covers, they should be
removed when the plants are flowering and the
sidewalls are rolled up. If temperatures are projected to fall to 55 degrees F or less, the row
covers should remain on the plants. High sidewalls improve cross-ventilation within the high
tunnel.

What is an average yield for high

tunnel tomatoes?
High tunnel tomatoes average about 1012
pounds of tomatoes per plant over a four-week
harvest period (mid-June to mid-July). The
percentage of unmarketable fruit is much lower
for high tunnel tomatoes than for field
tomatoes.

Do I need to spray tomatoes in a high

tunnel for disease and insect control?
High tunnels provide a protected environment for crop growth. However, this does not
mean that you will not have any harmful diseases or insects. Protecting the crop from rain
will significantly reduce disease problems.
However, you should scout your crop for any
sign of disease. Pay close attention to the rows
nearest the baseboards or doors. Insects
encountered on tomatoes in the Universitiy of
Missouri high tunnel trials include aphids
(Myzus persicae), hornworms (Protoparce quinquemaculata) and fruitworms (Helicoverpa zea).
Many of these insects can be controlled by biological methods (beneficial insects) or using
biological insecticides (Bt insecticides) or by
exclusion (closing vents at night).

Can I use pesticides within a high tunnel?

Some pesticides can be used within a high
tunnel, but growers must read the label specifically for each crop. Current regulations maintain that when high tunnel sidewall vents are
rolled up, the high tunnel may be treated as a
field crop. Opening just the end walls is not sufficient for applying pesticides within a high
tunnel. When the sides are down, the high tunnel should be treated as a greenhouse. Keep the
sidewall vents open for the length of the reentry
interval (REI).

Are certain tomato cultivars best

suited for high tunnel production?
Any field or garden tomato will perform
well in a high tunnel. If the objective is to produce early tomatoes, the best choice would be a
hybrid, determinate cultivar that concentrates
its fruit-set within a narrow window (46
weeks). Indeterminate types will perform well
in a high tunnel. However, these types of tomatoes continue to set fruit through the summer
and fall and will not yield a large quantity of
fruit per harvest. Indeterminate tomatoes are
well suited for late summer and fall tomatoes.

Can high-bicarbonate irrigation water

be a problem for high tunnel tomatoes?
Using irrigation water that is high in calcium and magnesium can increase the pH of the
soil over time and cause nutrient imbalances.
Test the water for pH and bicarbonate levels.
Using sulfur fertilizers or injecting acids into
irrigation water can neutralize the bicarbonates.

For more information about high tunnels

Coleman, Eliot. 1998. The Winter Harvest Manual. (Four Season Farm, 609 Weir Cove Road,
Harborside, ME 04642)
www.hightunnels.org
Web site for the Central Great Plains High Tunnel Collaborative Project
http://plasticulture.cas.psu.edu
Pennsylvania State University Web site for high tunnel horticulture research
http://www.noble.org
Noble Foundation high tunnel research projects

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Constructing a High Tunnel

High tunnels are solar-heated, plasticcovered structures that provide a protected
environment for high-value crops. These protective structures consist of a series of evenly
spaced bows that provide structural support for
the polyethylene covering. Most commercial
units are available in widths ranging from 14 to
30 feet, and may vary from 48 to 96 feet long.
At the University of Missouri, a Polar high
tunnel kit was purchased from Stuppy
Greenhouse Manufacturing, Inc. (Kansas City,
Mo.). The dimensions of this structure are 20
feet wide by 12 feet high with bows spaced four
feet apart and 5-foot high sidewalls (Figure 1).
This structure can be up to 100 feet long.

Selecting the site

The first step in constructing a high tunnel
is site selection. The site should be relatively
level to reduce the cost of grading. If possible,
select a site that has deep, well-drained loam or

Figure 1. High tunnel components include sidewall, end wall, bows and purlin.

sandy loam soil. Deep soil facilitates the formation of raised beds; tomatoes have a large root
volume requiring deep, well-drained soils. Do
not place the high tunnel in a frost pocket
where either air or water drainage is a problem.
Make site adjustments to allow for surface
water runoff. Drainage pipe can be buried
around the perimeter of each high tunnel to
prevent water from seeping into the structure.
Select a parcel of land that is larger than what is
immediately needed to allow for expansion if
necessary. Additional areas may also be needed
to accommodate service or storage buildings.
Care should be taken to avoid locations where
trees or buildings may cast shadows on the
solar-heated structures.
High tunnels should be oriented to facilitate good air movement across the structure.
For maximum light interception, high tunnels
above 40 degrees north latitude (northern
Missouri) should be oriented eastwest. For
locations below that line, northsouth is the
optimum orientation. The deciding factor
should be prevailing wind direction on your
farm. The long axis of the high tunnel should
be perpendicular to prevailing winds during
spring and summer. Cold, winter winds from
the northwest should contact the end wall.
Windbreaks on the north sides of high tunnels
may be applicable in some areas.
Access to the high tunnel is also important
when considering location. Because high tunnels require manual labor to vent, the structures
should be in a convenient location to minimize
labor cost.

Construction
Side posts
at 4- or 6-foot spacing

Guide strings after

moving out half the diameter
of the column

Diagonal measure

Batten boards
Figure 2. Design layout for high tunnel. (Source: Nagengast, 2003).

Begin constructing your high tunnel by

positioning and squaring the four corner posts.
Use a hand-held level to make sure the posts
are set vertically in the ground. To check for a
square layout of the corner posts, measure each
diagonal. The lengths of the two diagonals
should be within half an inch of each other.
Use the Pythagorean theorem to set the
high tunnel square: the square of the diagonal
should equal to the sum of the squares of the
two sides of the high tunnel. The diagonal of a
20' x 96' high tunnel is 98.06 feet. Measuring
University of Missouri Extension

Constructing a High Tunnel

this distance for both diagonals will ensure that

your corner posts are set 90 degrees to each
other. You may wish to cement the corner posts
to add structural integrity to the high tunnel.
Set all posts to a depth of 24 inches. Metal posts
can be driven into the ground by using a metal
fence post driver or by placing a trailer hitch
ball on top of the post to protect the post ends
and striking the ball with a heavy hammer.
Run a string line from one corner post
down the long axis of the tunnel to the corner
post on the other end, drive the remaining side
posts in the ground to the proper depth (Figure
2). The top of each post should be the same distance from the string line to ensure the proper
depth and to keep the bows level.

Installing the bows

Most manufactured high tunnel bows are
delivered in two or three pieces. Stuppys
Polar unit is delivered in three sections.
Assemble a bow by joining two bow sections
with a ridge connecter to form an arch. Attach
the complete bows to the side posts. At least two
people are needed to insert the bows into the
side posts. After the bows are in place, the center purlin can be attached to each bow with a
purlin bracket (Figure 3). The center purlin sits
on top of the bows in the Stuppy Polar design,
but some manufacturers purlins will be
attached under the high tunnel bows. Additional
purlins may be added to give extra stability to
the high tunnel. Depending on the width of the

Figure 3. A purlin bracket (left) is used to connect the

two bow sections. The center purlin of the Stuppy
Polar Cub design (right) sits on top of the bows .

Figure 4. Purlins can number from one to four on a

high tunnel.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

structure, there may be

one to four purlins per
tunnel (Figure 4).

Baseboard and hip

board installation
Baseboards fastened
to the support posts
strengthen the founda- Figure 5. Baseboard and hip board attached to side
tion of the high tunnel. posts.
A 2" x 6" pressure-treated board makes a good
baseboard for most
applications. Use post or
conduit clamps to attach
the baseboard to the
side posts (Figure 5).
Hip boards add
strength to the tunnel
and serve as a top point Figure 6. Plastic attached to hip board.
for rolling up the sidewalls. Hip boards should be located 5 feet above
the baseboards for maximum ventilation.
Attach the hip board in the same manner as the
baseboard. Then attach a 1" x 3" board along
the top of the hip board. This will serve as the
attachment point for the polyethylene covering. Pull the polyethylene over the 1" x 3"
board and then install another 1" x 3" board to
sandwich the plastic film between the two
boards (Figure 6).

End wall construction

End wall designs are numerous (Figure 7).
University of Missouri Research High Tunnels
are framed so that end wall panels can be
removed. Removable end walls allow larger
equipment, such as utility tractors, to be operated inside the tunnel (Figure 8). Four 8' x 8'
panels are installed on each tunnel. It is also
necessary to construct a storage rack near the
tunnel locations to allow for easy storage of the

Figure 7. Various end wall designs used on commercial high tunnels.

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Figure 8. End wall panels are held in place by modified angle-iron brackets.

panels when they are

removed for the summer months (Figure 9).
Attached to each panel
are two handles that
make the panels easier
to lift. Each panel is
held in place by four
modified
angle-iron
gate latches (Figure 8).
The edge of the
angle iron attached to
the end wall framing
was ground down to
make the panels easier
to remove.

