High Tunnel, Early Spring Production of Five Varieties of Tomato Using Three Different Trellising Systems

The high demand of fresh tomatoes and value added tomato products has made early production of tomatoes in high tunnels a popular practice by Delaware small farmers. Five varieties of tomatoes were started during the spring of 2012 and 2013  in a 24 by 48 foot high tunnel using different trellising systems as follows; determinate variety ‘Organic King’ were caged;  indeterminate varieties Mountain Fresh’, ‘Better Boy’, ‘Early Goliath’ and ‘Prudence Purple’ were either trellised using Florida weave, or staked. Tomatoes were transplanted into back plastic-covered raised beds at a spacing of 2ft between plants. Plants were drip irrigated and fertigated using fish emulsion. Soil nutrient status was evaluated before and after production period and air temperatures in the high tunnel tracked. Tomato fruit yields from six harvests over a period of nine weeks were quantified by counting and weighing mature tomatoes ready for fresh market. The ‘Organic King’ produced the most highly marketable tomatoes, with the longest shelf life. The ‘Prudence Purple’ variety grew very large and tall and had high yields. Trellising using Florida weave was less time consuming than staking for indeterminates, while caging required a larger spacing between plants, than was provided. There was a difference in tomato yields between the two years of production.