Big Beef Tunnel Grow a Few years Back - Page 2

Cole_Robbie · March 12, 2015

I haven't tried Skyway. I don't have nematodes, so that part of the breeding would be a waste on me.

Thanks, barefoot. I'll probably always have some Big Beef, because I sell plants of it in the spring. It is a variety that I think every home gardener should at least try. But as far as market growing goes, we are trying to move more toward multiple plantings of determinate varieties. Big Beef produces all year, but towards the end of the year, the fruit get smaller and more bug-bitten.

Hellmanns · March 12, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

4k lbs wow! Mine is only 12x24 as I am a backyard grower and didn't have that much area to use for a high tunnel. Do you grow without the tunnels? If so what would you say the % difference in production is from the tunnel to the field? I have considered covering all my tomatoes so I can better control their moisture levels. We have been getting so much rain the past few years its really hard to stop cracking/splitting. I laid out my beds in a way so I could later add high tunnels rather easily but wonder if the investment would be worth it and if it is less or more labor?

And very nice Cole, you guys seem to be at the place I'm trying to get to as a grower.

I do grow a few determinates and a bicolor in the open field. As far as production differences, The tunnel has always been higher by prolly 25-30%. The only reason is a longer harvest window in the tunnel(less foliardiseases)though size drops dramatically later in the season because I don't continue to prune once harvest starts.

If I ever quit market gardening, I will most likely grow my entire garden under the cover of a tunnel.

Hellmanns · March 12, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefootgardener

Very nice tunnel and tomato plants! Are you continuing to grow Big Beef in your prefab?

Ginny

Yes. I grew Big Beef the first year it was released in the open field and liked it. The next year it went into a tunnel and has been my tunnel variety since. For a few years, I would try different varieties just to compare them to Big Beef, but I haven't found a variety yet that has the size, quality, or production it does in my tunnels!

I actually don't grow them open field anymore, though I love the variety I think they shine brightest in the tunnel.

spereira · March 14, 2015

Question for the market tunnel growers..do you plant tomatoes year after year?

Or do you have more than one tunnel and rotate crops?

Cole_Robbie · March 15, 2015

I have not yet rotated crops. I don't have nematodes or other soil disease problems, so far so good.

March 14, 2015	#19
spereira Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: northern MN Posts: 26	rotation? Question for the market tunnel growers..do you plant tomatoes year after year? Or do you have more than one tunnel and rotate crops?

March 12, 2015	#16
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I haven't tried Skyway. I don't have nematodes, so that part of the breeding would be a waste on me. Thanks, barefoot. I'll probably always have some Big Beef, because I sell plants of it in the spring. It is a variety that I think every home gardener should at least try. But as far as market growing goes, we are trying to move more toward multiple plantings of determinate varieties. Big Beef produces all year, but towards the end of the year, the fruit get smaller and more bug-bitten.

March 15, 2015	#20
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I have not yet rotated crops. I don't have nematodes or other soil disease problems, so far so good.