1. Season Extension with
Storage, Root Cellaring &
Low Tunnels
NOVEMBER 2013
Paul & Sandy Arnold

2. Pleasant Valley Farm
Argyle, New York

3. OUR 10 KEY FACTORS TO
REACHING OUR GOAL OF
PROFITABLE FARMING
• INEXPENSIVE START-UP WITH SMART EXPENDITURES
• GOOD BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & RECORD KEEPING
• LABOR EFFICIENCIES TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS
• EFFICIENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS & SOIL MANAGEMENT
• MULCHING AND WEED CONTROL
• PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
• SEASON EXTENSION-ROWCOVERS & FIELDHOUSES
• YEAR-ROUND HIGH TUNNEL PRODUCTION
• POST-HARVEST HANDLING AND CROP STORAGE
• CREATIVE MARKETING

4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A healthy, challenging, financially successful, family
centered lifestyle.
Consistent, high quality, organic fruits and vegetables
that make us proud.
A way of life that is an example to those around us.
Time to be an educator of environmentally sound
agriculture to our employees, customers, and the
community.
A rural environment that teaches good moral values
and work ethics to our children, while providing time
for fun and interesting opportunities.
MISSION STATEMENT 12/94

5. • 5 Acres Mixed Diverse Vegetables
• ½ Acre Large Fruits
• ¼ Acre Small Fruits
• Perennials & Herbs From Seed
• 3-4 Acres Cover Crops
• Sell at 3 local weekly farmers’ markets in
summer & two Saturday winter markets
• Hay fields used by local Beefalo farmer

6. PLEASANT VALLEY FARM
1988-1998

7. Storage for
Year-Round Sales

8. GROW QUALITY CROPS TO
HAVE QUALITY PRODUCTS
IN STORAGE
….AND QUALITY COMING OUT OF STORAGE

9. HARVEST AT PROPER TIME

10. •Netting for Insects
•3 types
•Great investment
•Biothrips netting for
thrips, flea beetle
HIGH QUALITY AT
HARVEST MEANS
FASTER PROCESSING
AND HIGHER POSTHARVEST QUALITY

12. KEEP WEEDS OUT!
CLEAN CROPS MEAN
FASTER HARVEST
AND HIGHER QUALITY
OF PRODUCE…

13. WALK-IN
COOLER FOR
SHORT TERM
COOLING &
LOW HUMIDITY
STORAGE

14. • Winter Squash
• Sweet Potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Brussels Sprouts
• Leeks
• Potatoes
• Brassicas
• Greens
CROPS FOR STORAGE

15. CLIP STEMS
STACK GENTLY
CLOSE TO
WATCH STEMS
SQUASH
• WINNOW IN
CURE IN FIELD
THE IN STORAGE
OR FIELD FOR
• EASE OF
SUN SCALD
LOADING
WINTER SQUASH

16. WASH
BEFORE OR
AFTER??
SORT FOR
1ST & 2ND
WASHING

17. • SOIL TYPE
• UNDER-CUTTER
BAR
TUNNEL VS
OUTSIDE
SWEET POTATOES

18. BINS
20 BUSHEL
TYPAR ROWCOVER
• HEAT
• DEER
• PLANT SKYDD
SWEET POTATOES

19. Pay attention to
details for
maximum profits
BETTER
QUALITY
MEANS A
HIGHER PRICE
CURING SITE #1

20. JUNE 2010

21. Optimum Curing for
Sweet Potatoes:
• 85-90 degrees for 4-7
days at 80-90%
humidity
• Longer if cooler
• Taste better with age
STORAGE AREA #3:
When supply down,
move to heated cooler
CURING SITE #2

22. Optimum Curing for
Winter Squash:
• INDOOR: 80-90
degrees for 7
days with
ventilation
• OUTDOOR: Field
cure in sun for 5-7
days-CAUTION
• Longer if cooler
• Taste better with
age
Varieties vary for
curing times
CURING SITE #2

