Plasticulture

Recycling*	Low Tunnels | Hoophouse	Mulch | Crops	High Tunnels	Greenhouses

*Photo courtesy of RE Sources

The term plasticulture is used to describe the broad and general use of plastics in agriculture. Plasticulture can extend the growing season and improve crop health and growth. This web page includes links to information on the use of plasticulture in the form of plastic mulch, degradable mulch, tunnels (low and high), hoophouses, greenhouses and agricultural plastic recycling as well as crops most often grown with plasticulture, and agriculture plastic recycling in the Northwest. For an overview of why and how season extension can be accomplished through plasticulture, see:

• Season Extension Techniques. Season extension can enable year-round crop production as well as higher-quality produce. This publication describes season extension techniques and provides sources for equipment, supplies, and further information. ATTRA.
• Season Extension. Advantages and disadvantages of using plasticulture to extend the crop growing season. North Carolina State University Extension.
• Season Extension Tools and Techniques. Summary of various season extension techniques including plasticulture plus many links for further research. University of Kentucky Extension.
• Growing More Out of Your Season. An informative introductory power point on season extension. Includes many types of plasticulture, advice from growers, as well as a budgeting guide to help decide if platiculture is an economical choice. University of Tennessee Extension.

Mulch

Plastic mulch is commonly used to control weeds in the crop row, moderate soil temperature and conserve water in the plant root zone. There are many different colors and qualities of plastic mulch, and use varies depending on the season and crop being grown. There are also degradable mulches made of cornstarch and paper, and plastic mulches that are heat and/or light degradable.

Biodegradable Alternative to Plastic. Vegetable oil coated paper mulch as an alternative to plastic mulch. USDA ARS.

Common Mulch. Brief overview of common types of mulches, disadvantages and advantages of using mulch, and a minimal overview of mulch application. University of Florida.

Degradable Mulch. Research study testing various degradable mulch products in vegetable crops. Washington State University Extension.

Plastic Mulch Overview of what mulch is and a comparison of common types of mulch. Also, links to further information on mulches. Penn State University.

Plastic Mulch & Drip Irrigation. Includes detailed instructions for drip irrigation set-up, rates of irrigation, fertigation methods and quantities, double cropping suggestions, and cost estimates for a plastic mulch system. North Carolina State University Extension.

Use of Plastic Mulch. Outline of advantages and disadvantages of using plastic mulch, and detailed instructions on plastic mulch application, planting, maintenance, and removal. Oklahoma State University Extension.

Structures

Various types of structures are available to lengthen the growing season for the crop and improve overall crop health and quality. The following are just a few of the structures available, such as high tunnels, low tunnels, hoophouses, and greenhouses. Structures that are used for winter production must be able to withstand heavy rainfall, snow, and wind. Structures that are used for summer production must have good ventilation. Many structures may not be suitable for year-round production.

Low Tunnels

Depending on the crop low tunnels can be used to extend the growing season by accessing many of the benefits of a conventional greenhouse including increased temperature and wind protection. Typically low tunnels are row covers supported by wire hoops and are often used with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation.

Low Tunnel Benefits and Types. The benefits of using low tunnels and common types of covers. New Mexico State University Extension.

Low Tunnel Basics. Basic low tunnel construction information. Penn State University.

Low Tunnel Ventilation. Introduces the importance of monitoring temperatures in low tunnels and describes several ventilation techniques. University of Kentucky Extension.

High Tunnels

Temporary structures covered with single or double layer plastic; used to protect the crop from rain, increase daytime temperatures; enable off-season production of many crops. Tunnels are tall enough for a person to stand up inside; crops are almost always grown in-ground; no automated heating or venting. Can be 3-season (spring, summer, fall) or 4-season (spring, summer, fall, winter). Four season structures are built more securely along sides and ends to withstand inclement weather such as snow; commonly referred to as a hoop house.

Extending Crop Life. High tunnels help to extend the production of vegetable and flower crops across the country. Summary of SARE project.

High Tunnel Discussion Group. A USDA-sponsored project to test and promote high tunnel systems in the Central Great Plains. Provides information and links to relevant sites around the world, so that growers and educators have a one-stop source where they can find information on all aspects of high tunnel construction and use.

High Tunnel Overview. Benefits and costs of high tunnels. Links to research studies regarding crop production. Penn State University.

