High tunnels found effective for finishing cold-tolerant annuals
Monday, December 8, 2014 - 11:30
in Mathematics & Economics
Energy costs account for one of the largest expenses in commercial greenhouse production of annual bedding plants. Naturally, bedding plant producers are searching for more energy-efficient production methods that can reduce fuel usage and increase profits. Christopher Currey, Roberto Lopez, and Neil Mattson published a study in HortTechnology that gives growers in northern latitudes valuable information on finishing practices for annual bedding plants. The researchers compared traditional heated greenhouses with unheated high tunnels for growing 10 popular bedding plants at two USDA Hardiness Zone 5 locations: Ithaca, New York, and Lafayette, Indiana.