How do high tunnels benefit specialty crops?

High tunnels offer significant benefits to specialty crops, primarily by extending the growing season and providing protection from harsh weather conditions. This structure, which is typically unheated and covered with plastic, creates a microclimate that warms the air and soil inside. As a result, crops can be planted earlier in the spring and harvested later in the fall compared to open-field production.

Additionally, high tunnels shield plants from adverse weather elements like heavy rain, strong winds, and frost, which can damage crops and reduce yields. This protective environment allows farmers to cultivate specialty crops with better consistency and reliability, thereby enhancing profitability.

While heating and storage might seem like possible advantages, those functionalities are not primary roles of high tunnels. High tunnels do not intrinsically provide heating in the way a greenhouse might. Instead, their main contribution lies in microclimate management, making the correct answer focused on season extension and weather protection. Moreover, while high tunnels can help reduce some irrigation needs due to reduced evaporation rates, they do not eliminate the requirement for water altogether.