Covering the high

tunnel

Plastic films for

covering high tunnels
should be 6-mil greenhouse-grade plastic with
UV light resistance.
Figure 9. End wall panels can be removed (left) and
Greenhouse-grade
stored (right) during the summer.
polyethylene films usually carry a manufacturers guaranteed life span
of three or four years under normal conditions.
Covering the high tunnel should be
attempted only when there is little or no wind.
Before covering the high tunnel, rough edges
on the structure should be taped or smoothed
to prevent tearing of the plastic film. Unroll the
plastic along one side of the structure and
unfold it. For a 20-foot-wide high tunnel, you
will need a piece of plastic at least 32 feet wide.
Try not to let excessive moisture from rainfall
or morning dew settle on the film before installation. Tie a rope to one corner of the plastic
and at 20-foot intervals down the sidewall edge.
With the plastic wrapped around a tennis ball,
a rope can be attached to pull it slowly over the
frame. The plastic is easier to handle and pull
over the bows when it is dry. Once the film is
pulled over the structure, make sure it is square
by checking to see that all creases run in a
straight line. Attach the film to the frame in
four or five places to secure it temporarily while
it is being permanently attached. Attach the

plastic to the 2" x 6" hip

board with the 1" x 3"
boards. The cover
should come over the
top of the upper 1" x 3"
board and under the
other board as previously described. Keep the Figure 10. Wiggle (zigzag)
plastic tight as you wire is used to secure the
plastic to the frame.
secure the covering.
During end wall
construction, attach aluminum channel lock on
top of the two end wall bows. This channel
allows the plastic covering to be attached to the
bows by using a 13-gauge, high tensile wire
called wiggle wire, which locks the polyethylene in place (Figure 10).
Attach the sidewall plastic to a 34"-diameter
PVC pipe to allow the sidewalls to be rolled up
(Figure 11). Attach the sidewall plastic to the
roll-up pipe with a second PVC pipe that has
been ripped in half and screwed to the roll-up
pipe.

Handles for the roll-up sidewalls

Figure 11 shows the roll-up sidewall handle
design. The PVC pipe handle is easily moved to
roll the sidewalls up and down or lock the sidewalls in place. Always roll up the sidewalls in a
direction that prevents water from accumulating in the roll.

Figure 11. A 34-inch PVC t-handle (left) rolls the sidewall vents up (open) or down (closed).

For further information

Nagengast, D. 2003. Siting and building the
hoophouse. In: The Hoophouse Handbook
(L. Byczynski ed.) Fairplain Publications,
Lawrence, Kan.

University of Missouri Extension

Producing Tomatoes in a High Tunnel

Producing Tomatoes in a High Tunnel

Many vegetable crops can be successfully
grown in a high tunnel. Tomatoes are particularly well adapted to production within a high
tunnel because tomatoes can be trained to grow
vertically by trellising or staking. Early-season
tomatoes also reward growers with premium
prices because of the difficulty of consistently
harvesting field tomatoes before July in the
central Great Plains.

Production inputs
A permanent high tunnel should be placed
on fertile, unshaded, well-drained soils with a
pH in the range of 6.07.0. Because high tunnels are manually vented, they should be placed
in an accessible location. The soil should be
tilled to a depth of 68 inches, and nutrients
should be applied based on a recent soil test.
Tomatoes should be established on a raised bed.
Raised beds will significantly enhance
tomato rooting by increasing soil warming,
drainage and volume. Tomatoes are a relatively
deep-rooted vegetable. An ideal raised bed is
about 810 inches high and 3036 inches wide
at the top. Typically, a 20' x 96' high tunnel will
accommodate five rows of tomatoes. Raised
beds can be made with power tillers or compact
bed shapers attached to small tractors. After the
raised beds are formed, fertilizer, drip tape and
plastic mulch can be applied (Figure 12).
Mulch
For early tomato production, black, clear
or IRT (infrared transmitting) mulch can be
applied to increase soil temperatures and to
reduce weed emergence and soil evaporation.
For maximum effectiveness, black plastic mulch
should be in good contact with the surface of
the bed for effective transfer of heat. Embossed
plastic mulch will fit tightly over the bed. Clear
plastic will increase soil temperatures significantly more than black plastic, but weeds will
emerge under the clear film (Table 1). White
plastic (white on black or white) will significantly lower soil temperatures and can be used
for high tunnel tomato production in late summer or fall.
Organic mulches such as straw, hay or
compost can be used for high tunnel tomatoes.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Table 1. Plastic mulch effects on soil temperature.

Mulch type

Soil temperature increase

(+) or decrease () (F)

Black

+5

Clear

+814

Infrared transmitting (IRT)

+510

White

-2

Note: Soil temperature at the 2-inch depth.

Source: Penn State University Center for Plasticulture
and University of Missouri.

Organic mulches create a favorable environment for many beneficial insects while increasing organic matter. However, some organic
mulches (straw or hay) can significantly lower
soil temperature and thus would not be effective for warming the soil in the spring.
Compost (being dark colored) can increase soil
temperatures, but not as effectively as black
plastic mulch. Organic mulches can be applied
when soil temperatures have increased.
Irrigation
Because the high tunnel excludes natural
rainfall, irrigation must be provided. Drip irrigation for tomatoes significantly improves marketable yield and overall quality. A uniform
application of water reduces fruit cracking and
other physiological problems such as blossom
end rot. The drip tape (a 34-inch small, collapsible tube) should be buried slightly below the
soil surface 23 inches to the side of the plant
with the drippers on the top. Eight- or 10-mil
tape is acceptable with drippers spaced 412
inches apart. A drip system operates at 815 psi
pressure. (See the Appendix for a list of regional drip irrigation suppliers).
Tomatoes use a large volume of water, especially during fruit sizing. The fruit is about 95
percent water. From fruit set to harvest, 1.5-3
quarts of water per plant may be needed each day.
Soil moisture can be monitored with a tensiometer, a device that measures soil moisture
tension in centibars (cb). The drier the soil, the
higher the centibar reading from the tensiometer. Place the tensiometer in the center of each
raised bed. When 50 percent of the available
soil water is depleted, irrigation should occur
(see Table 2).

Figure 12. Raised bed

with black plastic mulch
(1-mil, embossed). Drip
tape is placed under the
plastic mulch.

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Table 2. Using a tensiometer to monitor soil moisture and irrigate tomatoes.

Soil texture

Soil tension (cb)

Sand, loamy sand

Soil moisture status

510

Sandy loam, loam, silt loam

Soil at field capacity. Irrigation is not

required.

Clay loam, clay

2040

Sand, loamy sand

2040

Sandy loam, loam, silt loam

4060

Clay loam, clay

50100

Irrigate tomatoes (50% of soil water

is depleted). Provide approximately
2 quarts per plant.

An additional advantage of drip irrigation

in a high tunnel is the ability to inject watersoluble nutrients through the drip line as the
plant needs them. Generally, large quantities of
phosphorus and potassium should not be
applied through the drip system. Rather, based
on a recent soil test, all the needed phosphorus
and most of the potassium can be applied at
planting or between cropping cycles within a
high tunnel. Additional potassium can be
applied during harvest. About 4050 percent of
the total nitrogen requirements for tomatoes
can be applied before planting, and the balance
can be applied through the drip system over the
course of the growing season. Nitrogen
requirements for tomatoes depend on the soil
quality (i.e., organic matter) and previous cropping history. Generally, for each 1 percent
organic matter content of your soil, you can
assume that there are 20 pounds of residual
nitrogen per acre. Therefore, if you have
organic matter levels greater than 3 percent, no
Table 3. Nitrogen rates for several granular commercial fertilizer analyses (preplant).
N required
(lb per acre)
50

N per 1,000 ft2

(oz)
18

10-10-10
(oz/1,000 ft2)
184

13-13-13
(oz/1,000 ft2)
141

20-20-20
(oz/1,000 ft2)
92

60

22

220

170

110

75

28

275

212

138

100

37

367

283

184

125

46

459

353

230

Table 4. Amount of several water-soluble fertilizers required to supply nitrogen

(fertigation).
N required
(lb/acre)
2

N/1,000 ft2 (oz)

