From navigating the NRCS EQIP grant process to pounding ground posts, building endwalls, and finally pulling plastic on with a crew of friends, this is a full photo gallery and reflection on building our 26’x72’ Ledgewood high tunnel in Eastern Massachusetts Zone 6B, despite having virtually no construction experience going into the project.

After a winter of polar vortexes, blizzards, and -3°F temperatures, our unheated high tunnel in Eastern Massachusetts Zone 6B came through its first season with surprisingly strong results. This post breaks down exactly what we planted, what survived, which cut flowers thrived in protected winter production, and which crops earned valuable tunnel space for Spring 2027.

After moving our flower farm to heavy Boxford silt loam clay soil in Eastern Massachusetts, we had to rethink everything from bed prep to crop selection. This post breaks down which annual cut flowers actually thrive in dense clay soil, plus practical lessons on soil structure, moisture management, compost, and growing successful flowers in challenging conditions.

It All Begins Here