Despite the snowy downpour mid-April, John Carroll, owner of New North Greenhouses has been selling out of his fresh strawberry and raspberry crops daily. With approximately 43,000 square feet of hydroponic food production at the company's western greenhouses, it's able to sell strawberries that have been picked that morning.
"No grocer can compete with that system of local food production," says Carroll. "We farm through a soilless hydroponic trough straight from a water source." Its production has already begun and will continue through to mid-October. Carroll was inspired by the popularity of "high tunnel farming" and spoke to others in the field.
"Once I learned how to grow the berries, I started donating them to the local community," he explains. "We gave away hundreds of pounds. Then I decided to put them up for retail and they were a huge success – much different from the berry produce that arrives in your local supermarket after it's been sitting on a truck for over a week." Carroll recalls customer complaints about their fruits going bad after being left on the counter overnight.
In addition to the berry production, New North Greenhouse also started selling strawberry hanging baskets. At $34.99 a basket, Carroll guarantees the plant will produce up to three pounds of berries, that is – if you also utilize the company's slow-release, homemade fertilizer throughout the summer months.
Read more at Sault This Week
