Overwintering hoophouse crops in northern Ontario

Farmer: Ryan Spence and Isabelle Spence-Legault

Farm: Field Good Farms/ Ferme j’me champ beine

Region: North

Publish Date: November 6, 2024

Article Type: Research Project

Research Priorities: Seed Production, Selection & Breeding 

Ryan and Isabelle tested different varieties and planting dates across two winter seasons to assess overwintering success of kale, cilantro and swiss chard in their unheated hoophouses in Cache Bay, northern Ontario.

 

In a Nutshell
  • Kale and cilantro successfully overwintered in both years and were affected by their locations between the two hoophouses.

  • Swiss chard did not survive in 2022 and was not included in the 2022/2023 trial.

  • Planting date did not affect the yield of kale or cilantro.

  • Winterbor F1 was the best kale of the three varieties tested and Caribe was the best cilantro of three varieties tested, with respect to its saleability and survivability.