1

15.5-0-0
(oz/1,000 ft2)
5

34-0-0
(oz/1,000 ft2)
2

20-20-20
(oz/1,000 ft2)
4

10

14

11

19

15

10
4
24
Notes: Calcium nitrate Ammonium nitrate

11

19

preplant nitrogen is necessary. However, if your

soil organic matter is less than 3 percent, and
you have not been supplementing the soil with
organic residues, you should apply the equivalent of 1.4 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000
square feet (equivalent to 60 pounds per acre) at
or before transplanting (Table 3). Additional
nitrogen can be applied by the drip system at a
weekly rate of 810 pounds per acre starting
two weeks after transplanting. For example,
assume a 20' x 96' (1,920 ft2) high tunnel has
five rows of tomatoes spaced 18" x 48". The
total plant population in the high tunnel is 320
plants. Providing 810 pounds of nitrogen per
acre is equivalent to applying 1924 ounces of
calcium nitrate (15.5N-0-0-19Ca) per 1,000
square feet (Table 4). A 20' x 90' high tunnel
containing 320 plants require 3646 ounces of
calcium nitrate per week.
Taking tissue samples periodically through
the growing season may be useful. Randomly
select 1012 plants per house. Break the fifth or
sixth limb from the top of the plant and place
the entire limb in a brown paper bag.
Preferably dry the sample before sending to a
diagnostic lab for analysis.
Row covers
Row covers are an important component of
successful high tunnel tomato production. Row
covers
are
lightweight,
spun-bonded
polypropylene blankets that are supported
loosely over the crop row or canopy. In the
field, a light to medium-weight (0.50.9 oz/yd2)
row cover will increase air temperature around
the crop by 26 degrees F, while protecting the
crop from adverse weather and insect injury.
Using row covers in a high tunnel can significantly increase the average daily temperature.
For early tomato production, row covers can be
two to three times more effective in a tunnel
than they are in the field. A medium-weight
(single or double layer) row cover should be
placed over the plants after transplanting in
March. Do not keep row covers on the tomatoes too long. During flowering, you will need
to remove the covers to ensure adequate pollination. If temperatures become cold during
flowering, the row covers can be reapplied.
In contrast to field conditions, wind currents do not remove trapped thermal energy
under the row cover within a high tunnel, and
the row cover acts as an insulating layer over
University of Missouri Extension

Producing Tomatoes in a High Tunnel

the plant. Another option is the use of plastic

low tunnels that act as mini-greenhouses (1824" high) with a single or double layer of plastic (1-mil). Low tunnels can significantly
increase air temperatures but must be vented to
prevent excessively high temperatures.
Row covers can be kept on the plants from
the time of transplanting (mid to late March)
until the appearance of the first flower cluster.
At this point, they can be removed and kept in
reserve in the event of freezing temperatures. If
the sidewall vents are rolled up (i.e., ambient
temperatures are warmer than 60 degrees) the
row covers can be removed at any time. Row
covers should be kept on tomato plants if the
night temperatures fall below 50 degrees.

Tomato plant characteristics

Open
vent

am

am
2

12

Close
vent

am
.
am
.
8
am
10 .
am
12 .
pm
.
2
pm
.
4
pm
.
6
pm
.
8
pm
.
10
pm
.

120
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
.

Temp (F)

The tomato is a warm-season vegetable

crop that is sensitive to frost and will be killed
by freezing temperatures. Tomato plants have
either a determinate or an indeterminate
growth habit. Determinate tomato vines produce side shoots that terminate in a flower cluster, and the plant reaches a height of 34 feet.
Therefore, yield is concentrated over a 4- to 6week period. Indeterminate tomato plants continue to produce additional vines and flower
clusters throughout the growing season and
may reach 57 feet in height.
Tomato plants do not need a specific day
length to flower. The flowers are self-pollinated, but physical vibration of the flower by shaking the plant, wind movement, or insect pollination will promote pollination. The optimum
temperatures for pollination are 6875 degrees
F at night and 6090 degrees during the day. At

Time
Outside

High tunnel

Figure 13. Daily temperature fluctuations in an

unvented (single plastic layer) high tunnel, Columbia,
Mo. (3/27/02).
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

prolonged temperatures below 55 degrees or

above 90 degrees, flowers can drop from the
plant. High humidity (higher than 80%) can
also adversely affect pollination, producing catfaced (misshapen) fruit. The period between
flowering and harvest is about 45 days for most
tomato cultivars.
Because temperature and humidity affect
tomato pollination, yield and fruit quality, the
high tunnel environment should be monitored
carefully. In early spring, the period of venting
is usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If left
unvented, a high tunnel can reach extremely
high temperatures (Figure 13). A 60-degree day
can produce 100-degree temperatures within
the high tunnel. The amount of venting
required depends on prevailing winds and sunlight intensity. The goal should be to keep daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees
and relative humidity below 80 percent. If there
is a forecast of frost, close the vents in midafternoon and place row covers on the plants.

High tunnel tomato culture

Producing transplants
In a high tunnel, tomatoes are usually established by transplants. The critical first step in
transplant production is to purchase quality seed
of a cultivar that possesses characteristics you
prefer. One ounce of tomato seed contains
6,00012,000 seeds. (See the Appendix for a list
of tomato seed suppliers.) The optimum germination temperature for tomato seed is 75
degrees F, and the optimum temperature range
for growth of the transplant is 6070 degrees.
Seeds should be sown in a germination flat or
50- to 72-cell tray 5-7 weeks before you anticipate transplanting. Container size is important
for early tomato production. Research has
revealed that the container for a tomato seedling
should be at least 2.25 inches in diameter. For
example, if the seed is sown in a 72-cell tray, the
seedlings can be replanted in a 606 Compack
(2.25" x 2" cell) flat beginning at the two-trueleaf stage. Low light or excessive watering,
nitrogen or temperature will cause excessive
leggy growth. Transplants should be fertilized
with 100200 ppm of nitrogen per watering.
For example, approximately 1 pound of 20-2020 can be dissolved in 100 gallons of water for a
fertilizer source. A good tomato transplant
should be stocky. Tomato transplants can be

Note:
1 oz/gallon = 75 ppm
To determine the parts
per million (ppm) of a
specific fertilizer nutrient, multiply the percentage of the nutrient
by 75. The product will
be ppm of the nutrient
per ounce of the fertilizer dissolved in 100
gallons of water.
For example, if you
wish to prepare a 200
ppm nitrogen solution
of 20-20-20,
0.20(75) = 15. Thus,
in 1 ounce of 20-20-20
(dissolved in 100 gallons of water), there
are 15 ppm of nitrogen.
To make a 200 ppm
solution, (200 ppm 4
15 ppm/oz) 13.3
ounces of 20-20-20 will
be needed.

10

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

conditioned or hardened off before transplanting. Hardening of tomato plants enables

the plants to survive the shock of transplanting
within the high tunnel in early spring. Plants
that are not properly hardened will be slow to
start growth after transplanting. Hardening of
tomato transplants can be accomplished by taking plants from the greenhouse about 10 days
before transplanting and exposing them to outside temperatures (no cooler than 55 degrees)
and wind for a few hours each day.
Transplanting
Tomato plants can be transplanted when
soil temperatures reach 60 degrees F at a depth
of 2 inches. A starter solution of fertilizer (e.g.,
9-45-15) should be used to promote root development. Three pounds of the dry material is
mixed per 50 gallons of water and one-half pint
is applied to each plant. For early tomato production, row covers, raised beds, drip irrigation
and plastic mulch are essential. You may wish to
invest in portable backup heaters if you feel the
risk of a freeze is great.
A tomato plant in a high tunnel should
occupy 46 square feet of land. Early-yielding

String tool

Figure 14. Staking and stringing of tomato plants will improve fruit quality and
early marketable yield.

cultivars that do not produce a large vine can be

spaced closer than midseason cultivars or those
that tend to have vigorous vines.

Figure 15. Pruning

(suckering) tomato
plants accelerates early
harvest.

Training and pruning

Training tomatoes within a high tunnel is
very important. When tomato are staked, light
interception and disease tolerance are improved
and the plant is more likely to set early fruit,
and disease tolerance is improved. For a high

First flower
cluster

Leave this sucker

(below first flower
cluster).
Do not prune
higher on
the plant

Remove all other

suckers below

Figure 16. Remove all but one sucker below the first
flower cluster to achieve balance between vine and
fruit growth.

tunnel, one of the preferred ways to train tomatoes for early harvest is the stake-and-weave
system. Drive a 4852" x 1" square wooden
stake (or metal rebar) that is driven between
every other tomato plant (Figure 14). When the
tomato plants reach a height of 12 inches, the
first string can be applied. Nylon plastic twine
is the best source of string. Every 6 inches of
new growth will require a new string to provide
support for the tomato vine and fruit load.
Caging tomatoes is another option for training.
If you choose to trellis tomatoes from the roof
frame, make certain your high tunnel frame can
support the crop load. Otherwise, tensile wire
supported by metal posts can be used to trellis
the vines.
Pruning, the removal of suckers or axillary
shoots that grow between the leaf and the main
stem, will accelerate early harvest and improve
disease tolerance by enhancing air circulation
around the plant (Figure 15). While pruning
may be too labor intensive for field production,
tomatoes in a high tunnel should be pruned if
the objective is early harvest. Pruning will not
increase total marketable yield. The purpose of
pruning is to achieve a balance between vine
and fruit growth. Remove all suckers up to the
one below the first flower cluster, resulting in
two stems per plant (Figure 16). Prune when
the suckers are less than 4 inches long, and do
not prune the plants if they are wet. After pruning, you may wish to apply a labeled fungicide
to protect against disease outbreak.
See Table 5 for a guide to troubleshooting
problems with tomatoes in high tunnels.
University of Missouri Extension

Producing Tomatoes in a High Tunnel

11

Table 5. Troubleshooting tomato problems in a high tunnel.

