They look a lot like a greenhouse, except they're filled with fruits and vegetables instead of flowers. They're called high tunnels, and in the last five years, they've grown in popularity in Saskatchewan.
"We're always dealing with the fact that our summer is too short and too cold," said Doug Waterer, a professor in the Plant Sciences department at the University of Saskatchewan. "That’s what tunnels are for, to help grow crops consistently.”
High tunnels are made up of a thick plastic cover over a metal frame that simulates a greenhouse environment. Fruits and vegetables can grow in the ground or on plastic trays. One of the biggest benefits - the tunnel keeps out snow, an obvious problem for producers this year.
"That means you swing into spring basically dry, and that gives you a tremendous head start on getting out, getting planted and getting going. That'll be an interesting test this year,” Waterer said.
One of the reasons high tunnels are becoming popular is because more and more producers are choosing to grow vegetables.
"You're seeing a major trend change in Saskatchewan," said Bryan Kosteroski, who works with the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan. "Yes, vegetables are a viable option. Yes, vegetables are wanted by retailers, and consumers are wanting to buy Saskatchewan vegetables.”
There are several types of vegetables which can thrive with high tunnel growing - peppers, tomatoes and lettuce top the list, due to their high yield potential and value per unit.
