Dicla Horticulture
From greenhouse tunnels to irrigation items, and everything in between, we can assist!
For more information, or to get a quote, feel free to contact one of our sales people:
Counter sales, fittings and plastic: Soekie Smit
Tel: 011 662 1371 | Email: sales@dicla.com
Tunnels and Shadenet Structures: Rudolph Palmer
Cell: 079 894 8839 | Email: rudolph@dicla.com
Horticulture Controller, Orders and Sales: Dirk Tijssen
Cell: 071 400 3048 | Email: dirk@dicla.com
For more information, or to get a quote, feel free to contact one of our sales people:
Counter sales, fittings and plastic: Soekie Smit
Tel: 011 662 1371 | Email: sales@dicla.com
Tunnels and Shadenet Structures: Rudolph Palmer
Cell: 079 894 8839 | Email: rudolph@dicla.com
Horticulture Controller, Orders and Sales: Dirk Tijssen
Cell: 071 400 3048 | Email: dirk@dicla.com
Products and Services
Dicla Greenhouse Tunnels
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Dicla Shadenet Structures
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Seedlings
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Irrigation
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Plastic and Shadenet
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Tools of the trade
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Background on tunnel farming
A farming tunnel is a structure, usually semi-circular, square or elongated, made of steel pipes and covered in polyethylene plastic in which crops can be grown, either directly in the soil or in containers with a soil-less growing medium (also known as hydroponics). The interior of the tunnel heats up because incoming solar radiation from the sun warms the soil, plants and structures in the tunnel faster than heat can escape the structure. Tunnels thus provide a higher temperature and/or humidity than that which is naturally found in the environment. Various crops can be grown successfully in tunnels such as tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, strawberries and even flowers.
Why choose tunnel farming
Compared to open field farming, tunnel farming has any advantages and benefits. Listed below some of the main factors.
Climate Control
Because tunnels are covered in plastic, they provide a controlled growing environment or climate. The main concept of growing under climate control is to create optimal growing conditions by controlling temperature (through ventilation, heating and cooling systems), humidity (through irrigation) and light (through plastic coverage). Tunnels also provide protection against the elements and extreme weather, like frost, heat, wind and hail.
Because tunnels are covered in plastic, they provide a controlled growing environment or climate. The main concept of growing under climate control is to create optimal growing conditions by controlling temperature (through ventilation, heating and cooling systems), humidity (through irrigation) and light (through plastic coverage). Tunnels also provide protection against the elements and extreme weather, like frost, heat, wind and hail.
Increased Crop Yield
A greater number of plants can be planted in a tunnel than on open land, because of factors such as space needed for tractors, harvesters etc. This means that even small spaces can be utilized for tunnel farming. Additionally to this, the protected environment created by the tunnel a higher yield can be produced.
A greater number of plants can be planted in a tunnel than on open land, because of factors such as space needed for tractors, harvesters etc. This means that even small spaces can be utilized for tunnel farming. Additionally to this, the protected environment created by the tunnel a higher yield can be produced.
Saves Water
Irrigation in the tunnels can be strictly controlled and applied only when and where it is needed, resulting in a lot less water wastage. This in turn means a financial saving for the farmer and also increases the sustainability of the crop. Because South Africa often experiences serious drought, farmers are at great risk of losing their entire crop. Farming in a tunnel means being able to control irrigation even in times of drought, and can be the difference between crop failure and success.
Irrigation in the tunnels can be strictly controlled and applied only when and where it is needed, resulting in a lot less water wastage. This in turn means a financial saving for the farmer and also increases the sustainability of the crop. Because South Africa often experiences serious drought, farmers are at great risk of losing their entire crop. Farming in a tunnel means being able to control irrigation even in times of drought, and can be the difference between crop failure and success.
Protects against Pests and Diseases
The controlled environment of a tunnel provides protection against many natural pests such as birds and insects. Diseases and fungus are are also minimized by controlling moisture levels in the tunnel and by spraying certain pesticides (herbicide, fungicide and insecticide). This will be discussed in detail in the "spraying" section. Registered members on our website get free access to more information and details about spraying programs. Click here to register as a member.
The controlled environment of a tunnel provides protection against many natural pests such as birds and insects. Diseases and fungus are are also minimized by controlling moisture levels in the tunnel and by spraying certain pesticides (herbicide, fungicide and insecticide). This will be discussed in detail in the "spraying" section. Registered members on our website get free access to more information and details about spraying programs. Click here to register as a member.
Extends Growing Season
Perhaps one of the most important advantages of tunnel farming is that cops can be grown out of season. For example in some parts of the country tomatoes can only be grown in the warmer months. By planting in tunnels, extreme temperatures can be controlled. A farmer can thus plant tomatoes all year round, or at least for the largest part of the year. Being able to provide produce to the markets out of season means getting higher prices.
Perhaps one of the most important advantages of tunnel farming is that cops can be grown out of season. For example in some parts of the country tomatoes can only be grown in the warmer months. By planting in tunnels, extreme temperatures can be controlled. A farmer can thus plant tomatoes all year round, or at least for the largest part of the year. Being able to provide produce to the markets out of season means getting higher prices.
Substrate Quality
The substrate is the substance from which an organism (or plant) obtains its nourishment. In the case of tunnel farming, the substrate can either be the soil or some soil-less medium such as pine sawdust. The quality of the substrate can be controlled be fertilization, which can increase plant growth and productivity.
The substrate is the substance from which an organism (or plant) obtains its nourishment. In the case of tunnel farming, the substrate can either be the soil or some soil-less medium such as pine sawdust. The quality of the substrate can be controlled be fertilization, which can increase plant growth and productivity.
Saves cost on Fertilizers
As with water, fertilizers, can be better controlled in a setup. The fertilizer is mixed into the irrigation system allowing greater accuracy in dosage and distribution.
As with water, fertilizers, can be better controlled in a setup. The fertilizer is mixed into the irrigation system allowing greater accuracy in dosage and distribution.
In short, the combined benefits of these factors is ultimately healthier plants, higher productivity and better crop quality. By being able to control some of the risk factors associated with farming, tunnel farming can be more financially viable than other conventional methods, if managed properly.
The Outgrower Program
Dicla, in partnership with Pinocchio's Farm has developed a program to assist young, upcoming farmers to find their feet.
Click here for more
Click here for more
