New plastic was finally able to be installed on the middle high tunnel on May 12. Wind conditions were calm and the process of reskinning took 8 of us about 2.5 hours to complete. During the month of May, DSAC has received a total of 3.81 inches of rain with an average maximum temperature of 76 F and an average minimum temperature of 57 F. Temperature averages and precipitation are practically the same for both April and May.
Tomato and pepper plants in the variety trial plots are growing well, with tomato fruit on the first clusters beginning to size nicely along with strong fruit sets on the second and third flower clusters. The first fruits on the peppers are starting to form as well. Plots continue to receive weekly fertilizer applications through the drip irrigation system along with subplots receiving weekly sidedress applications of the liquid biostimulant. The indeterminate tomatoes are being pruned as needed to a single leader, removing all suckers, and continuing to be clipped to a single string for support. While this could reduce overall yields, it allows for improved airflow within a more open plant canopy, reducing environmental conditions conducive to disease incidence, and allows for more efficient harvesting. The determinate tomatoes are supported using the trellis weave system, with the fourth string going on this week. The bell peppers are also supported with stakes and tomato twine with stakes every 10 feet or so. The string stays on the outside of the plants to keep the twin rows from leaning into the row middles.
Hydroponic tunnel
The hydroponic cucumbers have been producing fruit the last half of May, needing to be harvested almost daily with pruning and clipping happening twice each week. More cucumber plants have been started and will be planted sometime towards the end of June. Green beans are flowering and should be setting pods any day, the herbs are being trimmed weekly, and the day neutral strawberries are being harvested and setting new flower clusters. Cherry tomatoes are ripening, and harvest should begin the first week of June. This year ‘Sugar Cube’ cantaloupes have been planted in the hydroponic tunnel. The plants are setting lots of flowers, both male and female, and the first fruits have set and are starting to size. These plants are placed in the tunnel so that the breeze from the HAF fans blows along the row, helping to move pollen between flowers. There are no bees in this high tunnel for pollination but hopefully with wind movement and movement during pruning and training enough pollen can get distributed for ample fruit set.