Pure Island Produce in Elliotvale, P.E.I., is one of the province’s only commercial hydroponic greenhouses selling fresh produce every day — even in the dead of winter.
The greenhouse grows everything from different lettuces to arugula, basil, mustards and chives — even a Chinese kale grown exclusively for one customer.
The 6,000 plants are nourished by fresh well water that constantly circulates through irrigation channels.
“We use up to 90 per cent less water than traditional farming for lettuce,” says co-owner Dave Mitchell. That’s because the fresh well water is recycled. After two months, the entire system is flushed out and replaced with fresh water.
Once ready, the company delivers its “living” lettuces and herbs with the roots intact and in water, giving it a longer shelf life than lettuce grown in soil. | READ MORE
Print this page
