Celebrate B.C. Veggie Day on May 23, 2015 by visiting greenhouses throughout the Fraser Valley between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Four of B.C.’s greenhouses are opening their doors for an open house celebration that will allow the public to see how their greenhouse vegetables are grown. A visit to one, or all, of these greenhouses will give consumers a chance to learn how modern science has enabled farmers to overcome time and space restraints on food production.

Greenhouse facts:

• Greenhouse production of flowers and vegetables accounts for 21 per cent of total agriculture production in B.C., but that production occurs on less than one per cent of the province’s agricultural land.

• Greenhouse production accounts for $260 million of revenue each year, and it is estimated that those revenues contribute a value of over $600 million to B.C.’s economy.

• Large greenhouse production allows B.C. families to enjoy fresh local produce 10 months of the year.

• While bell peppers lead the greenhouse harvest, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and lettuce are also widely grown in B.C. greenhouses.

D.Reichardt/Flickr

Greenhouse locations:

Abbotsford: Calais Farms, 34079 Clayburn Road

Abbotsford: Peppertree Farms, 270 Gladwin Road

Aldergrove: Topgro Farms, 1110 – 264th Street

Surrey: Sunnyside Greenhouses, 1119 – 176th Street

Open house hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Website: bcgreenhousegrown.com

Written by Dallas Carlson. Follow Dallas on Twitter at @dk_carlson.

Greenhouse in Burnaby (Marcia and Mike Nelson/Flickr)