I have an NRCS high tunnel grant in the works and wanted to brainstorm ideas to make it either year round or shift my zone by 2 (or perhaps 3). I live in northern utah, high desert. Plenty of sunny days so overheating in the summer could be an issue. I do not have power at the location. This is my current plan:
30’x48’ gothic high tunnel. 18’ peak.
Ridge vents and end wall vents
Roll up side on the south wall
26 275 gallon totes stacked 2 high along the north wall, painted black
2” xps foam insulation slid between the frame and the poly on the north wall just in the winter (https://youtu.be/oXknms8kDP0?si=AL2WTkMLQNqpZdQn)
A foam skirt of insulation around the outside of the tunnel. Either dig a 4’ trench then slide them into or lay out flat on the ground.
I’m still trying to noodle out how to incorporate a thermal blanket on the inside of the structure (avoid snow covering the blanket). I would prefer to not have to build a whole new tunnel on the inside like the chinese greenhouse but I haven’t figured out a good option yet.
Thoughts?
