Medicinal Plants

and Tunnel Farming

Lecture

By

Mr. Allah Dad Khan

What Are High Tunnels?

High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are relatively

simple polyethylene-covered unheated structures that

typically do not use fans for ventilation. They can be

covered with one or two sheets of plastic; those covered

with two have an air layer in between, thus offering better

insulation, and consequently, more cold protection.

High Tunnel

Season extension techniques, such as high tunnels, can

allow producers to extend the time period over which cash

flows are generated from produce crops. High tunnel

production of leafy greens and herbs can also enable

producers to market products at higher prices, before the

start of a traditional local season. High tunnel leafy greens

and herbs are typically added by producers already selling

through direct market channels; especially farmers

markets, CSAs (community supported agriculture), local

restaurants, and groceries.

High Tunnel

High tunnels can provide the protective environment necessary for growing greens throughout the winter months. Tunnels do not have a permanent heating system, but instead are passively solar-heated. Nighttime low temperatures within a structure covered with two layers of plastic (with an insulating layer of air in between) generally average about 7º F to 8º F warmer than outside temperatures. Structures covered with just a single layer of plastic often realize only a 3º F increase in nighttime lows. Row covers used in conjunction with the high tunnel will provide further cold and frost protection. Because row covers also block sunlight, they should not be left on for prolonged periods during the winter. Placing the row covers over hoops will help to keep tender leaves from freezing to the fabric. As an alternative, a portable heater can be used when unexpected drops in temperature occur.

High Tunnel

However, due to rising energy costs, the use of heaters should generally be limited to short durations. Often these extra precautions against cold are not necessary as many greens will recover from an overnight freeze and continue to grow with warming temperatures the following day. Opening the sidewalls is imperative for good air circulation and temperature control, even in winter. During sunny days, temperatures in the tunnels can be 30º F to 40º F higher than outside temperatures, necessitating that the tunnels be adequately vented. Lacking the automated ventilation system of more elaborate greenhouses, high tunnels are ventilated by manually rolling up the sidewalls in the morning and closing them at night. Orienting the houses perpendicular to the prevailing wind on the farm will help facilitate air movement

1.Basil – Ocimum basilicum

1. Basil. Basil tops the list

as the most popular

culinary herb. Basil is a very

tender plant and should be

kept indoors until there is

no danger of frost. Growing

basil starts in plug trays can

work great for basil. Expect

to be selling lots of these,

so keep the fresh plants

coming

2.Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

3.Aloe Vera

The aloe vera grows only

under the sun with well

drained dry or moist soil.

Although the plant tastes

like turd, it’s still edible.

The sap from aloe vera is

extremely useful to speed

up the healing and reducing

the risk of infections for :

4. Chives.

Standard chives are a

steady seller. These will

start to germinate after a

week or so. And unlike

basil, these can actually do

quite well in cooler

weather.

5.Cilantro.

Cilantro is another popular

culinary herb. In addition to

its cooking values, it also

has many other ones. It is

particularly good for

digestion and other

medicinal values. Expect to

sell lots of this at the

Saturday farmer’s market.

6.Oregano.

Oregano is one of the most

popular herbs that you’ll

find in Italian cooking.

Unforgettable taste and

aroma give this herb its

main appeal. Oregano is a

commonly used garnish for

stews, soups, and gravies.

7.Parsley – Petroselinum

crispum

Parsley is so popular it

even has historical

significance. The ancient

Greeks used it at the

athletic games, weaving it

into victory crowns. They

also fed it to their horses to

make them run faster.

8. Catnip.

Catnip is commonly used

for cats, but can also be a

soothing sedative for

humans. It has been known

to provide pain and stress

relief and to also help with

flu and cold symptoms.

9.Stevia – Stevia Rebaudiana

Stevia is largely used as a

sugar substitute. Stevia

cultivation in India is

profitable. It has medicinal

values and also used in

the cosmetics industry.

10. Chamomile.

Chamomile can make for a

nice, soothing tea. It also

has medicinal values, such

as a digestive, sleep, and

calming aid. Plus it’s very

easy to grow!

11.Lavender – Lavandula

Lavender has so many uses

it’s been called the “Swiss

army knife” of herbs. The

medicinal values include

usefulness for skin care,

women and children’s

health, pain relief and

nervous system conditions.

The essential oil that is

found in lavender is one of

the top ten in the fragrance

industry

12. Marsh mallow.

This herb has many

medicinal values, such as

being good for coughs and

bronchitis, the digestive

tract, and several skin

conditions.

13.Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most

popular herbs in the entire

world. It has many

medicinal uses, such as

lowering cholesterol,

strengthening the nervous

system, lowering blood

pressure, increasing blood

circulation to the brain and

many, many more.

14.Foxglove

Foxglove's low-growing foliage

is topped by 2- to 5-foot-tall

flower spikes, depending on the

variety. Flower colors include

pink, red, purple, white, and

yellow. Foxgloves are biennials

or short-lived perennials.

However, although individual

plants may be short-lived,

foxglove readily self-sows and

multiplies. Foxglove leaves

contain digitalis, a potent heart

medicine, and are considered

poisonous.

15.Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon

Lemon grass is a perennial

plant. Lemon grass is one of

the commercially cultivated

crop in India in a wide

range. Apart from medicinal

value, the major use in

perfumery, cosmetics,

soaps, detergents and

beverages.