GREENHOUSES
Bringing Spring to Life in the Greenhouse SUBMITTED BY PEAK OF THE MARKET
At Dufferin Market Gardens, spring doesn’t begin in the field; it begins in the greenhouse.
L ong before the soil warms and planting equipment rolls out, new growth is already underway in trays and benches filled with seedlings that will shape the season ahead. This spring, nearly every crop starts its life under cover. Cabbage, kale, cucumbers, peppers, jalapeños and kohlrabi are all seeded in the greenhouse, where tem- perature, moisture and light can be carefully managed. These early weeks are about giving plants the strongest possible start before they ever face the unpredictability of a Manitoba spring. The greenhouse plays a critical role in allowing the growing season to begin early, something essential in a climate with a limited window for field production. Peppers, for example, are seeded in March so they’re ready to move into the field once the risk of frost has passed in early June. Without that head start, the plants simply wouldn’t have enough time to mature. Thanks to greenhouse growing, peppers are typically ready for harvest by mid-August. Cool season crops like cabbage, kale and kohlrabi benefit as well. These brassicas can be transplanted into the field as early as May, even when light frost still lin- gers, giving them a significant advantage in both growth and timing. Knowing when a seedling is ready to move on is part science, part experience. Tim from Dufferin Market Gardens looks for vibrant green colour, strong root development, consistent size across trays and clear signs that seedlings are prepared to handle the transition from greenhouse to field.
ROOK FAMILY Photos courtesy of Peak of the Market
Beyond early timing, greenhouses make it possible to grow crops in Manitoba that would otherwise require a much longer growing season further south. They allow Dufferin Market Gardens to manage their own seeding, reduce reliance on outsourced production and maintain a steady flow of plants ready for transplanting week by week. This approach also shortens the time crops spend in the field, helping conserve resources and manage weeds more efficiently. In Manitoba, spring arrives early in the greenhouse, offering a first glimpse of the season to come.
Knowing when a seedling is ready to move on is part science, part experience.
SAVOUR MANITOBA | SPRING 2026 | 41
Powered by FlippingBook