Mark Chien from Penn state university published an interesting article on growing grapes in Haygrove tunnels. According to him this can be very beneficial to people that want to grow grapes in colder climates.
He state the following as some of the advantages on planting vines under plastic cover:
Greater consistency achieving mature fruit
Earlier bud break and fruit ripens sooner than uncovered grapes
Control of vine-water relations, ability to use regulated deficit irrigation
Finer control of nutrition using fertigation
Less disease problems
Less insect problems
Longer and better acclimation period resulting in enhanced cold hardiness
Better spring (and possibly fall) frost protection
If you are interested in the reading the full article, please click on the following link: http://www.wine.co.za/attachments/PDF-View.aspx?PDFID=2914
