What’s up with those arches at the San Luis Ranch development? Here’s the answer
If you’ve driven by the San Luis Ranch development in San Luis Obispo recently, you might have noticed a strange new addition — what looks like hundreds of arches popping up all across the farmland adjacent to the new construction.
So what’s going on?
Jacob Grossman, operations manager for SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace, said the arches are actually what is known as hoop houses, and they’re meant to help sustainably grow the blueberries currently being planted on the property.
Grossman said Central Coast Organic Berries is planting roughly 30 acres of organic blueberries that will ultimately be sold wholesale. The berries will also “be featured in our SLO Ranch Gourmet Market in the commercial center,” Grossman said.
The hoop houses help to decrease water usage and increase the length of the growing season, he said.
Grossman added that once the development is fully built out, there are plans to offer “interactive farming activities for the local community on the north side of the fields.” That will include U-pick berries, community garden plots, seasonal vegetables, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and more.
Meanwhile, construction is ongoing at the rest of the San Luis Ranch mixed-use project that has slowly been taking shape across 131 acres off Madonna Road.
Construction is underway on a planned four-story hotel at the property, as well as SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace, where a number of different vendors are preparing to open new spots.
Work has also continued on building the housing neighborhoods throughout development, and development on the penultimate phase of single-family homes is underway.
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