Seeds of Inspiration Blogs

Follow along to learn about healthy lifestyle tips and tricks, alongside delicious veggie-filled recipes, and educational greenhouse-grow facts. We’re here to inspire and help you get the most out of your Red Sun Farms purchase.


Organic vs. Conventional Greenhouse Insights

Organic vs. Conventional Greenhouse Insights

One of the biggest benefits of high-tech greenhouse produce, whether conventional or organic, is the ability to supply fresh delicious produce all year long. This is due to produce being grown in a controlled high-tech, modern greenhouse environment. 

The debate between organic and conventional greenhouse growing practices is a subject that Red Sun Farms gives a great deal of attention. Both methods aim to maximize yield and quality, yet they diverge significantly in philosophy and inputs. Conventional greenhouse growing often prioritizes maximizing yield and efficiency. Organic greenhouse growing on the other hand, adheres to a holistic approach that emphasizes soil health and ecological balance.

Organic standards require plants to be grown in a soil-based medium, as the foundation of organic agriculture is living soil. In addition to reusing a renewable resource like water, our high-tech greenhouse structures and strict protocols, including IPM (Integrated Pest Management). If we find a harmful insect in the greenhouse, we introduce good bugs (such as ladybugs) that protect our plants and eliminate the threat of harmful bugs. Our high-tech greenhouses also naturally pollinate with the use of bumblebees.

Conventional and organic greenhouse grown methods maximize efficiency and lessen environmental impact. At Red Sun Farms we try to minimize our waste whenever possible. Our tomato production uses up to five times less water. Water that is not used by the plant is sterilized, reconditioned, and recycled back into the greenhouse. This is huge when you consider that each plant consumes 1L – 2L of water per day, and up to 3L of water in the heat of the summer. Our conventional plants are grown hydroponically, without the use of traditional soil. Better flavor profile, use of less resources, and year-round availability, are the incredible benefits of greenhouse grown produce.

While both conventional and organic greenhouse methods aim for optimal growing conditions for tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, their means to that end are distinctly different. The choice between these methods often comes down to philosophical considerations, market demand for organic produce, and the grower's willingness to embrace the unique challenges and rewards of each approach. Red Sun Farms will continue to grow our produce using both conventional and organic greenhouse to supply the highest quality and best tasting produce available.

Sources:

UMass, USDA, Organic Federation of Canada