Biological Controls

Raising healthy, strong plants is our top priority at Heeman’s, and we recognize that sometimes the best way to this is nature’s way. That’s why we’ve reduced our reliance on the traditional spraying program in favour of a softer approach, fighting bugs with bugs. Our major pest control is done with the help of thousands of beneficial insects that form the front line in our biological control program. 

These bugs aren’t like the traditional average lady bug or praying mantis. Each of our allies has an appetite for a specific type of prey, selective feeders that narrow in on common greenhouse pests. Next time you come visit the greenhouse look out for our little friends, if you see an insect hanging around, chances are it’s just another teeny tiny Daymaker hard at work.

Water Recycling

A greenhouse operation as big as ours can have major water demands. That’s why for years we’ve been keeping our water usage minimized by using flooding benches and water reservoirs.

In our greenhouses we have had a unique watering system in place since the 1980’s, a very forward thinking concept that is now becoming more common. Water premixed with fertilizer is stored in large tanks, with a whole network of pipes under the greenhouse floors to connect tanks with flood tables. Based on preset timers, the benches are flooded with water, and once everyone has had enough to drink, the water is drained out of the tables, and is filtered before returning to the large tanks. Not only does this account for less water loss due to evaporation, but it also eliminates fertilizer runoff and is a more effective way of watering that helps reduce leaf moisture that can lead to fungus build up.

Rainwater Conservation

The pond isn’t just something pretty for our guests to enjoy, it’s useful! Rain water is funneled into our holding pond and used for irrigating the popular strawberry fields or frost protecting in the spring. Rather than draw down our local water levels, we prefer to capitalize on what Mother Nature gives us and everyone knows that nothing beats rain water for helping plants grow.

Plant Selection & Pots

Over the past couple decades, the call for native plants has been growing louder, and we hear you! We are working with vendors, growers and wholesalers to increase production of native plants at the scale required to offer them in a retail setting, check out our Native Plant List to see what we’re carrying! In 2022, we welcomed a new native seed supplier to increase the diversity in what we are currently offering.

In our own production greenhouses, we have been trialing the use of compostable pots (the coconut coir pots from 2022 disintegrated before the end of the season, so we’re on trial #2) that would reduce our use of plastics even further. We plan on incorporating these into more and more products if successful (so far, so good!).

The plastic pots and trays that we do happen to use, are reused as much as possible and recycled at the end of their useful life cycle.

Waste Diversion

All of our coffee cups, lids, straws, spoons, and milkshake containers have been switched to eco-plastics that are plant-based and 100% compostable. Even better, we have a separate composting stream from our garbage and recycling streams, so with the help of our guests, we are successfully diverting these single use items from the landfills.

We also have our own compost pile with organic matter (leaves, spoiled produce, etc.) that we maintain and spread out onto the fields as a natural source of fertilizer.

Solar Energy

In the summer of 2021, our solar panels were installed, and solar energy was officially started to be generated for use around Heeman’s. Thanks to the sunshine, within the first year, we’ll offset over 180 tonnes of carbon emissions; the equivalent of driving 727095km in the average vehicle!

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The number of EVs on the roads is steadily increasing, and the demand for charging stations is rising along with it. So, in 2022, we invested in the installation of 3 Level 2 EV charging stations (that can charge up to 6 electric vehicles at once) in the parking lot at Heeman’s, adding convenience to a day of plant shopping for eco-conscious guests.

Green Leadership

Heeman’s is proud to be part of the green economy movement and we’ve been recognized locally and beyond for our efforts.

In 2019 Heeman’s was awarded the Environment Leadership Business of the Year by the London Chamber of Commerce. Also, in 2019, we became founding members of Green Economy London. We were selected as London’s representative and were a finalist for the inaugural Green Economy Builder Award, named by Green Economy Canada. Heeman’s has been selected for two Green Economy London ‘Green Leader Awards, being named the Emissions Reduction Project of the Year in 2021 and Green Innovation Award winners in 2022.

Green & Growing Team

One of our core values is to be green and growing. We interpret that to mean embracing green or environmental initiatives wherever we can, and to grow in knowledge as well as the typical business sense. Our Daymakers feel just as passionately about our ability to make a difference, so they joined in July 2021 to help us plant over 700 native plants on a portion of un-farmed land in our pick-your-own fields (aka the patch).

Our team was able to plant Virginia Rye, Indian Grass, Rudbeckia, Tall Sunflower, Hairy Beardtongue, Tall Coreopsis, Monarda, Virginia Mountain Mint, Cup Plant & Swamp Rose Mallow.