Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFarming '92, 1992-03-18, Page 6A6. FARMING ’92, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1992. Farming '92 Love of outdoors turned dairy farmers to gardeners BY LARRY CARDIFF It has been fifteen years since John and Carol Boneschansker first purchased their farm in the Brus­ sels area. In the beginning it was a dairy operation, but they have been out of dairy now for approximately eight years. They decided to get into the veg­ etable produce market because John wanted to work more outside in the fresh air. When he had first come to Canada from Holland, he had worked on vegetable farms and had developed a liking for it. In fact, on the first farms the cou­ ple rented outside of Port Perry, prior to their move to Brussels, they had grown vegetables. At pre­ sent, of the 190 acres they own, they use about 30 acres for veg­ etable produce. One of their main products is pick-your-own strawberries in the spring. When they first switched to vegetable produce, John and Carol grew cucumbers, peas, squash and asparagus, but now they mainly raise cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and some potatoes. They also man­ age to do a little cash cropping on the side, with some white beans, barley and winter wheat. The Boneschanskers have approximately three acres of straw­ berries, and they tend to plant two new acres (about 16,000 new plants) a year. In the spring the soil must be worked good and loose in preparation for planting, using a lit­ tle bit of rabbit manure for fertiliz­ er. Carol raises the rabbits as more of a hobby, but admits the manure is good for the plants. If frost is expected, straw bales are laid around the strawberry beds and set afire for smoke. The picking season for the strawberries is usually from mid-June through to mid-July. Boneschanskers are usually open in the picking season by 8:00 A.M. for those who come wishing to pick their own. They have a cooler in the bam where they store orders, although as Carol relates, they usu­ ally find that there is not enough to satisfy the demand. Vegetables, such as onions, car­ rots, tomatoes or mushrooms, which they don't grow themselves, the couple buys wholesale in quan­ tity from other farmers or at the Terminal in Toronto. This is to increase the variety they have to offer to their customers. They place all the vegetables, the ones they grow themselves and the ones they purchase, in their bam for fall stor­ age. Carol admits there is quite a bit of work involved in running a pro­ duce operation such as theirs. Even in the winter they find themselves rather busy, making boxes ready for the stores, trimming leaves and there is always plenty of washing and bagging to be done. They have a tow motor for moving the larger storage bins and plenty of tractors, one for each stage of operation; for the planting, spraying, and for scuf­ fling or cultivating the rows between the plants for weeds. They do spray their crops for insects, but as Carol quickly points out, they tend to use organic sprays. The Boneschanskers raise most of their own plants for the produce they grow. John usually starts seed­ ing in the greenhouse by March 15. With the use of a vacuum seeder, he can seed about 60 trays an hour in the germinating mix they use for soil. The Transplanter deposits the small seedlings in the fields about the first of May. The couple presently hires one full-time worker from April to November, and a few local high school students for pickers. But as Carol points out, despite the high rates of unemployment, they still have problems finding enough help in the prime season. Boneschanskers market their pro­ duce at home and at local stores such as the E.M.A. in Brussels and Valu Mart. They make the journey to Waterloo Farmers Market year round, twice a week in the summer and only Saturday the rest of the year. It takes John and Carol a cou­ ple of hours to load their truck in preparation of market day. They also supply a few of the local restaurants, such as J.R.'s in Brus­ sels and the Diesel Car Diner on Highway 86. Zn^VZ Carol Boneschansker demonstrates the use of the vacuum seeder, that enables them to seed about 60 trays an hour. They usually start seeding in the greenhouse by March 15. Get A Grip On nd Value These are just a few of the many quality products available from your Petro-Canada fuel and lubes agent. He understands farming and knows how much you depend on your equipment. For reliable service and quality products, look to Petro-Canada. Contact your agent now for special prices on all your lubricant needs, including Super Plus 15W40 Motor Oil, Duratran Transmission-Hydraulic Fluid, Gearlube TOS, Automatic Transmission Fluid, Harmony HV136 and Precision EP2 Grease. ‘SAVE UP TO 350 PER LITRE BOB FOXTON FUELS LTD. Wholesale Marketer pmtooiun** Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0 1-800-265-3069 (519)357-2664 Committed to Canadians "Marque de commerce de Petro-Canada — Trademark ORDER NOW AND GET THESE VISE-GRIP® LOCKING PLIERS FOR JUST $5.99 Order 160L of lube oil before April 15th and receive these VISE-GRIP® locking pliers, regularly $15.95 for only $5.99, with one dollar going directly to your local 4-H Club, along with a matching contribution from Petro-Canada.