The Beginnings of a Poly Tunnel

A few weeks ago I started to build the poly tunnel I have been think about since last spring. It was revised many times in my head up to this point so it is nice that it is coming into reality. I am making it out of 2x4 cedar for the base and 2x2x48 cedar balusters for the upper frame. My plan is to permanently attach the plastic to both ends and then attach the top piece with velcro. The velcro will make for easy access and will help with wind resistance. The plan is to have the one side of the velcro sewn onto the top piece of plastic and the other side of the velcro will be stapled onto the 2x2 frame. The completed poly tunnel will be approx. 36"Wx48"Lx31"H.

In retrospect I wish I made the roof form a peak at the top for better shedding of water and snow. I will however add a support down the center so it should not pool water very much. I guess a certain amount of pooling is inevitable no mater what the design is when working with plastic sheeting.

Now for the good part. After reading about all the hardy vegetables in the "Heirloom Vegetable Gardening" book, I have been searching for a good mix of things to grow this fall & winter in the coldframe & poly tunnel. Here is a list of what I am planning on growing and a short description of what they are:

• Arugula - narrow leafed green with a peppery taste.
  
• Corn Salad (Mache) - mild tasting leaves on plants that form a small rosette. can reportedly be harvest year round in my zone
• Endive - forms a large frilly head, slight bitter taste
• Chicory 'Sugarloaf' - produces a head of lettuce similar looking to romaine, mild taste that is sweetened by the cold
• Radicchio - another head lettuce with a bitter taste. Used sparingly in salads or slightly grilled to sweeten
• Mizuna - asian green with very finely cut foliage, vigorous grower.
  
• Tatsoi - asian green the forms a flat rosette of drumstick shaped leaves, hardy.
  
• Bok Choy - asian green that forms a vase shaped rosette. it has thick, crunchy stems and leaves that are treated like spinach.
  
• Kale - any low growing kale will overwinter as a fall crop with protection. i am going to try 'Vates'.
• Swiss Chard - a thicken stemmed green that can be harvest up to December. the stem can be eaten like celery.
• Spinach - a hardy green that can be harvest most of the winter with protection.
  
• China Rosa Radish - very hardy radish that will only grow bulbous roots in the fall. tapered like a carrot with rose coloured skin and white interior
• Long Black Spanish Radish - also grown as a fall radish, produces tapered roots with black skin and white interior. can be dug in late fall and stored all winter, will stay rock hard until April.
• Red Celery - a bit of a contradiction as I said I was not going to grow celery. this one is very hardy and produces red & green stems that are good for cooking. will be useful in the cold months for stocks & stews.
• Tonda di Parigi Carrot - a very short carrot that is well suited for growing in a cold frame or poly tunnel.
• Potato Onions (multiplying onion) - these are extremely hardy onions that multiply into bulbs a little bigger then a shallot. you can harvest green onions for most of the winter and harvest bulbs when they develop. i first saw these onions on Oklahomegrownveg Blog
  

As you can see there are many unknown or otherwise under utilized veggies to extend your season. I will be giving many of them a try this year and will start planting in August for fall/winter harvest. Almost all these varieties can be purchased for a little over a dollar at Baker Creek Seeds, Sand Hill Preservation Center & Territorial Seed for the red celery