Green Practices

Conservation Easement Donated

The Dwyer Family donated 80 acres to the Aspen Valley Land Trust in 2005. This donation preserves the property in perpetuity for wildlife habitat and its extraordinary scenic values. The Dwyer's sacrificed the value of potential development for conservation. The Dwyer's and their donation were included in the recently published book "Our Place".

New Sustainable Practices

BIODEGRADABLE POTS & RECYCLING

We have been recycling pots since 1998. We sterilize all recycled pots with Zero-Tol, which is hydrogen dioxide. This product is listed as approved for Organic operations. We encourage all customers and clients to save plastic pots and return them to the nursery for recycling. We accept undamaged pots and trays from the general public, as well.

In 2009 we will be testing several new biodegradable pots, made with coconut fiber and recycled wood products. The Elle pots we used last year were terrific for growing but very difficult to install. Once the roots grew out of the pots, they tended to stick onto the surrounding trays.

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND PEST CONTROL .

In 2008 we began experimenting with some new organic fertilizers. In the past we had problems with organic fertilizers. They tended to clog our injectors (these provide fertilize to our crops through our hose and irrigation systems) In addition, we had difficulty producing high quality potted plants. During the spring, we often water several times every day and fertilizers are leached out of pots. Organic fertilizers available 10 years ago were well suited to crops grown in the ground, rather than in pots. Over the past few years, new organic fertilizers have been marketed, which appear to produce quality potted plants at competitive prices.

REVEGETATION BY HYDRO SEEDING

In November, 2008, we had over 60,000 square feet hydro seeded to facilitate weed control on disturbed ground. Hydro seeding is a planting process which uses a slurry of seed and mulch, sprayed over prepared ground in a uniform layer. It promotes quick germination, inhibits soil erosion and weeds. The wood fibers and binding agents in the slurry attach themselves to the prepared area and lock the seed and fiber into a network that retains moisture, sustains grass seedlings during dry-spells and acts as a deflector of wind, rain and pests.

Allgreen Environmental Inc. is an erosion control company specializing in Hydromulch applications for both dry land and irrigated projects. We use site specific blends of fertilizers, humates, seed mixes, polymers and tachifiers. Soil testing and basic analysis is standard. We operate primarily in the four corners region of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
Contact: Jessica Baker - Carbondale, CO 81623 - Ph: (970) 309-5245 - Fx: (970) 704-9930

ADDITIONAL SOLAR PANELS PROVIDE HEAT

In 2007, we installed 9 solar thermal panels onto the roof of the warehouse. These panels heat a large tank of water in our new "solar room". From this tank, the water circulates through the new concrete floor, providing radiant heat to our work space. Another loop in this system was installed to fin tubing, which was placed under the gutters in the greenhouse to help melt the snow and ice. The third loop runs under some of our benches to provide bottom heat to plants. This system decreases our dependence upon propane and furthers reduces our carbon footprint.

SOLAR PHOTO VOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM INSTALLED IN 2006 PROVIDES ELECTRICITY FOR THE NURSERY & GREENHOUSES

There are two arrays (like the one shown here), totaling nearly 9,000 watts. Electricity produced in excess of what we use goes into the Holy Cross Electric Association grid. During these times, our electric meter spins backwards!

Contact information
Lynn Dwyer - (970) 984-0967
lynndwyer@gmail.com
4730 County Rd 335, New Castle, CO 81647

Dwyer Greens & Flowers, Inc
Copyright © 2010 Dwyer Greens.
All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/26/10.