Episode
Heated High Tunnel Lessons: What I Learned My First Year Growing Flowers in Zone 4B
- Podcast
- Rooted Agritourism
- Published
- Jun 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 786
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://rss.com/podcasts/sunnymarymeadow/2867371
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Summary
Takeaways Heated high tunnels create more control, but they also create new management challenges Crop planning and data tracking made recovering from crop losses much easier Overwintering flowers may be the key to earlier blooms and higher profitability Summary of the Episode This week, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen shares a transparent look at her first year operating a heated high tunnel in Zone 4B Minnesota. From grant funding and installation costs to propane failures and frozen crops, this episode dives deep into what worked, what failed, and what changes are coming next season. If you've considered adding season extension infrastructure to your flower farm or agritourism business, this episode offers practical lessons about costs, crop selection, risk management, and scaling production. Key Topics Covered: Heated vs unheated high tunnels How NRCS grants work for high tunnel funding Hidden costs of greenhouse and tunnel infrastructure Crop losses caused by heating failures Overwintering ranunculus and cool flowers in Zone 4B Planning earlier blooms for Mother's Day sales Scaling flower production strategically Managing inventory and storage for wedding flowers Save $25 on your CoolBot: https://storeitcold.referralrock.com/lv1/6R543BWF/ Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/ Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/ Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/ Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/ Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852