Problem

Possible cause

Solution

Temperatures are either too cool or too warm.

Proper venting for temperature management

Flowers falling off plants

Thrips

See Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers

Flowers fuse together

Too cool.

Proper temperature management

Fruit catfaced or misshapen

Pollination disorder.

Humidity may be too high or temperature too low.

If the upper leaves experience cupping or

rolling, check for aphids. Aphids produce sticky
excrement that attracts flies and ants and is
colonized by a dark fungus.

Aphids can be controlled by using registered, labeled organic or

synthetic pesticides and releasing beneficial insects.

Some early-season cultivars roll or cup their

leaves when they have a heavy fruit load.

Genetics

Water stress (excess or deficiency)

Irrigation management

Temperatures are too high or low, or humidity

is excessive.

Temperature management. Do not keep row covers on plants too

long.

Flowers are not being vibrated enough for

pollination.

Roll up sidewalls if temperature permits. Shake tomato stakes to

promote pollen release. Use bumblebees.
Disease that is promoted by high humidity and cool, cloudy
weather. Vent high tunnel properly. Use labeled fungicides, and
increase air circulation around the fruit.
Bt insecticides should be applied every 814 days beginning at
flowering. If worms are visible, you may wish to use another
labeled pesticide.

Cupping or rolling of leaves

Poor fruit set

Fruit has gray mold on the

stem end

Gray mold (Botrytis) fungus

Border rows have fruit with

holes. Foliage feeding.

Worm feeding

Stem lesions cause the

plant to wilt.

Disease

Fruit fails to ripen

Temperature

Black spots on bottom of

fruit

Blossom end rot

Fruit cracking

Irregular watering

Have plants diagnosed by your local extension specialist.

If picking during hot weather, use a shade cloth. Late fall tomatoes
may not ripen because of low light and temperatures.
Blossom end rot is caused by a localized deficiency of calcium to
the developing fruit. Make sure your soil has medium to high
calcium levels; water uniformly; do not overapply NH4 fertilizers or
overprune. Calcium can be applied through the drip system. Do
not apply foliar calcium.
Mulch and water uniformly.

Table 6. Some tomato varieties for high tunnel production.

Days to
harvest

Disease
resistance

BHN 543

72

F12 V1

Carolina Gold

75

F12 V1 GW

Florida 47

75

F12 V1

Large, smooth, crack-resistant fruit; Good quality; Vine slightly less vigorous than Fl 91.

Florida 91

72

F12 V1

Large, smooth, crack-resistant fruit. Heat-set variety with good disease tolerance.

Floralina

72

F123 V1

Large, smooth, crack-resistant fruit. Very good taste.

Merced

69

F12 V1

Early; Good quality. Has a tendency to crack in the field but not the high tunnel.

Mountain Fresh

78

F12 V1

Excellent midseason variety; Very good quality. Vigorous vine. Good disease tolerance.

Mountain Spring

70

F12 V1

Early; Excellent fruit size.

70

F12 V1

Heat-set variety good for summer and fall production.

F12 V1

Excellent quality and yield

F12 V1

Excellent yield

Variety

Comments

Determinate

Sunleaper

Midseason early; Excellent size, shape and quality.

Yellow (tangerine) colored fruit; Vigorous vine. Excellent quality.

Indeterminate
Trust
Big Beef

73

1This

list is not intended to include every variety that may perform well in a high tunnel.
F = Fusarium wilt race 1, 2, 3
V = Verticillium wilt
GW = Gray wall
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

12

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Figure 17. Tomatoes can be packed in single- (15 lb) or multiple-layer (2025 lb) boxes for market.

Variety selection
The essential first step in successful hightunnel tomato production is selection of a suitable variety. Table 6 lists several varieties that
have performed well in high tunnel trials at the
University of Missouri.

Harvest and postharvest handling

Tomatoes can be harvested for vine-ripe
fruit about 45 days after flowering. However,
tomatoes continue to ripen when picked at any
stage from mature green onward. If high tunnel
tomato production is extended into late fall,
mature green fruit can be harvested before a
hard freeze and allowed to ripen at room temperature. Mature green fruit can also be harvested and allowed to ripen at room temperature. Mature green fruit exhibits a color break
in the shape of a star at the blossom end.
Another way to gauge maturity is to cut the
fruit, and if the seeds are cut, the tomato is not
ready to harvest.
Tomatoes are graded as USDA No. 1, No.
2, and No. 3. Within each grade class, tomatoes
can be sized as jumbo (more than 3.5" diameter); extra large (2.75" to 3.5"); large (2.5" to
2.75") and medium/small (less than 2.5"). Boxes

or shipping containers for tomatoes vary.

Typically tomatoes are packed in 20- to 25pound boxes or single layer, 15-pound boxes
(Figure 17).
Do not refrigerate vine-ripe tomatoes or
allow the fruit to be exposed to temperatures
higher than 85 degrees. If tomatoes are held in
storage, the temperatukre should be 5075
degrees F with 8590 percent relative humidity. On hot days, pulp temperature of tomatoes
can be 20 degrees warmer than air temperatures. Picking fruit early in the morning or in
the evening reduces field heat. Shade cloth can
significantly lower temperatures in the high
tunnel during harvest in late June and July.
Tomatoes can be packed immediately after harvest without washing, or growers can clean the
fruit with chlorinated water. If the fruit is
washed, do not use ice or cold water, and the
water should be properly chlorinated for sanitation (125 ppm). The pH of the wash water
should be 6.57.0. A washing and sizing unit
can be used to clean and size harvested fruit.
Avoid storing vine-ripe tomatoes with fruits
such as apples or cantaloupes. These fruits
emit ethylene, a gas hormone that accelerates
ripening of tomatoes and can reduce their shelf
life.

Also from Extension Publications 1-800-292-0969

MU publication MX 384, Midwest Vegetable
Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 177 pp.
This comprehensive guide, revised annually, gives a wealth
of information on how to protect your vegetable crops from
insect and disease pests. It contains reference sections for
planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting and storing more
than 30 vegetables common to the Midwest.
In addition, dozens of tables give information on varieties,
maturity dates, handling and storage life, estimated yields
per acre and more for each vegetable.

University of Missouri Extension

High Tunnel Temperature Management

13

High Tunnel Temperature Management

Temperature management is one of the
most critical components of successful high
tunnel tomato production. Early-season tomatoes can be successfully grown in the central
Midwest without supplemental heat. Using
raised beds, plastic mulch and row covers in the
high tunnel will significantly increase average
daily temperatures. Adding a second layer of
polyethylene covering will reduce heat loss and
the formation of condensate on the inside surface of the cover. Growers who wish to use
heaters may find them useful in protecting the
crop during a hard freeze and in accelerating
growth of the tomatoes.
The optimum temperature for growth of
the tomato plant is 7075 degrees F. Average
daily temperatures should not be lower than 65
degrees. Temperatures below 55 degrees during flowering can reduce fruit set and produce
misshapen fruit. Growers must monitor temperatures carefully by placing a minimum/maximum thermometer in the center of each high
tunnel at the height of the tomato canopy.
Shade the thermometer to avoid false high
readings due to direct exposure to sunlight.
For early-tomato production, April is the
most variable month for temperature within the
high tunnel. Often, the vents are adjusted three
or more times per day to maintain an optimum
temperature. Roof vents or vents at the top of
the end walls may be useful in preventing excessive heat and humidity buildup within the high
tunnel.

Extremely high temperatures (above 90

degrees) can cause tomato flowers of some cultivars to abscise and will prevent the tomato
from developing a uniform red color. High
temperatures cause the tomato leaves to turn
brown at the margins; the plant looks almost as
if it has been in a furnace. Using shade fabric
(3050%) from late June through July harvest
will significantly lower
temperatures within the
high tunnel.
Shade cloth can be
applied externally over
the high tunnel in June
and removed in early fall
(Figure 18). The shade
cloth should not cover
the sidewall vents. To
calculate the width of
shade cloth needed, use Figure 18. Shade cloth applied over the high tunnel
moderates midsummer temperatures.
the following formula
for a semicircular (arched) structure:
((W/2) x 3.14) (Hsw x 2),
where W = width of the high tunnel and Hsw =
height of the sidewalls.
Figures 1925 show daily temperature
cycles throughout the 2003 growing season as
recorded in the University of Missouri high
tunnel trials.

Temp (F)

120
100

60
40
20

9
13
Time (hours)

Outside

17

21
High tunnel

1
6
11
16
21
26
31
36
41
46
51
56
61
66
71
76
81
86
91
96

Temp (F)

80

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Time (hours)
Outside

Inside

(no rowcover)

Inside

(rowcover)

Figure 19. January 16-20, 2003. Row covers (double

layer; lightweight) were used to overwinter lettuce
with excellent results.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Figure 20. March 15, 2003. Tomatoes were transplanted. Ambient conditions were sunny and warm.
All vents were closed. The average 24-hour temperature in the high tunnel was 56 degrees F relative to
51 degrees F ambient temperature. The growing
degree day (gdd) base temperature for tomatoes
below which growth is negligible is 51 degrees F.

