University Sustainability Initiatives
Greenhouse Workshop Co-sponsored by MUM and ISU
A free high tunnel/low heat greenhouse workshop was held at the MUM Organic Farms greenhouse.
The main presenters were Linda Naeve, Iowa State University (ISU) and Steve McLaskey, Maharishi University of Management. The workshop was sponsored by MUM, ISU, and the Leopold Center.
Linda spoke about her experience with high tunnel site selection, types, and construction.
Steve spoke about his research project funded by a Leopold Center grant to test the feasibility of growing vegetables in a large unheated greenhouse in the winter in Iowa. He is comparing growth and yield of several vegetables in the unheated one acre greenhouse with an unheated 30 foot by 96 foot unheated hoop house greenhouse, and a 30 by 96 foot greenhouse heated just enough to keep it from freezing. In each of the unheated greenhouses he is comparing the following row cover treatments:
- Beds continuously covered with poly
- Beds covered with poly at night and uncovered during the day
- Beds continuously covered with row cover fabric
- Beds covered with row cover at night and uncovered during the day
- Uncovered beds
- In the one acre greenhouse he also has beds covered with a heavier fabric at night and uncovered during the day
At the field day Steve presented the results from this winter. This includes minimum and maximum air and soil temperatures in all treatments, yield of 3 crops in each treatment, and observations on crop growth, crop damage from cold, and performance of different varieties of vegetables in an unheated greenhouse. He also shared what he has learned about labor requirements and techniques for removing and replacing row covers in a one acre greenhouse.
Any questions can be directed to Steve McLaskey, Director, M.U.M. Organic Farm Greenhouse: 641-472-3233 or Office: 641-472-7000 x3307.
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