High Tunnel Construction. Photographs of installing a high tunnel in the field. Rutgers University.

High Tunnel Crop Production Project. Overview of high tunnels, including temperature modification. Mississippi State University.

High Tunnel Guide. Brief overview of advantages, disadvantages, structure selection, installation and management of high tunnels. USDA NRCS.

High Tunnel Manual. Construction and management information, case studies of farms in US using high tunnels with different crops and management intensity. Cornell University, University of Vermont, NESARE.

High Tunnel Production Manual. Although written for farmers in Minnesota this comprehensive guide is applicable to high tunnels everywhere. Includes suggestions for construction, fertigation, disease management, economics, and more.

History and Trials. The history of high tunnels and the influence of mulch on tomato and lettuce yields. Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Low Start up Cost. Start up costs and suggestions made by farmers employing the use of these cost effective tunnels. Agriculture Online.

Manufacturers and Suppliers. List of common manufacturers and suppliers of high tunnels in the United States.

Hoophouses

Portable Field Hoophouse. A simple, inexpensive design for a portable field hoophouse. Washington State University Extension Bulletin EM015.

ATTRA hoophouse webinar. A slide presentation that presents the uses and benefits of hoop houses, different types of hoop houses, construction, materials and cost estimates, management of crops, soil fertility, pests and weeds, and the economics and marketing of crops.

Early Maturity. How hoophouses promote early maturity in tomato plants. Nobel Foundation

Field Hoophouse. An easy-to-make field hoophouse. New Mexico State University Circular 606.

Building a Hoophouse (Part 1) and Building a Hoophouse (Part 2). Michigan State University’s Hoophouse expert, Adam Montri, narrates this two-part instructional video on hoophouse construction.

Greenhouses

Greenhouse Management Online. Interactive learning center for greenhouse management, designed to serve the horticultural industry. Department of Horticulture, University of Arkansas.

Management and Requirements for Greenhouses. Basic design and management requirements for greenhouse, glazings, and coverings. University of Arizona Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department.

Solar Greenhouses. Information on solar greenhouse designs, solar heat storage, basic principles and more. ATTRA.

Structures in Agricultural Production. Brief overview of plastic covered structure types used in agricultural production. University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management.

Suppliers. A list of suppliers and manufactures for greenhouse production. This site should not be taken as a preference of one supplier/manufacture over another, and does not include all of the suppliers and manufactures available in each state. University of Florida Extension.

Crops

Information regarding specific types of crops commonly grown on mulch, in tunnels or in hoophouses for season extension (spring, fall, winter), or during the main summer season.

Crops for High Tunnels. Studies and resources of warm season vegetables and melons, cut flowers and small fruit grown with high tunnels. Hightunnels.org.

Hoophouses on the Farm. Small fruit and vegetable crops production, mistakes learned, and profits gained. Mielke Farm, Wisconsin.

Effects of Mulch Color. Color of mulch for eight different vegetable crops. Penn State University.

Significant Increases. Crops with greatest success due to plastic mulch. North Carolina State University.

Strawberry Production with Mulch. Research study to investigate effect of black and red plastic mulch on strawberry production. Crop Science Journal.

Recycling

Recycling is a common issue faced by agricultural plastic users. The cost of removing and disposing of agricultural plastics can be high. Following are some programs and companies that offer agricultural plastic recycling in the Northwest.

Northwest Ag Plastics, Inc. Offers recycling for mulch film, drip irrigation tape, row covers, tunnel film, greenhouse film, and more. Also offered are recycling services for rigid plastics such as buckets, barrels/drums, and irrigation pipe.

RE Sources. Offers education to the public on a variety of local environmental issues connected with plastic use and recycling.

Agri-Plas. Offers recycling for agricultural plastics such as nursery pots and trays, ground cover, seed sacks, plastic binder twine, triple-rinsed pesticide containers, greenhouse film and more. Located in Brooks, Oregon.

Recommended Print Resources

Four Seasons Harvest. Provides information on seasonal crop production with the help of hoophouses. Eliot Coleman, Four Season Farm.

The Hoophouse Handbook. Provides grower-based experiences using hoophouses and high tunnels for vegetable and flower production. Includes design ideas, budget sheets and much more. Growing for Market.