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

80

90

70

80

60

70

Temp (F)

Temp (F)

50

40
30
20
10
0

Vents
closed

60

50

40
30
20
10

9
13
Time (hours)

17

21

9
13
Time (hours)

High tunnel

Outside

Outside

Figure 21. March 30, 2003. Ambient conditions: Cool,

sunny with vents closed. Twenty-four hour temperature average within the high tunnel was 48 degrees F
compared with 36 degrees F ambient conditions.

17

21

High tunnel

Figure 22. April 4, 2003. Warm morning, then turning

colder through the day. Winds WNW; vents opened
on east side and closed at 3 p.m.

120

90
80

100

70
80

60
50

60

Temp (F)

Temp (F)

40
20
0

40
30
20
10

5
Outside

9
13
Time (hours)

17

High tunnel

21

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

9
13
Time (hours)

High tunnel
& row cover

Outside

Figure 23. April 21, 2003. Flowering of tomatoes

observed. Ambient conditions: Cloudy, cool morning;
Sunny afternoon. Vents closed. Single layer of lightweight row cover used.

Temp (F)

14

5
Outside

17

21

High tunnel

Figure 24. May 31, 2003. Ambient conditions: Cloudy,

cool. Vents open until 6 p.m.

9
13
Time (hours)
High tunnel

17

21
High tunnel/
shade cloth

Figure 25. July 4, 2003. Tomato harvest. Shade cloth

(47% black) significantly lowered temperatures and
improved ripening of high tunnel tomatoes.

University of Missouri Extension

Cropping Systems for Tomatoes in High Tunnels

15

Jan.

Transplant
basil

into lettuce and

carrots

Relay tomatoes

Seed carrots

for transplant

Seed lettuce
Seed tomatoes

Cropping Systems for Tomatoes in High Tunnels

for transplants

into tomatoes

Relay 2nd tomato

crop (grape)

beets,
Relay lettuce Seed
carrots, spinach,
transplants
brocoli, kale &
into tomatoes
lettuce
under row covers

into basil

Feb. March April

Harvest
lettuce

Seed lettuce

May June

Harvest lettuce
& carrots

July

Harvest
tomatoes

Aug. Sept. Oct.

Harvest basil

Nov.
Harvest
grape
tomatoes

Dec.
Harvest
lettuce

Remove basil
plants

Intercropping system

Figure 26. A hypothetical intercropping system for tomatoes in a high tunnel in central Missouri.

Intercropping is the growing of two or

more crops within the same production area
during part of the life cycle of each crop.
Intercropping in a high tunnel allows growers
to produce many vegetables within a limited
space and thus improve the output of the high
tunnel. Interplanting one vegetable with another after the first vegetable has become established is called relay intercropping (Figure 26).

Cropping system I
Tomatoes interplanted with lettuce

be relay planted into the existing lettuce bed

(Figure 28). Because the root systems of lettuce
and tomatoes do not compete, fertilization practices for the tomato can be used for both crops
without diminishing the yield of either. Lettuce
harvest begins in April and extends through
mid-June. Peak yields of lettuce occur before
tomatoes set fruit. Tomato harvest begins in
mid-June and extends through July. The lettuce
does not accumulate nitrates. Both crops are
able to maximize yields without competing with
each other.

Starting in January, leaf lettuce can be direct

seeded onto preformed raised beds within the
high tunnel (Figure 27). Each raised bed is
2430 inches wide by 610 inches high. The lettuce is direct seeded as two or three rows per
bed, 68 inches apart. In March, tomatoes can
Figure 28. Lettuce, carrots and basil are among the crops that can be intercropped
successfully with tomatoes in a high tunnel.

Tomato
plants

Cropping system II
Tomatoes interplanted with carrots

6-8 in.

6-8 in.

6-10 in.

Carrot &
lettuce
understory

24-30 inch width

Figure 27. Cool-season crops can be interplanted with

tomatoes in preformed raised beds.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Carrots can be seeded as soon as soil temperatures reach 45 degrees F. For example, carrots can be seeded from February through early
April in a high tunnel. Tomatoes can be relay
interplanted into the carrot bed with no loss in
yield of either crop. The carrots can be harvested one month to one week before harvest of the
tomatoes begins.

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Cropping system III

Tomatoes interplanted with basil

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

le
Ka
lty
ia li
ec co
Sp oc
br li
o
cc

o
Br

i
so

t
Ta

ts

ch
na

i
Sp

e
Be

ce

After final harvest of tomatoes in mid to

late November, a 100-day cool-season production window opens in the high tunnel. Hardy
vegetables such as broccoli (specialty and heading), kale, spinach, tatsoi, carrots, beets and lettuce can be direct seeded, germinated and overwintered under row covers within the high tun-

70

ttu

Cropping system IV
Overwintering cool-season vegetables

80

Le

Basil is often listed as a companion plant

that repels tomato hornworm. It can be relay
planted (from transplants) into existing tomato
beds in early July after the carrot or lettuce harvest has concluded. Basil is a warm-season herb
that grows well in hot weather. Harvest of basil
will typically run from early August through
October. The tomatoes can be left in place or
removed after peak harvest in late July. Grape
or cherry tomatoes can be planted into the
existing beds with basil.

90
Percent emergence

16

Row covers

No row covers

Figure 29. Row covers for winter crops significantly

improve germination.
Source: Data from University of Missouri Research
High Tunnels, 2003.

nel (Figure 29). The lettuce, spinach, miscellaneous salad greens and kale can be harvested
before mid-March in central Missouri. Other
cool-season vegetables may require a longer
season.

University of Missouri Extension

High Tunnel Tomato Pest Management

17

High Tunnel Tomato Pest Management

High tunnels provide a protected environment for crop growth and development that
restricts many pest outbreaks. However, certain
pests can invade high tunnel tomatoes.
Scouting rows and individual plants for disease
and insect problems is essential. A critical strategy for preventing diseases within a high tunnel
is complete removal of tomato residue between
crops. Remove vines, fruit and roots from the
plant beds.

Tomato diseases
Early blight (Alternaria solani)

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea)

Gray mold, often called Botrytis, is a problem on early-season tomatoes and thrives in a
humid, cool high tunnel
during overcast days.
The disease appears as a
gray, fuzzy growth on
leaves, flowers and
stems of fruit (Figure
31). On fruit, gray mold
makes a cloudy spot, or Figure 31. Gray mold infection on leaves and tomato
ghost spot. Improving fruit. Botrytis spores can germinate on dead flower
ventilation within the petals.
high tunnels and around the tomato vines
(pruning) will help prevent gray mold outbreaks. Close spacing of tomatoes within the
row can initiate gray mold infection. Labeled
fungicides including Exotherm Termil (chlorothalonil) can be used.

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans)

Photo credit: T. Baker

Figure 30. Symptoms of early blight include zonal or

concentric lesions on the lower leaf canopy. The
entire plant eventually becomes infected, resulting in
leaf loss and death.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Late blight can also be a serious disease of

early tomatoes in a high
tunnel. Lesions on the
stem (Figure 32) cause
the plant to wilt and
eventually collapse. The
plant has a scorched
appearance. Infected
leaves turn brown rapidly and fall from the
plant. Late blight is
favored by cool, damp
nights and warm days.
Figure 32. Late blight lesions on leaves and stems of
Follow control meas- high tunnel tomatoes.
ures similar to those for
early blight.

Photo credit: R. Snyder

Symptoms of early blight appear first on

the lower leaves of tomato plants. The disease
progresses up the plant canopy, eventually
infecting the fruit. Leaf lesions of this fungus
are rather distinctive with zonal (target board)
patterns (Figure 30). Stem lesions can form at
the soil line, causing the plant to wilt. As the
disease develops, the plant loses its leaves and
eventually succumbs to the disease.
Although early blight is more common in

field tomatoes, it can appear on high tunnel

tomatoes. High humidity promotes early blight
infection. Roll up sidewalls to increase ventilation and remove excess humidity. Practice good
sanitation by removing infected plants from the
high tunnel. Early blight will survive on decayed
plant material in the soil. Use labeled fungicides
such as chlorothalonil or azoxystrobin. Consult
the MU publication MX 384, Midwest Vegetable
Production Guide for Commercial Growers, for
more information on disease management.

18

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Sclerotinia stem rot

(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)
Sclerotinia stem rot is a disease favored by
cool, moist weather. Infection usually occurs at
the time of flowering and lesions are observed
in stem joints and at the soil line. Eventually,
large sections of the stem become invaded and
the stem develops a dry
rot. Within the dry, rotted stem are small, black
sclerotia that will initiate the disease (Figure
33). The plant exhibits
wilting and loss of
foliage. Remove infectFigure 33. Hard, black sclerotia within the tomato
ed plants. Avoid using
stem indicate Sclerotinia stem rot.
manure as a soil amendment unless it has been properly composted.

