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 scrapped the traditional spraying program in favour of a softer approach, fighting bugs with bugs. Our pest control is done with the help of thousands of beneficial insects that form the front line in our biological control program. Biological control allows for a softer, yet effective approach to pest control that employs predatory mites to hunt down other mites, like two-spotted spider mites, or parasitic wasps to attack aphids. Whatever the insect we’ve got a hunter to handle it.

These bugs aren’t like 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 faithful Heeman employee hard at work.

Water Retention & 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.

Rain water is funnelled into our holding pond and used for irrigating the straw popular berry 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.

In the greenhouse we have had a unique watering system in place since the 1981, a very forward thinking concept that is now becoming. Water premixed with fertilizer is stored in reservoirs under the greenhouse benches and then flooded onto the tables above and then recycled back into the reservoirs. Not only does this account for 0% fertilizer run off or water loss it is also a more effective way of watering that helps reduce leaf moisture that can lead to fungus build up.

(Now Retired) Plastic Pot Recycling

As most of you know, we’ve offered a pot recycling program here for many years. Before, municipalities didn’t accept greenhouse plastics in the recycling stream and there were no other options. Together we helped divert and recycle thousands of pounds of plastic from the landfills each year (enough to fill 2 tractor trailers annually).

We’re thrilled to report that local municipalities now accept nursery pots as part of blue box services. Not wanting to ‘compete’ with their service, we are no longer offering our recycling program. We see this as a great step forward for our environment and are glad you can now recycle your containers at home to continue to keep our green industry ‘green’!

Links to Local Recycling Services:

• City of London
• Municipality of Thames Centre – Dorchester & Thorndale
• Township of Zorra – Thamesford
• Municipality of Central Elgin – Belmont