23. • Vent-less
Propane
Heater—Or
Electric
• Dehumidifier
• Plastic BinsDecade $130
• TEW
Vegetable
Washer
CURING SITE #2

24. • Winnowed
• Field Cured
• Necks must be
dried down well
(at least 1 week in
sun)
• Beware of sun
scald
• Sorted as crated
ONIONS

25. ALTERNATIVE
CURED IN
GREENHOUSE
ON RACKS
ONIONS

26. STORAGE
• TEMP 32
• HUMIDITY
60-70%
• SAME FOR
SHALLOTS
ONIONS

27. HARVEST
• FORK
CAREFULLY
• CLIP OFF
ROOTS
• STACK GENTLY
GARLIC

28. WASH
• POWER
WASH VS
NO-WASH
• EASY TO ID
SECONDS
• REDUCES
PREP TIME
GARLIC

29. RACKING
• BUILD AS
GARLIC
COMES IN
• AMPLE
SPACE
• FAN
GARLIC

30. RACKING
• Alternative
is in the High
Tunnel
• Dries faster
• Shade cloth
if needed
GARLIC

31. DRYING
• EASY
ACCESS
• READY FOR
SELLING!
GARLIC

32. “THE SHOP” ALSO
GREAT AREA FOR
GARLIC
STORAGE
WITH ONIONS
32 DEGREES
60-70% HUMIDITY
VERNALIZE??
WINTER STORAGE

33. •
•
•
Homemade Box
Reduce heating costs
Thermostat controlled
WINTER STORAGE

34. • GREAT USE OF SECONDS
• PEEL AND PUT THROUGH
FOOD PROCESSOR
• DEHYDRATE ABOUT 12 HRS
• GRIND MEDIUM COARSE
• BAG IN MINI-ZIPLOCK
• SELL AT $1.50 FOR .03#
(Heaping Tablespoon)
• VALUE ABOUT $30 PER
POUND
• STORE IN SEALED GLASS
JARS IN COLD ROOM (35
DEGREES)
GROUND GARLIC

35. STRIP LEAVES
CUT WITH
LOPPERS
DISEASE FREE?
BRUSSELS SPROUTS

36. • GRAIN BAGS
• OPEN FOR
VENTILATION
• STORE TILL
MID-FEB
• 32 DEGREES
• 95-100%
HUMIDITY
BRUSSELS SPROUTS

37. • Sell on the
stalk or strip
off sprouts
• Lose color in
storage
• Can put
light on
them (15w)
BRUSSELS SPROUTS

38. • Dig with Fork
• Sickle or cut
off some of
roots & very
top
LEEKS

39. •
•
•
•
•
LEEKS
PACK IN
GRAIN BAGS
STORE FEB+
32 DEGREES
95-100%
HUMIDITY
WINTER LEEKS
STILL IN FIELD

40. Invest in the
equipment that
makes
harvesting fast,
fun and efficient
Under Cutter/
Carrot lifter
Borrowed from
local farmer
CARROT HARVEST

41. Find the right
model of
equipment for
your needs
Roeters in Michigan
http://www.roetersfarmequipment.com
CARROT HARVEST

43. •
•
•
•
•
•
BREAK OFF TOPS
SORT INTO
GRAIN BAGS
WINNOW BAGS
LOAD BY
VARIETY
STORE 32
DEGREES
95-100%
HUMIDITY
CARROT HARVEST

44. •
•
•
•
•
Carrot Harvester
FMC
Single row
Bought Used
Pros and Cons
CARROT HARVEST

45. •
•
•
•
•
1 ROW
POTATO
DIGGER
CHECCI
MAGGLI
1 BUCKET PER
GRAIN BAG
LOAD BY
VARIETY
GENTLE!
POTATO HARVEST

46. •
•
•
CELERIAC
KOHLRABI
RUTABAGA
•
TRIM TOPS &
ROOTS
PACK IN GRAIN
BAGS
•
LONG TERM STORAGE
6-8 MONTHS+
OTHER ROOT CROPS