Bacterial speck (Pseudomonas syringae)

& bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris)

c
Figure 35. Bacterial
speck (a & b) and
bacterial spot (c) of
tomato fruit.

Figure 34. Septoria leaf spot.

Bacterial speck and spot are two potentially serious diseases of tomatoes. The environment within a high tunnel usually prevents bacterial disease outbreaks, but infection can be
introduced from infected transplants or stakes.
Bacterial spot occurs as dark angular spots on
the leaves with scabs on the fruit (Figure 35).
Bacterial speck produces similar leaf lesions but
with small, black specks on developing fruit.
Bacterial spot is favored by warm, wet weather
while bacterial speck occurs most often during
cool, wet weather. Use clean seed. Do not use
wooden tomato stakes from field plots that have
had bacterial spot or speck infection unless the
stakes have been sterilized. Consult the Midwest
Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial
Growers for further information on controlling
these bacterial diseases.

Tomato insects
Stink bug (Euschistus servus) or
(Acrosternum hilare)
Stink bugs can be a serious problem to
tomatoes within a high tunnel. Damage is
caused by adult stink bugs feeding on developing or ripe fruit and creating cloudy spots on
the fruit (Figure 36). Scout rows closest to vents
or doors for stink bugs. Since stink bugs are
attracted to many weeds, maintain a mowed,
100-foot perimeter around the high tunnel.

Figure 36. Stink bug feeding injury to tomato fruit is

often seen as a cloudy spot.

Fruitworm (Helicoverpa zea)

The tomato fruitworm is also known as the
corn earworm and cotton bollworm (Figure
37). Nocturnal (night) moths are attracted to
tomatoes during flowering. Keeping vents
closed during the night may lessen problems
with this pest. Use Bt insecticides (Dipel) to
control worms, including hornworms, cutworms, and armyworms. Note that Bt is only
effective against young worms. Therefore,
scouting and early detection are crucial. Other
worm pests include hornworms, cutworms and
armyworms.

Septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersici)

Septoria leaf spot appears on the lower
leaves as a circular lesion with a gray center
(Figure 34). Fruit infection does not occur.
Adequate ventilation is
important for control of
Septoria leaf spot in the
high tunnel. Avoid using
stakes from field tomatoes that have been
infected.

Figure 37. Tomato fruitworm damage to tomato

fruits. Fruitworms usually begin feeding from the
calyx (stem) end of the fruit.

University of Missouri Extension

High Tunnel Tomato Pest Management

Aphids (Aphididae)
Aphids are soft-bodied insects that can
thrive on tomato plants in a high tunnel (Figure
38). High humidity and mild weather create a
favorable environment for aphid population
development. Aphids damage tomato plants by
extracting sap from the leaves and stems (usually from the apical growth) and excreting a sugary mixture called honeydew that covers and
discolors the fruit and leaves. Aphids typically
move from concentrated areas, or hotspots,
in the high tunnel. Early detection and control

Figure 38. Aphids cluster at growing tips and under

the leaves, extracting sap and weakening plants.
Scout plants regularly.

are critical. Natural enemies of aphids include

lady beetles, syrphid flies, braconid wasps and
lacewings. However, natural populations may
not be present early in the season. Several biological controls are available (see Appendix for
a list of suppliers). Lady beetles are effective as
both larvae and adults and may eat as many as
50-300 aphids per day. Lady beetles are particularly effective if you have a large aphid population in the high tunnel.
In addition, use of insect exclusion screens
may be appropriate. Additional management
options are discussed in the Midwest Vegetable
Production Guide for Commercial Growers.

Flower thrips (Frankliniella tritici)

Thrips are small, slender insects that feed
on tomato flowers, leaves and developing fruit
(Figure 39). Damage is often observed on the

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

leaves as a silvery tissue caused by the thrips

rupturing plant cells. Feeding by thrips on
flowers can cause pollination problems and
bloom drop. Fruit damage appears as small, yellow flecks on the fruit. Many thrips enter high
tunnels on the transplants. Inspect the transplants carefully before planting. Thrips are
attracted to terminal growth and flowers of the
tomato plant.

Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Spider mites become a problem during hot,
dry weather. Mites congregate on the lower
surface of the leaf, and damage is observed as
small, yellowish white spots. Eventually the
entire leaf turns brown and falls from the plant,
exposing the fruit to sunburn. When populations of mites are high, silk webbing is
observed. Inspect tomato plants for mites near
doors and vents. Keep broadleaf weeds out of
the high tunnel. Many weeds serve as hosts for
spider mites, so maintain a mowed area around
the high tunnel.
Growers who wish to reduce insecticide
applications can employ one or more of the following strategies:
Use soft pesticides that target harmful
insects only.
Scout tomato plants routinely to detect
early invasion.
Treat only hot spots in the high tunnel.
Encourage natural populations of beneficial insects or release beneficial insects in
the high tunnel.

Tomato physiological disorders

Blossom end rot
Blossom end rot is a
physiological disorder
that affects tomatoes,
peppers and watermelons. Blossom end rot is a
deficiency of calcium in
the developing fruit.
The blossom end of the
tomato fruit develops a
dry rot that eventually
rots the fruit (Figure
40). The calcium deficiency may be caused by

Photo credit: T. Baker

Figure 39. Thrips damage to greenhouse cucumber

leaf.

19

Figure 40. Blossom end rot of tomato fruit.

20

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

low soil calcium (low soil pH), inadequate

watering, overpruning, overapplication of
ammonium fertilizer, or genetics. The combination of adequate calcium, mulching and even
watering prevents blossom end rot. Foliar applications of calcium are relatively ineffective in
controlling this disorder.

Yellow shoulder disorder

Yellow shoulder disorder can develop on
tomato fruits within the high tunnel. Affected
fruit will not develop red color when temperatures exceed 92 degrees. The apical or shoulder
of the fruit will develop a yellow color with
internal white tissue (Figure 41). The exact
cause of yellow shoulder disorder is not known.
However, this disorder
can be caused by poor
fruit shading. Temperatures of fruit exposed
directly to the sun can
be extremely high, preventing full color
development. Proper
fertilization, choosing
good cultivars and the
Figure 41. Yellow shoulder (above) and internal white
use
of shade cloth can
tissue (top right) of tomato fruit.
prevent this problem.

Green shoulder

Figure 42. Green shoulder (with radial cracking) of tomato fruit.

Green shoulder (green back) is a physiological disorder that is observed as a failure of

the tomato fruit to ripen toward the stem end
(Figure 42). Instead of developing a yellow
color (like yellow shoulder disorder), the fruit
tissue remains green. Much like yellow shoulder disorder, green shoulder is commonly
observed on fruit that has been exposed to high
light and temperature. Choose cultivars that
have the uniform ripening gene (UG) for even
color development.

Shoulder checking
Shoulder checking is usually observed on
fall tomatoes in Missouri high tunnels.
Typically the fruit shows
small, concentric cracks
on the stem end (Figure
43). The tomatoes
develop a russet appearance. Shoulder checking
is triggered by alternat43. Shoulder
ing periods of cool, Figure
checking on Carolina
cloudy weather with Gold tomato. Small
warm, sunny (dry) microcracks turn dark,
the fruit
weather. Rapid move- making
unmarketable.
ment of water and photosynthates into the fruit causes the cracking.
Water that condenses on the fruit can also cause
this problem.

Graywall (Blotchy ripening)

Graywall develops
on mature green fruit
before harvest. When
the tomato changes
color, gray, discolored
areas of the fruit are
present (Figure 44).
Graywall can be caused Figure 44. Graywall on
by several continuous tomato fruit.
days of cloudy weather,
excessive nitrogen, high soil moisture and possibly low potassium. Some cultivars are resistant to graywall.

For further information

Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for
Commercial Growers 2004. MU publication
MX-384. University of Missouri Extension,
University of Missouri-Columbia.

University of Missouri Extension

21

Marketing & Economics of High Tunnel Tomatoes

Marketing & Economics of High Tunnel Tomatoes

Price per pound ($)

2
1.5
1
0.5

12
7/

28

05
7/

6/
21

6/

14
6/

6/
0

24
5/
31

17

5/

5/

03

10

5/

5/

19

4/

4/

26

0
Dates (2003)

US No.1 lg.

US No.1 med.

US No. 2

Figure 45. Wholesale tomato prices at auction.

Source: Central Missouri Produce Auction, 2002
prices recorded as 0 indicate no U.S. No. 2 tomatoes
sold at that auction.

