How to Use Secession Planting to Grow and Sell 20,000 Tulips

This blog is a summary of an episode of the Sunny Mary Meadow Podcast. Listen to it in it's entirety below.

As a flower farmer, I've learned that success doesn't just bloom overnight; it requires meticulous planning and the right tools. One such tool that has transformed my farming practices is the high tunnel. In this blog post, I'll share how high tunnels have revolutionized my tulip farming, particularly in terms of succession planting, and why they're crucial for anyone looking to grow thousands of tulips.

High tunnels have been a game-changer for me, especially when it comes to extending the growing season and maximizing space. With tulips, timing is everything. By using high tunnels, I can start planting earlier in the season, allowing me to stagger my plantings and ensure a continuous harvest throughout the spring. This is crucial for me, as I aim to supply thousands of tulips to my customers.

One of the key benefits of using high tunnels for succession planting is the ability to control the environment. Tulips thrive in cool temperatures, and high tunnels allow me to regulate the temperature inside, ensuring optimal growing conditions. This is particularly important during the early spring months when the weather can be unpredictable. High tunnels provide a protective barrier against frost and other harsh weather conditions, allowing my tulips to flourish.

Another advantage of using high tunnels for succession planting is the ability to extend the blooming season. By planting early and late blooming varieties, I can stagger the blooming times of my tulips, ensuring a continuous supply for my customers. This not only maximizes my profits but also provides my customers with a longer window to enjoy fresh tulips.

Planting tulips in high tunnels also makes it easier to manage the blooming schedule. I can control the temperature inside the tunnels to speed up or slow down the blooming process, ensuring that I have a steady supply of tulips ready for sale. This level of control is crucial when dealing with perishable products like tulips, where timing is everything.

In addition to managing the blooming schedule, high tunnels also make planting and harvesting easier. I plant my tulips in raised beds with powdery dry soil, which makes it easier to plant and harvest them. This not only saves me time but also reduces the risk of damage to the bulbs, ensuring a higher quality product for my customers.

Planning and organization are also key when using high tunnels for succession planting. I have to carefully plan my plantings to ensure a continuous supply of tulips throughout the season. This requires meticulous record-keeping and attention to detail, but the results are well worth it.

In conclusion, high tunnels have revolutionized my tulip farming practices, especially when it comes to succession planting. They have allowed me to extend the growing season, control the blooming schedule, and maximize space, all of which are crucial for growing thousands of tulips. If you're looking to take your tulip farming to the next level, I highly recommend investing in high tunnels. Trust me; you won't regret it!