Environmental Issues in
Northern Ontario
GREEN - Greater Renewable
Energy and Ecodesigns Now
J28-BB-CUCUMBERS
Photo by Marg Seregelyi
Tasty vegetables
like cucumbers can be grown here in the north providing fresh produce
for consumers and income for landowners.
But it takes technology, the right
marketing, personal skill and perseverance.
Don Blais, owner of D and M Gardens in
Blezard Valley has been featured before in Northern Life for his
cucumbers and tomatoes. But according to his suppliers from the south,
and Brian Bell of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), this
year he is a pioneer in utilizing effective yet affordable hydroponics
equipment. Hydroponics uses soil-less methods to produce his sweet
tasting English cucumbers.
Hydroponics can overcome the limitations
of traditional agriculture in the north like poor soil, inadequate
water, short growing seasons, cold temperatures at night or inadequate
light. The plants are set in long rock wool cubes derived from volcanic
rock into which is fed water and nutrients essential for good growth.
They can grow up to 30 percent faster.
“Hydroponics is the way to go, that’s the
way they are doing it in southern Ontario, the quality of the vegetables
is right there with hydroponics,” said Blais.
The farmer, located at Regional Rd. 15 in
Blezard Valley, is trying hydroponics for the first time because he was
fed up with the pests, diseases and weeds prevalent with just growing
the plants in the greenhouse soil. Using hydroponics has allowed Blais
to avoid using pesticides or fumigants inside the 4 greenhouses he uses.
“I’ve got close to an acre under plastic
and I’ve got so many bountiful healthy plants it is phenomenal,” said
Blais.
Brian Bell, agricultural expert with OMAF,
says that kind of production is impressive.
“”Hydroponics had been attempted before in the north and the feasibility
of it has been researched, especially here on Manitoulin Island but if
it works for Don Blais, all the power to him,” said Bell.
Local grocery stores are pleased with Blais’s produce.
“One store took two cases of cucumbers
yesterday and today they want three more,” beamed Blais.
He noted that if he utilized a heater he
could get triple the season with the hydroponics equipment vs
conventional greenhouse growing. Plus, he has room for another 4
greenhouses on his 5 acre farm. Blais says he could hire more workers if
he expanded further. But marketing is also the key to success.
The way to market his produce is by
emphasizing quality.
“When you, the consumer go to a
supermarket, the so-called fresh cucumbers you buy are not directly from
the farm. Instead they are routed from the farm somewhere in southern
Ontario to a wholesaler maybe in another city hundreds of miles away and
then transported up here to you.”
Blais says his cucumbers are guaranteed
fresh, within 48 hours at the latest.
“If people want freshness come see me, that way you also are supporting
our local growers like myself.” The operation is still a lot of hard
work, even locating proper packaging materials and there is a lot to
learn in producing food, but Blais is determined to make it work.
“I’m just amazed to realize I have 1800
plants to keep happy.”
Blais does mostly a wholesale business,
even supplying one vendor at the Farmer’s Market downtown. Customers can
buy direct as long as the farm gate is open. He even stocks pro-mix soil
mixture for gardeners on-site. Phone 897-3727.
Article first published in the
Northern Life,
reprinted with permission.