Percentage of chefs

organic or natural farming because many crops

can be grown with much less pest invasion with
high tunnel culture.
Restaurants also desire to purchase locally
grown, out-of-season produce from high tunnels. In a 2002 survey of restaurants in the St.
Louis region, 98 percent of surveyed chefs indicated a desire to purchase vine-ripe, locally
most desired
grown tomatoes (Figure Chefs
46). Many
chefs
warm
season
vegetables
expressed an interest in
100
purchasing
heirloom
98
tomato varieties. Research
80
has indicated that heir72
60
loom tomatoes are easier
to produce in a high tun40
39
nel than in the open field.
33 30
Other vegetables such as
20
26 24
specialty melons, cucum9
0
bers, squash, peppers and
cool-season vegetables,
including salad crops, are
in high demand by many
local restaurants. Sched- Figure 46. Tomatoes are the most desired warmseason vegetable.
uling production is critical Source: Data from restaurant survey in St. Louis,
when dealing with a Mo., 2002.

h
as
qu
rs
te
in
n
W
io
on

w
llo
Ye

sh
lic
ua
ar
G
sq
er
m
m
r
Su
be
s
m
um
so
uc
os
C
bl
sh
ua
Sq
s
er
pp
Pe
s
oe

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

2.5

at
m
To

Market outlets for high tunnel tomatoes

include wholesale produce auctions, restaurants, local farmers markets, direct store delivery, community-supported agriculture (CSA)
and on-farm sales. Wholesale produce auctions
are becoming increasingly popular in the central Midwest as market options for produce
growers. A produce auction is a grower cooperative that provides growers the opportunity to
sell locally grown produce directly to consumers or retail stores without using brokers or
shippers. Usually organized as a limited liability corporation, grower-members deliver their
produce to the auction as lots the same morning as the auction, and the produce is auctioned
to buyers. The cooperative deducts a commission (usually 710%) that is used to operate the
cooperative and pay the salary of the market
manager.
Prices at produce auctions are erratic given
the direct link between buyers and sellers. Low
prices often encourage more buyers for future
auctions, resulting in a price upswing. Capital
requirements for a produce auction are relatively small because produce is not stored for any
length of time. Wholesale tomato prices at produce auctions are generally within the range of
$1.001.50/lb from mid-June through early
July (Figure 45).
Community-supported agriculture is a
community of individuals who pledge support
to a farm operation so that the farmland
becomes the communitys farm, and the
growers and consumers provide mutual support
and share the risks and benefits of food production. Members or shareholders of the farm or
garden pledge in advance to cover the expected
costs of the farm operation and farmers salary.
In return, they receive shares in the farms harvest throughout the growing season, as well as
satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the
land. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvest due to unfavorable
weather or pests. Some CSA farms may allow
members to share in the farm work. High tunnels can be a successful component of community-supported agriculture by allowing farmers
to produce more fruits and vegetables in a given
season. High tunnels are also suitable for use in

22

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

restaurant. Contact your local restaurants to

determine which vegetables are desired
through the year.
Direct store delivery is another potential
direct marketing option. Independent supermarkets have an interest in purchasing home
grown tomatoes that can be produced earlier
or later in a high tunnel. Supermarkets usually
require product liability insurance.
Setting the price for high tunnel tomatoes
is critical. Because high tunnels enable earlyand late-season production, growers may have
more control over price. To determine a fair
market price, growers should know their costs
of production (Table 7). High tunnel tomato
costs of production can be separated into
categories:
Soil preparation: Includes soil testing, tilling, fertilizer/compost, raised bed formation, irrigation and mulch application.
Growers often fail to include their own
labor. However, including this within the
budget is critical. The budget in Table 6
assumes an hourly wage rate plus benefits
of $10/hour.
Seeding or transplanting: Plant costs are
approximately $41 per 1,000 square feet.

Production costs: Includes all inputs necessary to grow high tunnel tomatoes.
Harvesting costs: Labor is the dominant
cost associated with harvesting high tunnel
tomatoes. Twenty worker-hours per 170
plants (1,000 ft2) will be required.
Postharvest costs: Growers who wish to
separate tomatoes by grade class and rebox
fruit will include these costs. Also include
labels if appropriate. Box costs are $1/box.
Marketing costs: Include delivery.
Total production costs are $5.49/plant.
Fixed costs are expenses that are incurred
regardless of the level of production in the high
tunnel (Table 8). Typical fixed costs include the
high tunnel, shade cloth, machinery depreciation, etc. Fixed costs are $155/1,000 ft2.
High tunnel early-season tomatoes yield
approximately 812 pounds per plant (Table 9).
Thus a 2,000-square-foot commercial high
tunnel can produce 1,3604,080 pounds of
marketable fruit. To cover production costs,
growers must receive more than $.45/lb for a
high yield and more than $.68/lb for a low
yield.

For more information on tomato pricing

Truck Patch News
P.O. Box 101
Mt. Hope, OH 44660
(Prices from produce auctions)
Growing for Market
P.O. Box 3747
Lawrence, KS 66046
www.growingformarket.com
The Packer (Newspaper)
www.thepacker.com
(wholesale prices)
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm

University of Missouri Extension

Marketing & Economics of High Tunnel Tomatoes

Table 7. High tunnel tomato budget (per 1,000 ft2): 170 tomato plants per 1,000 ft2

Production expense
Soil preparation

Unit

Soil test

Quantity

Complete tunnel

Major tillage
Rototill
Compost

ton

Labor
(rate/hr)

Type

7.50

10.00

4.00

10.00

2.00

10.00

35.00

10.00

1.0

45.00

10.00

3.0

30.00

Price

Raised bed formation

Fertilizer and lime

Hours

Total
cost ($)

0.5

12.50
9.00
7.00

lb

50

5.00

10.00

0.5

10.00

Plastic mulch

linear ft

300

5.00

10.00

1.5

20.00

Irrigation drip tape

linear ft

300

5.00

10.00

0.5

10.00

170 plants

26.00

10.00

1.5

41.00

Plant costs
Transplants (including seed)
Starter solution

lb

1.00

1.00

Production costs
Herbicide

not applicable

Insecticide

6.50

10.00

1.0

16.50

Fungicide

7.00

10.00

1.0

17.00

37.00

10.00

5.0

87.00

10.00

3.0

31.00

Plastic, stake removal

10.00

3.0

30.00

Row covers

10.00

1.0

10.00

Stakes

10.00

2.0

20.00

Wire hoops

10.00

1.00

10.00

Temperature management

10.00

10.00

100.00

6.00

20.00

120.00

Cultivation
Irrigation/fertigation

not applicable
1,000 ft3

Twine and pruning

Fuel and oil

1.50

Harvesting costs
Picking
Postharvest costs
Boxes

85

85.00

Grading

85.00
6.00

20.00

120.00

10.00

100.00

Marketing costs
Packaging/delivery

10.00

Total production costs

933.50

Total fixed costs (from Table 8)

155.25

Total costs
M

= Manager labor; H = Hired labor See notes for Table 7, page 24.

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

$1,088.75

23

24

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Marketing & Economics of High Tunnel Tomatoes

Notes for Table 7.

Production expense

Comments

Soil preparation
Soil Test

Contact your local university soil testing laboratory for analysis.

Major tillage

Remove old crop residue (including roots) and till the soil.

Rototill
Compost

Have compost tested for pH and soluble salts.

Raised bed formation

Make a raised bed 610 inches high.

Fertilizer and lime

Plastic mulch

Use 11.25 mil embossed plastic mulch.

Irrigation drip tape

Use 810 mil drip tape with 4- to 12-inch drippers. Consider recycling drip tape.

Seeding or transplanting
Seeds

See seed supplier list, Appendix.

Transplants

Transplants should be stocky and 56 weeks old.

Starter solution

Use a soluble starter fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 9-45-15.

Production costs
Herbicide

No herbicides are needed within the high tunnel.

Insecticide

Scout plants near sidewalls and vents for insect invasion.

Fungicide

Scout plants and prevent buildup of humidity.

Cultivation

Very little cultivation is needed during tomato production.

Irrigation/fertigation

Use in-line filters and clean water.

Twine and pruning

Plastic, stake removal

In a 20' x 96' high tunnel, approximately 740 feet of twine is used per row of
tomatoes.
Many crops that follow tomatoes (peppers) can be planted in the existing plastic
mulch.

Row covers

Row covers are reusable for several years. Keep them clean.

Stakes

Metal rebar or wooden (pine) stakes. Approximately 160 stakes are needed for a
20' x 96' high tunnel.

Wire hoops

Wire hoops are 3/16 inch by 6476 inches. Space hoops 2 feet apart.

Temperature management

Monitor temperature carefully. Frequent adjusting of vents and row covers is

necessary during flowering in mid April.

Harvesting costs
Picking

Two to three harvests per week will be necessary.

Postharvest costs
Boxes

Use clean boxes.

Grading
Marketing costs
Packaging/delivery

University of Missouri Extension

Marketing & Economics of High Tunnel Tomatoes

Table 8. Fixed costs.

