Specialty Crop

High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are used to protect crops grown for food or flowers, and significantly extend the growing season in challenging climates like Wyoming’s. High tunnels are passive structures, and an economical option for individuals who cannot afford to build or operate a greenhouse. There are many styles and sizes of high tunnels available: gothic, traditional hoop, and modified-traditional hoops. Many high tunnel designs are available as pre-engineered kits, and can be purchased from a variety of companies.

The information presented in this UW Extension bulletin is meant as a guide for do-it- yourselfers who want to build their own economical alternative from (mostly) locally available materials. The hard-sided high tunnel is a modified traditional hoop style constructed on top of wooden rails (hard-side). This modification increases the overall farmable square footage by 25% over the 12ʹ × 32ʹ traditional hoop.