Hightunnels modify the environment around a planting.  They can be used to hasten crops in the spring, extend them in the fall, protect them in the winter, or protect them from precipitation year-round.  I was part of a team at the University of Arkansas, who investigated and taught growers about the construction and use of hightunnels:

These projects produced new systems:

• Fall production of primocane-fruiting blackberry
• Winter strawberry production

Presentations

Christopher Vincent and M.E. Garcia. 2011. Winter production of strawberries under hightunnels. January, Hope, Arkansas.

Christopher Vincent and M.E. Garcia. 2010. Hightunnel design and construction. Horticulture Industry Show. January, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Publications

Vincent, Christopher I., and M. Elena García. 2011. A system of defined phenological stages for cold tolerance and development of floricane inflorescences of primocane-fruiting blackberries. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 65:54-60.

Vincent, Christopher I., M. Elena García, Donn T. Johnson, and Curt R. Rom. 2010.   Broad mite on primocane-fruiting blackberry in organic production in Arkansas. HortTech. 20:718-723.

García, M.E., D. Dickey, C. Wingfield, and C. Vincent. 2012. Season extension strawberry cultivar trial in two climatically diverse regions in Arkansas. HortScience 47(9):S133 (abstr.).

García, M.E., D. Dickey, and C. Vincent. 2012. Expanding Strawberry Season Production and Cultivar Evaluation in Arkansas. HortScience 47(9):S32 (abstr.).

Reynoso, J.C., M.E. Garcia, C. Vincent, and D. Dickey. 2012. Determining nitrogen fertilization rates and time of application of primocane-fruiting blackberries. HortScience 47(9):S383 (abstr.).

García, M.E., and C. I. Vincent. 2010. Impacts of temperature on node formation and bloom date of primocane-fruiting blackberry genotype APF-52 under high tunnel and ambient conditions and multiple mowing treatments. HortScience. 45(4):494 (abstr.)

Vincent, C. I., M.E. Garcia, and C. R. Rom. 2010. Using Mowing in Combination with Hightunnels to Delay Harvest of Primocane-Fruiting Blackberries. 28^th Int. Hort. Congress. (abstr.)

Friedrich, H., C.R. Rom, J. McAfee, M.E. Garcia, D.T. Johnson, J.S. Popp, and C. Vincent. 2009. Performance of high tunnel organic blackberry and raspberry. HortScience. 44:1114(abstr)

Vincent, C. I., M.E. Garcia, and C. R. Rom. 2009. Comparison of growing degree unit models for primocane-fruiting blackberry. HortScience. 44:1001 (Abstr).

Vincent, C.I., C.R. Rom and M.E. Garcia. 2009. Effects of hightunnels and cane-mowing regimen on the growing degree unit response and requirements of primocane-fruiting blackberries. LXIX Southern Reg. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. HortScience. 44:556 (abstr.).

Vincent, C., H. Friedrich, and M. E. Garcia. 2008. Extending peak harvest of primocane-fruiting blackberries under high tunnel production. HortScience. 43: 625 (abstr).