At Armstrong Farm Co in North Okanagan, the asparagus season has commenced following a delay due to cooler spring temperatures. The farm, which has been cultivating asparagus for four years alongside strawberries for six years, is now busy with the harvest of this vegetable. Andrew Reimer, the farm's operator, mentioned that recent sub-zero overnight temperatures posed a threat to the crop, but fortunately, the damage was minimal.
Despite the challenges, including concerns about drought due to low snowpacks and insufficient rainfall, the farm is managing with its 30 acres of asparagus. Reimer also highlighted the risk of wildfires to farm structures, though asparagus crops are not affected by wildfire smoke.
Reimer utilizes three varieties of asparagus from Ontario, chosen for their high yield potential. The farm employs a method of planting one-year-old roots, known as crowns, to expedite growth, with harvesting commencing after two years. This manual process involves workers using a specialized machine to pick the spears. The farm has recently established a partnership with Sobeys, aiming to supply asparagus to three major grocery chains.
Source: infotel.ca
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