Specialty Crop Development Plan of the Chimney Rock Farm

		Project Leaders: Peter and Inis Reardon, Chimney Rock Farm, Chimney Rock, CO Technical Advisor: David Peebles, CSU Cooperative Extension Service, Delta County Project Year: 2002

Project Summary

The 2002 grant proposal sought a grant of financial assistance from the Grower Research and Education Grants, Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University for the implementation of Phase I (one of three Phases) of the Specialty Crops Development Plant of The Chimney Rock Farm. The objective of Phase I of the plan was the perfection of cultivation methodologies for certain high value, specialty crops applicable to Southwestern Colorado. The plan for this project was to develop cultivation techniques and cropping methodologies that are economically viable for the small grower. The techniques are geared towards conservation of land and water resources and reduction of cultivation costs. The most important goal of this project was to mathematically prove the short-term profitability and long-term viability of high value crop farming in southwestern Colorado. Strawberries, bramble berries, and high-value vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, and green beans were grown. All of these crops were grown by organic standards.

The fields in which the crops were grown were all deep-shank plowed early in the spring. They were then disked and later, harrowed. Five and a half acres of pumpkins were planted. There was excellent germination, good emergence, and good early plant growth. Blossoming and subsequent pollination were delayed due to cool evenings and the prevailing drought. There were early frosts, but most of the damage was mitigated by a newly purchased piece of equipment- a large tractor mounted propane burner. During periods of damaging frosts, the fields were traversed and heated. There was some soft rotting, but it was attributed to over-watering. The pumpkins were the most profitable crop of 2002 for the farm.

Six thousand strawberry plants were planted into black plastic mulch in raised beds. They had drip tape under the mulch for irrigation. The plants thrived and did extremely well. The runners and blossoms were pinched back during this first year. After frost, the strawberries were mulched with wheat straw.

Three thousand raspberry and blackberry canes were planted in the same manner as the strawberries. The canes were hand planted. The plants did very well and produced heavy leafing. There was a small amount of fruit.

Multiple varieties of vegetables were grown this year. All vegetables were raised through micro-irrigation techniques utilizing drip tape. Vegetables were cultivated on raised beds with drip tape, flatbeds with drip tape, and some were cultivated in raised beds with drip tape and covered with black plastic mulch. Of particular significance, the tomatoes, okra, and melons were very successfully grown in this area and were of high quality. All three were sold as fast as they were grown. The melons had yields above average and there was a vibrant market for them, but the crop was wiped out in its entirety due to bear depredation. Squash, zucchini, pickles, and gladiolas were also grown with high yields and great success. The sweet corn that was grown on the farm thrived, while all the corn in the area surrounding the farm was drought distressed and did not produce a marketable product.

The techniques and methodologies that specifically enabled successful production were: 1.) judicious cultivar research and selection, 2.) raised seed beds, 3.) the use of black plastic mulch, 4.) spun polyester floating row covers, and 5.) micro-irrigation through the use of drip tape. If used, these techniques can help any small farmer to grow high value specialty crops and have high yields, while conserving land and water resources and reducing cultivation costs.

Click here for a spreadsheet (a Microsoft Excel file) showing an example of a production forecast for summer squash.

If you would like a copy of the final report, click here to contact the Specialty Crops Program.