Morrisburg, Ont. farm using new method to grow strawberries this year

Rijke's Produce Farm in Morrisburg, Ont has been growing strawberries since 2020, but this year are changing their approach for growing them.

Typically, strawberries are grown in the ground. Instead, Rijke’s has implemented a “tabletop system,” growing the berries roughly four feet above ground.

Strawberries being grown four feet above ground, a new method of growing, at Rijke’s Produce Farm in Morrisburg, Ont. Oct 1, 2024. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa).

"So far it's been pretty good," said co-owner Brian Rijke.

The farm’s strawberry picking season has been extended by six weeks because of the new system. In addition, it’s allowed the Rijke’s to produce over two times as many strawberries this year compared to last.

"We're finding it is a massive improvement in labour, the amount of labour that it takes to maintain and harvest it," he said.

The elevated tabletops have also increased efficiency for picking, compared to the typical labour-intensive process of picking strawberries when they grow in the ground. 

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"It's a lot easier on the body. We're able to keep going longer days, and it also allows us to be more efficient," Rijke explained.

The greenhouse-style system prevents excess moisture from spoiling the berries, and Rijke says their customers benefit from that.

"The quality of fruit is incredibly better," he said. "We've had a few times where we've put some strawberries in our fridge, and we've ended up having them stay in the fridge for more than a week and they still look fantastic at the end of the week."

"It's so much better it's unbelievable."

"They look beautiful," said customer Fay Donnelly. "They seem to last a little longer too."

According to Rijke, the method is common in Europe, specifically the Netherlands, but isn't used at most produce farms in eastern Ontario.