47. •
•
•
MEDIUM TO LONG
TERM STORAGE
TURNIPS
BEETS
RADISHES—
Small round
red & winter
• TRIM TOPS
• PUT IN 5 GAL
BUCKETS
• POUR IN GRAIN
BAGS
OTHER ROOT CROPS

48. •
•
•
•
LONG TERM STORAGE
4-5 MONTHS
CABBAGE—
RED & GREEN
Storage #4
Reaction
Super Red 80
• CUT AT BASE
• PEEL EXCESS
LEAVES
• PUT IN GRAIN
BAGS
OTHER CROPS

49. •
•
•
•
SHORT TERM STORAGE
6-8 WEEKS
CELERY
SWISS CHARD
ESCAROLE
SPINACH
• CUT AT BASE
• PEEL EXCESS
LEAVES
• PUT IN STORAGE
BINS
• MIST IF NEEDED
OTHER CROPS

50. •
•
•
•
SHORT TERM STORAGE
6-8 WEEKS
LETTUCE
KALE
CAULIFLOWER
BROCCOLI
• CUT
• PEEL OFF BAD
LEAVES
• PUT IN OLDER
STORAGE BINS
• MIST IF NEEDED
OTHER CROPS

51. VEGETABLE
TEMP F.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
STORAGE LIFE
HIGHEST
FREEZING TEMP.
Beet, topped
32
98-100
4-6 mon.
30.3
Brussel sprouts
32
95-100
3-5 weeks
30.5
Cabbage, late
32
98-100
5-6 mon.
30.4
Carrot, mature
32
98-100
7-9 mon.
29.5
Celariac
32
97-99
6-8 mon
30.3
Celery
32
98-100
2-3 mon.
31.1
Garlic
32
65-70
6-7 mon.
30.5
Kale
32
95-100
2-3 weeks
31.1
Kohlrabi
32
98-100
2-3 mon.
30.2
Leek
32
95-100
2-3 mon.
30.7
Lettuce
32
98-100
2-3 weeks
31.7
Onion, dry
32
65-70
1-8 mon.
30.6
Potato, late
38-40*
90-95
5-10 mon.
30.9
Radish, Winter
32
95-100
2-4 mon.
Rutabaga
32
98-100
4-6 mon.
30.0
Squash, Winter
50*
50-70
Varies
30.5
Sweet Potato
55-60*
85-90
4-7 mon.
29.7
Turnip
32
95
4-5 mon.
30.1
* Require curing
http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/hb66/contents.html
Adapted from Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers

52. ROOT CELLAR 20 FEET BY 30 FEET UNDER BARN
• 7 foot Ceilings
• Insulated
• Into bank on 2 ½ sides

53. Loaded via
assembly
line into the
root cellar
ROOT CELLAR

54. All crops loaded
by variety on
separate pallet
or section of
pallets
Stored
Unwashed
ROOT CELLAR

55. Root cellar is
used all winter for
crates ready for
market
Enables us to shut
off the small
cooler & use it for
other type
storage space
ROOT CELLAR

56. •
•
• Crates sizes and colors vary for
different types of produce, rejects, etc
• Can be labeled with EXPO pen
Water tank in
corner from
washing station
Filters dirt out
Silver tarp over
potatoes if
necessary to
prevent green
ROOT CELLAR

57. Original cooling
system:
• Double
thermostats with
fan exchanging
cooler outside
air with warmer
inside air
• Window open
and closed
ROOT CELLAR

58. Window for cold
air system okay
for late fall and
winter, not early
fall and late
spring when
temp outside not
cold enough
ROOT CELLAR

61. • Capacity is about
24 pallets with 18”
walkway
• Approximately 1
ton per pallet
when stacked to
ceiling
• Total = 24 tons
• Value of produce
stored: $85,000

62. Need to spray water
over bags
periodically all
winter to keep
humidity 95%+
The more the
compressor runs, the
more water needed
Plan for misting
system around
ceiling perimeter
ROOT CELLAR HUMIDITY CONTROL

