This post is written from Poland. A country gripped by a ‘proper winter’ having experienced -25oc in January and it is still snowing. Fortunately crops like strawberries are protected by the snow, which accumulated before the lowest temperatures arrived. Even blackberries have benefited from the snow cover where growers have, like Krzysztof Wiesiolek, been prepared for the cold.
Krzysztof Wiesiolek digs down to his blackberry canes under snow over fleece.
For growers who have been able to find an export niche and/or extend the season using tunnels or new varieties Poland is an exciting place to be, despite what are sometimes extreme and unpredictable weather conditions.
Creating a large more stable air volume under tunnels during the summer, without sacrificing earliness, is a challenge. Haygrove’s Marek Jamry is enthusiastic about the high, ‘fixed top leg’ or guttered Greenhouse Series. These have been proven during hot weather. It is also possible to augment the standard design with additional supports as insurance against early snow. Snow, however, remains an important limiting factor so the debate about the most appropriate hoop shape and overall structure will continue. Marek has been consistent in his advice that growers should de-skin when heavy snow is forecast.
In Germany growers have tended to prefer Haygrove Solo tunnels. These are constructed with a gap between each tunnel to facilitate venting and snow removal. The gap also leaves extra space for snow to gather without harming the crop or compressing the side of the tunnels. When vented the Super Solo tunnels provide a surprisingly large, open air space.
Haygrove Solo tunnels, Germany
Haygrove Super Solo tunnels in England. Expecting rain! Sides pulled half down to protect a ripening crop of table top strawberries
