Family History
Our family has been growing fruit and vegetables in the greater Hamilton region for over 6 generations. Four of those generations we were known as Maple Avenue "market gardeners" farming 34 acres in Burlington.
Peter and Joan moved the family operation to Ancaster in 1973 and started the pick your own business.
Today's Farming at Lindley's
After graduating from the University of Guelph, son Joe gradually took over the management focusing on strawberries and pumpkins. Today more emphasis is being placed on using sustainable production systems, growing more of our own produce, and buying local.
Sustainable Practices
As farmers, we have great respect for the land and try to work with nature to produce quality fruits and vegetables. We employ several different methods to increase the soil fertility, health and increase beneficial insect populations.
Our Process
Compost is applied in early Spring to enhance microbial populations, nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the soil and their availability to plants.
Cover Crops
Cover crops such as oilseed radish and oats are sewn in the Fall to reduce soil erosion and help hold plant nutrients in the root zone. Cover crop roots are typically tilled into the soil in the Spring.
Biocontrols
Biocontrols such as garlic, fish emulsion, and seaweed-derived products are used to fend off harmful pests and disease in our strawberries. Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring, spore-forming bacterium that also releases proteins that can infect certain types of insects. We apply this in our raspberry patch.
Irrigation Systems
A trickle irrigation system is used to conserve water in the raspberry patch. Rainwater run-off from our land is channelled into our spring-fed pond for use later in the trickle and overhead irrigation systems. In this way, we capitalize on mother nature's supply of water and use less municipal water.
Do You Want To Know More About Joe & Pest Management?
Controlling Pests at Lindley’s Farm
Here at Lindley’s, we utilize “Pest Management”.
This involves using many different methods to control pests with the chemical intervention being our last choice.
We begin by consulting with a certified soil scientist who provides recommendations on maintaining the proper balance of nutrients in the soil. This keeps our soils at maximum health to grow excellent crops and ward off pests.
Maintaining a high Brix level (sugar in the plant) at all times is essential for optimum plant nutrition. Plants with high Brix are not considered good hosts by pests.
Applying naturally occurring foliar fertilizers regularly keeps Brix levels high. This includes carbon, molasses, fish emulsions, seaweed and garlic.
Our goal is to produce outstanding tasting fruits and vegetables that are higher in nutritional value.
If necessary, we seek out biological alternatives first before a synthetic pesticide is applied.
Synthetics are sometimes required to save the crop but are considered a last resort.
What you need to know about the owner at Lindley’s Farm and Market…
Joe Lindley
Instructor for Pesticide Education, University of Guelph
A mandatory certification course required by all Ontario farmers buying and utilizing Class 2 or 3 (some 4) pesticides.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
If you would like more information or have questions about Joe Lindley’s background in Agriculture or the farm, please email lindleysfarmandmarket@gmail.com.
.png/:/cr=t:6.4%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:52.23%25/rs=w:609,h:277,cg:true)