20


Greenhouse showcases


production systems


Open house gives neighbours a glimpse of a growing operation


by DAVID SCHMIDT ABBOTSFORD – Since


Kanwarbir Randhawa built his first cucumber greenhouse in Abbotsford in 1991, Randhawa Farms has steadily expanded. Now run primarily by his


three sons, Ajay (operations), Vijay (office) and Amit (grower), Randhawa Farms currently grows four acres of long English cucumbers and 44 acres of red, yellow and orange bell peppers in state- of-the-art glass houses. The operation employs up to 110 people in peak season and is building another 15-acre pepper house which should be in production next year. The Randhawa family opened one of its existing greenhouses to the public on June 3 as part of BC Greenhouse Veggie Days, organized by the BC Greenhouse Growers Association. Visitors got to see all of their cucumbers and seven acres of peppers. “Cucumbers are a lot more


work than peppers but we have a good market for them,” Ajay told a small but rapt


audience. Through interplanting and judicious use of lights, the Randhawas are able to grow cucumbers year-round, producing six to seven cucumbers per square metre each week. Peppers are grown 10 months a year and produce about 30-35 kg/square metre each season. Artificial lighting is only used in the cucumbers; the peppers don’t need it. Although some neighbours initially complained about the lighting, those complaints ended once the Randhawas installed blackout side and top curtains to prevent light escaping from the greenhouse. Ajay notes the curtains both placate neighbours and maximize light on the plants. Rockwool is used as


growing medium for the cucumbers while coco fibre is used for the peppers. While peppers start better on rockwool, Amit explains that the pepper plants prefer coco fibre in the summer heat. The Randhawas recirculate about 30% of their water. Treated pond and municipal water make up the rest.


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • JULY 2017


Amit Randhawa describes how peppers are grown during the BC Greenhouse Veggie Day open house at Randhawa Greenhouses in Abbotsford, June 3. DAVID SCHMIDT PHOTO


GLOBAL reach


farm next door, they’ve also got global reach. Jos Moerman pointed out that Sunnyside, like many other local operations, sources its insects and other inputs from Europe. It also sends water samples to the Netherlands for testing each week, receiving the analyses within 24 hours. This is faster


The Organic Specialist


BioFert Manufacturing Inc. was established with a vision of providing high efficacy, non-toxic, biodegradable and eco-friendly fertilizers and soil additives for use in agriculture. Let us introduce you to two of our best- selling products:


BioFish is a fish based liquid fertilizer for all crops. Made by using a unique aerobic fermentation process that renders nutrients and minerals readily available for plant use. Besides drench, BioFish can be used in drip and foliar applications. It will not clog irrigation lines because of its unique formulation. BioFish also enhances microbial activity in the soil, decomposes undigested organic materials and increases nutrient availability for plants by maximizing root development.


Organic Blend 6-2-7 A granular fertilizer for use in soil/soil- less medium for all plants. Organic Blend 6-2-7 an NPK fertilizer, enriched


Organic Division of TerraLink


1.866.BIOFERT www.biofert.ca


Canadian Owned and Operated


than labs in Canada and reflects the deep connections that link local greenhouses by blood and business ties to Europe. Moerman emigrated from the Netherlands in 1996, growing in Abbotsford with his cousin, Bram, before building Sunnyside in 2006. Today, the cousins have 30 acres in South Surrey near the truck crossing on Highway 15, and another 30 acres in Delta. Sunnyside focuses on peppers which, like Westcoast’s produce, sell under the Windset name. Windset is among the


largest greenhouse vegetable marketing agencies in North America and last year began exporting produce to Japan. The proof of the industry’s success is in the tasting, however. Chefs were on hand at the four greenhouses to show consumers how to work


nfrom page 19


local vegetables into their diets. (A Windset-produced recipe book was also available.) Trevor Randle, a Maple


Ridge teacher and chef who works with the BC Agriculture in the Classroom program, served up a concoction the Windset recipe book called a panzanella salad at Westcoast. Meanwhile, Karen Carruthers, also an instructor in Maple Ridge, whipped up a cool gazpacho and Mediterranean cucumber cups at Sunnyside. BC Greenhouse Veggie


Days is sponsored by the BC Greenhouse Growers Association, which represents 61 growers across the province. Retail participants include Loblaw and Overwaitea Food Group, which showcase BC greenhouse produce at more than 200 locations across BC as part of the initiative.


with calcium, sulphur, zinc as well as humic acid. Used as a pre-charge in various soil mixes, Organic Blend 6-2-7 increases microbial activity and organic matter, improves soil structure and nutrient retention with minimal leaching losses.


For more information on these or other products, visit BioFert’s website at www.biofert.ca, or call 604-557-1496.


Manufacturing Inc. BioFert


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44