Southwest Purdue Ag Center field day to focus on high tunnels

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - This year’s Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center field day will focus on raising fruit and vegetable crops in high tunnels - durable, low-cost, plastic-covered structures similar to greenhouses.

The field day is from 3-5 p.m. Eastern time on May 9. SWPAC is at 4369 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes.

High tunnels are often used to extend the growing season by providing an intermediate level of environmental protection and control. Field day participants will have an opportunity to tour SWPAC’s advanced high tunnel facilities and get growing tips from Purdue Extension specialists.

Topics include strawberry production in high tunnels, early-season frost protection using row covers, and tips for growing grafted tomatoes and cucumbers in high tunnels.  

“Farmers will learn how to grow strawberries in high tunnels to extend the harvest season and the varieties that are most suitable for a high tunnel production system,” said Wenjing Guan, assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture at SWPAC and an expert on high tunnel production. “They will also learn the benefits of vegetable grafting and observe demonstrations of grafted tomatoes and cucumbers in high tunnels.”

The event is free, but registration is required. For more information, call SWPAC at 812-886-0198 or email Guan at guan40@purdue.edu.

Writer: Darrin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu

Source: Wenjing Guan, 812-886-0198, guan40@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722; 

Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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