Farming & production
How we grow year-round in Ontario
A look at how 16 acres of greenhouses in East Garafraxa produce tropical vegetables, snails and dried fish through every Canadian season.
Greenhouse farming built for Canadian weather
Our 16 acres in East Garafraxa are divided into separate greenhouses, each set up for the climate its crop needs: 10 acres for vegetables, 2 acres for snails, 3.5 acres for fish, and half an acre for storage and on-site accommodation.
Canadian winters are a real constraint for tropical crops. Greenhouse technology lets us control temperature and humidity, so we can grow and harvest year-round rather than only in season.
tropical vegetables on 10 acres
Five acres are planted with ugwu (Telfairia occidentalis). Ugwu has a six-month cycle, but leaves are first cut six weeks after planting and then every two weeks for the next two years, with seed harvested at six months.
The other five acres carry water leaf, scent leaf, ukazi, bitter leaf, wrapping leaves, oha leaves and Nigerian spinach — all on the same two-week harvest rhythm, first cut three weeks after planting.
Achatina snail production on 2 acres
Snails are reared in managed pens with damp soil and fresh feed grown on the farm. Achatina takes roughly seven months from egg through hatchling to the adult stage, which is when they are edible and ready for sale.
Marginata (giant snails) are planned as an additional line once the Achatina operation is at full capacity.
Fish ponds and drying on 3.5 acres
One acre of ponds is dedicated to catfish, which take about ten months to reach harvest weight, and 2.5 acres to tilapia, which take about six months.
Fish are harvested, dried and packed on the farm, then sold as dried fish — the form tropical kitchens actually cook with.
Want to see the farm?
Send us a message to ask about farm visits, supply capacity or production details.