BLOOMING BERRY
EXPANSION: ABBEY GARDENS
HALIBURTON

BLOOMING BERRY
EXPANSION: ABBEY GARDENS
HALIBURTON

Sarah Bencic and Carling Macdonald

ABBEY GARDENS (H. REID, I. HEAVEN, C. STEEL)

Tom Whillans, Trent School of the Environment

TP_4733

2017

Haliburton

Environmental Science / Studies

The purpose of this report is to provide Abbey Gardens with a recommended plan on introducing mass cropping on the spent gravel pits and old horse paddock that are situated on the Abbey Gardens property. Abbey Gardens wishes to introduce berries to their current horticulture operation to yield more variety of product and create a more diverse environment to appeal to the public through agritourism. Third year Trent University students, Sarah Bencic and Carling MacDonald, have decided upon four varieties of berries to grow on Abbey Gardens property: elderberries, saskatoon berries, raspberries and blueberries. Based on the conditions presented in agricultural zones three and four, these berries are the most effective in terms of growth and yielding quantities. This berry crop expansion provides higher economic margins, additional educational and agritourism opportunities, and growth through the development of new horticulture products. This report strives to present the possibilities available for Abbey Gardens to grow these species of berries in a way that is organic, sustainable and affordable. Abbey Gardens already has a well-developed infrastructure, as well as great products available at the „Food Hub‟. There is also a diverse collection of partner companies on the property including: a brewery, solar power company and coffee roster. This report is to bolster the ongoing development and programming. The products we are suggesting as marketable from the proposed berry production will go with current branding or can be incorporated in some way with the current layout. All plant related research and recommendations were made with understanding of a limited budget and desire to keep all further expansions sustainable and organic. Additionally, composting material to help build up the soil in the more gravel heavy areas will be required for before some of the planting will be able to progress. This plan will also relate to the fruit tree production also being proposed for development.