The following resources can help you manage the temperature inside high tunnels and other season extension structures to provide an optimal growing environment for crops.

Different types of tomatoes

High Tunnel Temperature Management

Temperature management is one of the most critical factors in successful production of many high tunnel crops. This West Virginia University fact sheet includes recommended temperature ranges for common crops. Download File (152.42 kB)

Kansas State high tunnel video series

Kansas State High Tunnel Video Series

This video series was developed by Kansas State Research and Extension, and includes segments on the following topics related to commercial high tunnel or hoop house production:

Overview | Design | What to Plant | Basic Management Considerations | Intensive Management | Resources

Cover of an article about High Tunnels in Cool Seasons featuring a row of thriving crops in a high tunnel

Managing the Environment in High Tunnels for Cool Season Vegetable Production

Light, temperature, and relative humidity influence how crops grow and develop. With support from SARE, Purdue University Extension developed this publication, which introduces important factors to consider during design, operation, and daily management of high tunnels, and explains plant responses to the environment. Download File (1.16 MB)

download temperature management in high tunnels fact sheet in pdf format

Temperature Management in High Tunnels

Understanding a crop's temperature requirements is the key to high tunnel management. This Utah State University fact sheet spells out temperature considerations and how these are best addressed using high tunnels and other season-extending technologies. Download File (364.57 kB)

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Energy Conservation

download the farmer and rancher innovations reading in PDF format

Developing an Energy Efficient, Solar-Heated Greenhouse in Maryland

This project investigated the effectiveness of energy-efficient greenhouse design and the ability of water-heating solar panels to heat a greenhouse as a propane alternative. Download File (695.90 kB)  

Greenhouse Energy Conservation Strategies and Alternative Fuels

Includes curriculum materials, extension bulletins, resource lists, and a greenhouse energy model that were developed with the intention that educators can use the materials in full or part to deliver programming on energy management and conservation for greenhouse production.

Alternative Energy Strategies

download the farmer and rancher innovations reading in PDF format

Developing an Energy Efficient, Solar-Heated Greenhouse in Maryland

This project investigated the effectiveness of energy-efficient greenhouse design and the ability of water-heating solar panels to heat a greenhouse as a propane alternative. Download File (695.90 kB)

A building with snow around

Thermal Banking Greenhouses

Steven Schwen uses thermal banking to significantly reduce the energy costs of running a greenhouse for cold-season production.

Additional Resources on Temperature Management

The following resources, which were not funded or produced by SARE, contain valuable information.

Building a Passive Solar Greenhouse (a University of Missouri webpage with design specs and other information)

Double-layer Plastic Inflation with No Electricity (a University of Missouri fact sheet)