63. WEATHER STATION
SOLAR TEMP HUMIDITY WIND RAIN

64. REMOTE
SENSORS
• TRANSMIT
BACK TO
THE HOUSE
• ALARMS

65. WEATHER STATION
Wireless
4 Stations
Computer
Davis Vantage
Pro II
• Repeater
•
•
•
•
Scientific Sales, Inc.

66. Store fruits in different
facility
Ethylene gas causes
maturity and bitterness
Keep Root Cellar
Clean and Tidy
Rotting produce also
causes maturing
KEEPING QUALITY

67. WHAT WE STORE

68. WHAT WE STORE

69. WHAT WE STORE

70. • ROOT CELLARING & STORAGE OF
PRODUCE IS AN INEXPENSIVE WAY
TO INCREASE SALES
• BENEFITS YEAR-ROUND
MARKETING/INCOME
• SEPARATE STORAGE FACILITIES
IMPORTANT
• MONITOR STORING CONDITIONS
• CURE PROPERLY FOR QUALITY
• KEEP CUSTOMERS HAPPY
SUMMARY

71. Season Extension with Rowcovers and
Fieldhouses (Low Tunnels)
Paul & Sandy Arnold

72. • STAY ON THE FARM
• LEVEL OUT THE INCOME
• CUSTOMER IMPACTS
• YEAR-ROUND WORKERS

73. SEASON EXTENSION
• Row Covers
• Field Houses
Makes crops
available yearround, more
valuable, easy to
grow & economic
APRIL 10TH

74. ROWCOVERS
• Brands
• Types
• Size

75. ROWCOVER TO GIVE VALUE AT
BOTH ENDS OF THE SEASON
COVER RHUBARB IN EARLY MARCH

76. Rhubarb will then start yielding
May 1st
30ftx27ft …about $125,000/acre

77. POTATOES PLANTED & COVERED IN
APRIL PRODUCE IN MID-JUNE

78. Heritage Raspberries
Mow in March
Hoop and Rowcover
Ready in
August
Fully harvest
by hard freeze
FALL RASPBERRIES

79. Hooped Rowcover in November
Multiple Layers

80. Protects from the wind and snow
In dormancy for winter markets

81. EXTEND THE SEASON!

82. EXTREME PROTECTION!

83. STORAGE FOR LONGEVITY
• Rescued!
• Dried Out on Radiant heated
benches

84. • Rolled up in balls
• Labeled A, B or C
• Stored in Attic

85. 1992—THE START OF FIELDHOUSES
=Low Tunnel, Hoop House, Caterpillar

86. FIELDHOUSES
• Low Tech
• Inexpensive
• Temporary
• Built on Field
• Quick Set-Up
• Profit Centers
• Good for
Rotations
• Long Lasting

87. CONSTRUCTION OF FIELD HOUSES

88. • Scrap fencing posts 1 ¼ “ galv steel 18-24”
• Pounded in 4’ apart with board &
Sledgehammer– Alternative is rebar
• Slip 1” PVC pipes in about 6-8”

89. Duct tape ridge pipe down center

90. Duct tape support
braces on both ends

91. Dig trench one or both
sides—keep shallow

92. Pound in 4 pointed wooden stakes
Attach Pre-made end with 3” screws

93. Pull plastic tight
Lathe & secure with screws

94. Pull plastic tight
and fill in trenches
Rig venting with
ropes if necessary

95. Plastic PVC Piped Fieldhouse
Finished! 2 men 4 hours
Cost in 1993 was $600

96. Metal Hooped Fieldhouse
for Snow Load

97. PIPE BENDING ON HOMEMADE JIG

98. MAKING GOTHIC PEAK WITH PIPE BENDER

99. 20’ tunnel used for chickens
also but same design

100. Side Rail makes them sturdy
but time consuming to build

101. Cost in 1993 was $800!
www.newfarm.org/features/0503/arnoldsbuild.shtml

102. • Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Peppers
• Beets
• Swiss Chard
• Radishes
• Basil
• **ONIONS
GROWING IN FIELDHOUSES

