by Jo Barnes | photos by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
You’re barely through the front door of Sun Wing Greenhouses, and the fresh smell is so inviting and so flavourful. It’s that kind of fulsome aroma that you can almost taste through your nose. Table and shelves are boasting a beautiful, colourful bounty of produce. It’s no wonder there is a steady line of customers coming through the door.
Sun Wing Tomatoes, as it is known, is owned by Tom Law and Jeanette Lee and has been a fixture in the Central Saanich farming community for many years. This thriving family-owned operation grows a variety of produce, primarily in greenhouses. Here, the word fresh is coined anew each day. “I love to see healthy produce. We pick it and put it in our store on the same day,” shares Tom. “We’ve been in business now for 30 years. We know when and how to pick our produce; it’s all based on our experience over the years.”
As well as 14 varieties of tomatoes, the produce lineup includes cucumbers, pole beans, bell peppers, lettuce, kale, broccoli, carrots, beets, bok choy, chard, garlic, watercress, pumpkin, winter melon and a variety of herbs. Produce is sold in the onsite shop next to the greenhouses, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., now through to October.
While the 12-acre property in the Oldfield Valley has an outdoor growing area, primarily it features four large greenhouses, one of which is dedicated to cucumbers, while the others grow tomatoes. It is a sophisticated system of hydroponic farming that is practised here. The floor of each greenhouse is covered with sterile plastic sheeting to prevent any undesirable organisms from growing. A computer-controlled watering system is at the heart of the operation. Nourishing fertilizer is carried through the water that flows to each and every plant promoting optimal growth. Temperature is monitored and maintained throughout the growing process. “The temperature is about 24° to 25° C during the day, with a minimum of 15° to 18° C at night,” comments Tom. “When warmer in the summer, we water more and also use shading over the greenhouse roof.”
Greenhouse knowledge for this couple goes back many years. Prior to their marriage in 1989, Jeanette was raising hothouse tomatoes on a farm on Tyndall Avenue in Gordon Head. Here she honed her skills in growing produce in a greenhouse setting. Tom says with a smile: “My wife has the farming background. She is smart and knows how to grow produce.”
As well as keeping abreast of many factors like fertilizer, watering and appropriate temperatures, another key to successfully growing produce is pest management. “We use no pesticides; we have an integrated pest management system,” relates Tom. “We use natural pest control from a local company.”
Installed at sites in the greenhouse are biological controls or the introduction of living organisms that can deal with pests. For example, using ladybugs is an effective measure against aphids. As Tom well knows, keeping on top of pest control is critical to success. “Pest management is very important. If you don’t detect a problem, you can lose a crop. When I was young and starting out at all of this, there was a pest problem and in one week the crop was gone.”
Some insects, however, can also be advantageous in growing produce. Stationed at points along the plant rows you will come across a number of bee boxes which house worker bees who pollinate the plants.
Greenhouse growing has the benefit of a controlled climate, but outside environmental factors can still have a significant impact. “If there is 12 inches or more of snow, it’s hazardous because it is very heavy on the roofs of the greenhouses,” shares Tom. “The greenhouse glass broke in the blizzard of 1996, and I had to replace all the glass.”
Whether it’s transplanting seedlings to the greenhouse, monitoring their growth, or harvesting, it takes commitment and persistence. Paulina Wu, Tom’s assistant, says: “Tom and Jeanette have over 30 years of experience. They put their heart and soul into it.”
This hard work and dedication show in the quality of the produce, with beefsteak tomatoes as big as a softball and cucumbers that are so firm and green you can practically taste the crunch. Attesting to the excellence of their produce is a wall in the shop filled with countless ribbons from the Saanich Fair declaring Best in Show, Best Exhibit and First Place. However, it’s having happy and satisfied customers that is the best reward for Tom and Jeanette. “The public appreciate what we grow. They often bring us goodies and beg us not to close the door!” relates Tom, adding: “We are now into four and five generations of customers who come to buy our produce.”
It takes time, talent, and tender loving care, and the result is delicious, high-quality produce at Sun Wing. Come smell the taste!
www.sunwingtomatoes.ca/facts.html