Fixed costs
High tunnel 2,000 ft2
Item

Cost

Years used

Yearly costs

Land charge/rent

$100.00

NA2

High tunnel material

3,000.00

10

300.00

Plastic covering

300.00

100.00

Shade cloth covering

$100.00

220.00

10

22.00

Wire hoops

40.00

8.00

Row cover

20.00

4.00

Stakes

10.00

2.00

Interest on land and buildings

20.00

NA

20.00

Taxes on land and buildings

10.00

NA

10.00

Depreciation on machinery

10.00

10

10.00

Interest on machinery

10.00

NA

10.00

Depreciation on irrigation equipment

10.00

10.00

5.00

NA

5.00

10.00

10

10.00

5.00

NA

5.00

5.00

NA

Interest on irrigation equipment

Depreciation on packing building
Interest on packing building
Insurance

Total fixed costs for each year

5.00
$621.00

Area portion for 1,000ft2

0.50

Yearly portion used for tomatoes

Tomatoes total fixed costs

0.50
$155.25

Note: Fixed costs are for a 2,000 ft2 high tunnel.

Table 9. Income sensitivity. (Total revenue ($) per 1,000 ft2 (170 plants))
Yield/plant (lb)
Price/lb
8

10

12

$1.00

$1,360

$1,700

$2,040

1.10

1,496

1,870

2,244

1.20

1,632

2,040

2,448

1.30

1,768

2,210

2,652

1.40

1,904

2,380

2,856

1.50

2,040

2,550

3,060

2.00

2,720

3,400

4,080

2.50

3,400

4,250

5,100

3.00

4,080

5,100

6,120

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

25

26

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

Appendix: Sources of Supply

Drip
irrigation
supplies

BWI
9831 Lackman Rd.
Lanexa, KS 66219
Phone: 800-662-5320

Morgan County Seeds

18761 Kelsay Rd.
Barnett, MO 65011-3009
Phone: (573) 378-2655

Roberts Irrigation Products

700 Rancheros Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92069-3007
Phone: (760) 744-4511

Chesmore Seed Co.

5030 Hwy 36
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Phone: 800-383-0865

Netafim USA
5470 E. Home Ave.
Fresno, CA 93727
Phone: (888) 638-2346
www.netafim-usa.com

Spring Brook Irrigation

11291 E. Lakewood Blvd.
Holland, MI 49424
Phone: (877) 396-1956
www.springbrookirrigation.com

Nolts Produce Supplies

152 N. Hershey Ave.
Leola, PA 17540
Phone: (717) 656-9764

T-Systems Intl.
7545 Carroll Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: 800-765-1860
www.t-tape.com

DripWorks
Phone: 800-616-8321
Web:www.dripworksusa.com
Hummert International
4500 Earth City Expressway
Earth City, MO 63045
Phone: 800-325-3055
www.hummert.com
Irrigation-Mart, Inc.
3303 McDonald Ave, East
Ruston, LA 71270-7412
Phone: 800-729-7246
www.irrigation-mart.com

Plastic Plumbing Products

2541 Link Rd.,
St. Louis, MO 63114
Phone: 800-369-7257
Queen Gil International
P.O. Box 26025
Jerusalem, Israel
Phone: 800-831-6889

Zimmerman Irrigation Inc.

TRICKLE-EEZ Co.
Michigan Office
4266 Hollywood Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: 800-874-2553
www.trickl-eez.com

Rain-Flo Irrigation
884 Center Church Rd.
East Earl, PA 17519
Phone: (717) 445-6976

Tomato seed

AgriSales, Inc.,
P.O. Box 2060
Plant City, FL 33564
Phone: 813-477-1405
www.agrisales.com

Harris Seeds
P.O. Box 22960
Rochester, NY 14692-2960
Phone: 800-544-7938
www.harrisseeds.com

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

2278 Baker Creek Rd.
Mansfield, MO 65704
Phone: (417) 924-8917
www.rareseeds.com

Holmes Seed Co.,

2125 46th St. N.W.
Canton, OH 44709
Phone: 800-435-6077

Burpee Seeds
300 Park Ave.
Warminster, PA 18974
Phone: 800-888-1447
www.burpees.com
Chesmore Seeds
5030 Hwy. 36
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Phone: 800-383-0865
www.chesmore.com

Note: Mention or
exclusion of any
proprietary product or
company does not
imply endorsement
by University of
Missouri Extension.

FedCo Seeds
P.O. Box 520
Waterville, ME 04903
Phone: (207) 873-7333
www.fedcoseeds.com

Johnnys Selected Seeds

310 Foss Hill Rd.
Albion, ME 04910
Phone: 800-854-2580
www.johnnyseeds.com
Morgan County Seeds
18761 Kelsay Rd.
Barnett, MO 65011
Phone: 888-266-0014
Park Seeds
Cokesbury Rd.
Greenwood, SC 29647
Phone: 800-845-3366
Rupp Seeds Inc.,
17919 County Rd. B
Wauseon, OH 43567-9458
Phone: (419) 337-1841

Seed Savers Exchange

3076 N. Winn Rd.
Decorah, IA 52101
www.seedsavers.org
SeedWay
1225 Zeager Rd.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Phone: 800-952-7333
www.seedway.com
Siegers Seed Co.,
8265 Felch St.
Zeeland, MI 49464-9503
www.siegers.com
Stokes Seeds
Box 548
Buffalo, NY 14240-0548
Phone: 800-396-9238
www.stokeseeds.com
Tomato Growers Supply
P.O. Box 2237
Fort Myers, FL 33902
Phone: 888-478-7333
www.tomatogrowers.com
Totally Tomatoes
P.O. Box 1626
Augusta, GA 30903
Phone: (803) 663-0016
www.totallytomato.com

University of Missouri Extension

Appendix

A. M. Leonard
P.O. Box 816
Piqua, OH 45356
Phone: 800-543-8955
www.amleo.com

Grow-It Greenhouse
P.O. Box 26037
West Haven, CT 06516
Phone: 800-932-9344
www.growitgreenhouses.com

Rimol Greenhouse Systems

40 Londonderry Turnpike
Hooksett, NH 03106
Phone: (877) 746-6544
www.rimol.com

Atlas Greenhouse Systems, Inc.

P.O. Box 558
Alapaha, GA 31622
Phone: 800-346-9902
www.AtlasGreenhouse.com
e-mail:
[email protected]

Harnois Greenhouses
www.harnois.com
US Distributors include:
Syngenta Inc./S&G Flowers (D)
5300 Katrine Ave.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: (630) 969-0889
1-(888) 323-7253
Fax: (630) 969-6498
[email protected]

Speedling Inc.
P.O. Box 7238
Sun City, FL 33586
Phone: 800-881-4769
www.speedling.com

Conleys Greenhouse Mfg.

4344 Mission Blvd.
Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: 800-377-8441
www.conleys.com
e-mail: [email protected]
CropKing, Inc.,
5050 Greenwich Rd.,
Seville, OH 44273
Phone: (330) 769-2616
www.cropking.com
e-mail: [email protected]
FarmTek
1440 Field of Dreams Way
Dyersville, IA 52040
Phone: 800-327-6835
www.FarmTek.com

Ledgewood Farm
Edward Person
RFD 1 Box 375
Moultonboro, NH 03254
Phone: (603) 476-8829
Ludy Greenhouses
P.O. Box 141
New Madison, OH 45346
Phone: (937) 996-1921
www.ludy.com
e-mail: [email protected]
Poly-Tex Inc.,
P.O. Box 458
Castlerock, MN 55010
Phone: 800-852-3443
www.poly-tex.com

Alternative
349 East 86th St., Suite 259
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: (317) 823-0432

Hummert International
4500 Earth City Expressway
Earth City, MO 63045
Phone: 800-325-3055

Arbico
P.O. Box 4247CRB
Tuscon, AZ 85738
Phone: (602) 825-9785

Hydro-Gardens, Inc.,
P.O. Box 25845
Colorado Springs, CO 80936-5845
Phone: 800-634-6362

Associates Insectary
P.O. Box 969
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Phone: (805) 933-1301

IPM Laboratories, Inc.,

Locke, NY 13092-0300
Phone: (315) 497-2063
Koppert Biological Systems, Inc.,
28465 Beverly Rd.
Romulus, MI 48174
Phone: (734) 641-3763

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

27

High tunnels
(hoophouses)

Stuppy Greenhouse Mfg.

1212 Clay St.
P.O. Box 12456
North Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: 800-733-5025
www.stuppyg.com
e-mail: [email protected]
Turner Greenhouses
P.O. Box 1260
Goldsboro, NC 27530
Phone: 800-672-4770
www.turnergreenhouses.com
Zimmermans Welding
Jacob L. Zimmerman
16645 Ridgewood Rd.
Versailles, MO 65084
Phone: (573) 378-4770

Plant Products Co.,

6160 Riverside Dr.
Suite 103
Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: 800-565-4769
The Green Spot, Ltd.,
93 Priest Rd.
Nottingham, NH 03290-6204
Phone: (603) 942-8925
Westbridge Agricultural
Products
1150 Joshua Way
Vista, CA 92081
Phone: 800-876-2767

Biological
pest controls

28

High Tunnel Tomato Production Guide

University of Missouri Extension

2002 Arborday.org Hardiness Zones map, based on the 1990 USDA hardiness zone map.
Source: National Arbor Day Foundation, Arborday.org.

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