Rude Becky's Specialty Cut Flower High Tunnel Project

Project Leader: Melissa Betrone, Rude Becky's Flower Farm, Dolores, CO

Technical Advisors:

• Tom Hooten, Agricultural Extension Agent, Cortez, CO
• Greg Vlaming, Agricultural Extension Agent, Durango , CO

Project Year: 2006

Proposal Summary

Rude Becky's Flower Farm's project is to add high tunnels into its existing cut flower production cycle on this farm. They will install a total of three structures, one for production of plant starts and two for in-ground production of harvestable material. The high tunnels will not be heated and instead will rely on retaining infrared radiation generated during the frequent sunny days. Additional layers of synthetic row covers will be used inside the high tunnels to maximize the ability of the growing plants to retain heat during the cold months. From the use of these methods, the growing season will be extended by taking advantage of the natural solar gain.