Canadian Horticulture Overview

Introduction

• The horticulture industry in Canada is a multi-billion dollar business.
• Canada’s farming area is limited, with only 7 percent of the land being farmable.
• There are over 120 different fruit and vegetable crops grown in Canada.
• Ontario and Quebec are the major producers of vegetable crops.

Canadian Horticulture Facts

• Farm-gate value refers to the value received by producers at the point of first transaction.
• 2022 was a strong year for Canadian fruit and vegetable production.
• Canadian fruit exports are a significant part of the Canadian economy, reaching over a billion dollars in 2022.

Canadian Fruit Production

• Apples are the most produced fruit in Canada, with over 380,000 metric tons produced in 2022.
• Cranberries are the second most produced fruit in Canada.
• British Columbia and Southern Ontario have the most frost-free days, leading them to be the most productive regions for fruit production.

Canadian Vegetable Production

• Ontario accounts for 48% of the vegetable production in Canada.
• Quebec accounts for 38% of the vegetable production in Canada.
• Potatoes are the leading vegetable crop produced in Canada.

Soil and Crop Fertility

• Visual deficiency symptoms can be caused by many things, including herbicide injury, leaf disease, root disease, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Soil testing is the most accurate method for determining crop nutrient requirements.
• Plant tissue analysis can be used to assess nutrient deficiencies and excesses in plants.
• The ideal pH range for most crops is between 5.0 and 7.5.
• Calcitic or dolomitic limestone can be used to raise soil pH.
• Sulphur or ammonium sulphate can be used to lower soil pH.

Soil Types

• Sandy soil drains quickly, which can lead to a lack of essential nutrients.
• Silt soil is rich in nutrients and easy to work with.
• Clay soil is sticky and lumpy, making it difficult to work with.
• Loamy soil is soft and fine-textured, with a good balance of sand, silt, and clay.

Drainage

• Drainage is important for reducing the risk of flooding and soil saturation.
• Surface drainage involves creating channels to redirect water flow.
• Subsurface drainage involves burying perforated plastic pipes to remove excess water.
• Proper drainage can increase crop yield, improve soil aeration, and reduce erosion.

Slope

• Slope is a major factor in soil erosion.
• The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) can be used to measure the long-term effects of soil erosion.
• Soil reports and topographic maps can be used to assess slope.

Air Drainage

• Air drainage is important for preventing frost damage.
• Cold air is denser than warm air, and will accumulate in low-lying areas.
• Removing obstructions such as trees and bushes can improve air drainage.
• Frost fans can be used to circulate air and prevent frost damage.

Climate Considerations

• Growing degree days (GDD) are a measure of the accumulated heat units during the growing season.
• Frost-free days are the number of days in a year that are above freezing.
• Plant hardiness zones are based on the average annual minimum temperature.
• Water availability is essential for crop growth.
• Daylength influences plant growth and development.

Overall

• This lecture has covered the major fruit and vegetable crops grown in Canada, and the soil and landscape requirements for these crops. It has also discussed the important climate considerations for success in the horticulture industry.