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W. Martens Greenhouse, Beamsville, Ontario

In june 2015, W.Martens Bluewater Greenhouses in Beamsville, Ontario, expanded with 7 acres, bringing the total acreage of the cucumber greenhouse to 14 acres, all under glass.
In june 2015, W.Martens Bluewater Greenhouses in Beamsville, Ontario, expanded with 7 acres, bringing the total acreage of the cucumber greenhouse to 14 acres, all under glass.
After growing tomatoes for 1,5 years, Martens decided to solely focus on cucumbers.
After growing tomatoes for 1,5 years, Martens decided to solely focus on cucumbers.
The new greenhouse was built by Prins greenhouses has diffuse glass with AR coating.
The new greenhouse was built by Prins greenhouses has diffuse glass with AR coating.
Bill Martens welcomed the group inside and told about his experience with growing cucumbers under diffused glass and growing high wire versus the umbrella system.
Bill Martens welcomed the group inside and told about his experience with growing cucumbers under diffused glass and growing high wire versus the umbrella system.
As the new 7 acres are connected to the older structure with standard glass, a very good comparison can be made between the two cover materials. On the left is the diffused greenhouse. Standard glass is installed above the concrete path and the right section of the greenhouse. Martens told that the crop under diffused glass was planted one day later than the crops under standard glass. Yet the standard crop was six days later with picking the first cukes.
As the new 7 acres are connected to the older structure with standard glass, a very good comparison can be made between the two cover materials. On the left is the diffused greenhouse. Standard glass is installed above the concrete path and the right section of the greenhouse. Martens told that the crop under diffused glass was planted one day later than the crops under standard glass. Yet the standard crop was six days later with picking the first cukes.
Two buses with interested growers, suppliers and other professionals showed many interest in Martens experience with diffused glass and the umbrella system. Martens grew high wire cukes for a while, but due to the cost of labour he returned to the older umbrella system. Now that the diffused glass gives him up to 20% more production he said that they might take another look at high wire in the future.
Two buses with interested growers, suppliers and other professionals showed many interest in Martens experience with diffused glass and the umbrella system. Martens grew high wire cukes for a while, but due to the cost of labour he returned to the older umbrella system. Now that the diffused glass gives him up to 20% more production he said that they might take another look at high wire in the future.
The diffused glass with Anti-reflective coating.
The diffused glass with Anti-reflective coating.
This section of the new 7 acre greenhouse has diffused glass on both ends.
This section of the new 7 acre greenhouse has diffused glass on both ends.
All crops are propagated and grown on Cultilene stone wool slabs. The slabs are changed every crop, according to Martens because for the price of it, it is not worth to get diseased. Furthermore, in order to spread disease risks, Martens opted for two different propagators; Roelands Plant Farms and Ontario Plants.
All crops are propagated and grown on Cultilene stone wool slabs. The slabs are changed every crop, according to Martens because for the price of it, it is not worth to get diseased. Furthermore, in order to spread disease risks, Martens opted for two different propagators; Roelands Plant Farms and Ontario Plants.
Ontario Plants propagated the cucumbers on Grodan Plantop rockwool cubes.
Ontario Plants propagated the cucumbers on Grodan Plantop rockwool cubes.
In order to guarantee quality of work as well as lower the risk of disease spreading, Marten's employees are responsible for the crops in their own bays.
In order to guarantee quality of work as well as lower the risk of disease spreading, Marten's employees are responsible for the crops in their own bays.
The cucumber grower told that he pays special attention to the integration of bio-controls. Red spider mites are a big threat, hence they introduce Swirskii Californicus sachets as early as possible.
The cucumber grower told that he pays special attention to the integration of bio-controls. Red spider mites are a big threat, hence they introduce Swirskii Californicus sachets as early as possible.
Yellow sticky plates are used to scout on pests.
Yellow sticky plates are used to scout on pests.
Fresh picked cucumbers on their way to the packing house.
Fresh picked cucumbers on their way to the packing house.
All of the cucumbers are transported to a central area where they are sorted, shrink wrapped and packed.
All of the cucumbers are transported to a central area where they are sorted, shrink wrapped and packed.
Employees manually empty the crates and perform a final quality check before the cukes are shrink wrapped individually.
Employees manually empty the crates and perform a final quality check before the cukes are shrink wrapped individually.
…
Shrink wrapped cucumbers on their way to the Aweta sorting machine that sorts the cucumbers on size and weight.
Shrink wrapped cucumbers on their way to the Aweta sorting machine that sorts the cucumbers on size and weight.
The sorter knows exactly at which exit to drop the cucumbers.
The sorter knows exactly at which exit to drop the cucumbers.
All cucumbers of Bill Martens are marketed by Sunset.
All cucumbers of Bill Martens are marketed by Sunset.
Billy Martens shows a new combo pack with three individual shrink wrapped cucumbers.
Billy Martens shows a new combo pack with three individual shrink wrapped cucumbers.
All of the products are picked and packed according to the orders they receive in the morning.
All of the products are picked and packed according to the orders they receive in the morning.
The carboard boxes are manufactured at the greenhouse operation.
The carboard boxes are manufactured at the greenhouse operation.
Ready to ship!
Ready to ship!
After seeing the packing house, the Martens family gave us a tour of the irrigation and heating facilities.
After seeing the packing house, the Martens family gave us a tour of the irrigation and heating facilities.
Bill Martens explained how they are recirculating water with the help of water treatment installations.
Bill Martens explained how they are recirculating water with the help of water treatment installations.
One of these is a water purification installation from AgroZone. It purifies water with the Ozone technique, which is one of the most environmentally friendly techniques. The purification installation is based on 100% ozone oxidation. No consumables, like activated carbon, hydrogen peroxide, chloride, catalysts or coated ceramic grains, are needed. Just electricity and compressed air.
One of these is a water purification installation from AgroZone. It purifies water with the Ozone technique, which is one of the most environmentally friendly techniques. The purification installation is based on 100% ozone oxidation. No consumables, like activated carbon, hydrogen peroxide, chloride, catalysts or coated ceramic grains, are needed. Just electricity and compressed air.
This biomass installation burns woodchips and other wood material to heat the greenhouses in winter. According to Martens a very efficient way to heat the greenhouses, but the installation also requires many maintenance.
This biomass installation burns woodchips and other wood material to heat the greenhouses in winter. According to Martens a very efficient way to heat the greenhouses, but the installation also requires many maintenance.
The biomass feeder installation with a walking floor.
The biomass feeder installation with a walking floor.