103. TOMATOES— 4” SOIL BLOCKS

104. INTERCROPPING

105. INTERCROPPING SPINACH & RADISHES
MAKE THE MOST PER SQUARE FOOT

106. Home-made popper
GROWING LETTUCE IN FIELDHOUSES

108. MAKING SPEEDLING TRAYS LAST

109. •Seeded in greenhouse late February
•Planted into field-houses
starting in late March
•8” apart in row
•12” between rows

110. LETTUCE
•Plant 600 heads
each week for 3
consecutive weeks
•1800 Heads of
Lettuce
•Value of about
$4500 at $2.50 per
head
•Extrapolates to over
$145,000 per Acre!

111. SPINACH #1 IN FIELDHOUSES

112. Spinach planted 6” apart, Rows 12” apart
Yields about 1150 row feet in one fieldhouse

113. Updated Irrigation:
•Simple to install
•Inexpensive &
Timesaver
•Quick Disconnects

114. VALUE IS OVER
$150,000 gross per
acre with more than
$4700 worth picked
in a 4-5 week period
in May-June
Spinach
• We pick large leaves only
•Average $30 worth every
10 minutes
•Sell at $9 per pound
summer/$12 winter

115. SOYBEAN MEAL OR
PEANUT MEAL IS
SPREAD AND PUSHHOED IN 2 WEEKS
AFTER PLANTING FOR
A NITROGEN SOURCE
FOR LETTUCE AND
SPINACH AND OTHER
CROPS IF NEEDED

116. Do plantings
weekly outside
when warmer
to have
continual supply

117. PEPPERS
Transplanted
From 1 ½”
Soil blocks
Or 4” Soil
blocks

118. MISTAKES MADE!
•Jingle Bell Variety
•Started in Greenhouse
about March 1st
•Potted up to 4”
soil blocks
•Planted out into
fieldhouse May 1st
into straw
•Problems, but…

119. •Not being in a
fieldhouseValue=$48,000 per
acre gross
•Season extended in a
fieldhouseValue=$64,000 per
acre

120. WINTER PRODUCTION
Seed in Greenhouse Sept 1
Transplant out Oct 1
Fieldhouse Built over it Nov 1
We Pick Only Leaves All Winter
WINTER USE

121. Great for
startup
Great for
spring &
fall
Stockpile
for Winter
ROWCOVER & HARVEST

122. FIRST TRIAL WINTER-WHAT NOT TO GROW!

125. BRIDGER ONIONS-SEEDED AUGUST 15TH
DEC 6TH-PLANTING
DEC 10TH-HOOPS OVER

126. LOTS OF SNOW!

127. FORUM BOLTING IN LATE MAY BUT…

128. FORUM IN HIGH TUNNEL-LARGEST

129. 2011-12: FORUM & BRIDGER IN 14X100’ FIELD
HOUSE FOR TRIALS-PLANTED IN DEC

130. MAY: TAKE OFF PLASTIC—START HARVEST
JUNE 1—STORED TILL DEC+
2012-13 PLANTED UNDER ROWCOVER ONLY

131. Caterpillar
design
Semi-permanent
Screw Anchors
Landscape
Fabric
ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS

132. 1 ¼” PVC punched into
ground
Tie and Stake ends
Tension of Strings allows
Venting

133. SUMMARY
• CUSTOMER DRIVEN
• HELPS BOTTOM LINE
• ROWCOVERS INVALUABLE
• FIELDHOUSE - INEXPENSIVE STARTUP
• FAST PAYBACK
• FIELDHOUSE ROTATION
• EASY MAINTENANCE

134. NO BETTER WAY OF LIFE: RAISING FOOD YEAR-ROUND
WITH SEASON EXTENSION WHILE RAISING CHILDREN ON
THE GREATEST PLACE ON GOD’S EARTH:
A FARM!!

135. THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT
2014 SEASON!
Hawaii 2006
Alaska, Glacier 2011