In a continent as vast and varied as North America, a one-size-fits-all approach to berry propagation just doesn't cut it. That's the message from Dusty Zamecnik, owner of EZ Grow Farms, a Canadian strawberry propagator dedicated to its innovative strategies and purpose-built propagation facilities.
"We can't take a carte blanche approach. The variety program that works in Florida won't work in Quebec or British Columbia. Light levels, climate, marketing - everything's different. Our job is to find the right variety for the right location and support growers in growing it the right way.
With new greenhouse and high-tunnel operations springing up across North America, EZ Grow has been investing heavily in trialling different varieties under diverse conditions. "A greenhouse in Leamington might grow the same variety as one in British Columbia, but the way it's delivered and cultivated needs to be specific to that region," he explains. "We spend a lot of time building our relationships with breeders globally to be able to curate successful variety offerings, with growing knowledge behind it."
EZ Grow partners with growers to ensure success. "We worked with Growtec, SEF and AMA to build a fruiting facility where customers can come and see how varieties perform under real-world conditions," Dusty offers. "You can read about a variety in a breeder's newsletter, but nothing replaces seeing it fruit, tasting it, and discussing how to grow it successfully."
This hands-on, collaborative approach sets EZ Grow apart. "We don't just want to sell you a plant. We want to show you how we grew it and share multiple ways it can be grown. Then we offer support from our team to help implement those strategies." Dusty refers to their new 'Ed Zamecnik Berry Testing Centre', where they also recently appointed their own growing team dedicated for these trials.
© EZ Grow Farms
Introducing "fresh" plugs: A North American first
In April, Dusty shared that EZ Grow is testing "fresh" strawberry plugs, an exciting new offering that could reshape propagation offerings for many North American tunnel growers.
"We're testing the capabilities of our new facility by continually adding new plant style offerings. It's the first of its kind in North America, and it's all about giving growers more models for berry production."
Traditionally, many growers rely on frozen plants for propagation. EZ Grow's new fresh plugs (green, ambient-style plants) are a novel option especially geared toward the rising high tunnel segment.
"This concept is gaining traction in Europe," Dusty says. "But there's still a lot to figure out. We're investigating whether these fresh plants can go the distance through a full high tunnel season and help growers get more yield."
He adds, "It's about exploring what combination of frozen and fresh plants delivers the best results. Maybe it's not one or the other, but a healthy blend that manages production flushes while maximizing plant health and performance."
© EZ Grow Farms
Full season insights coming soon
While early fruiting results are promising, EZ Grow is focused on gathering comprehensive seasonal data. "We'll know a lot more by the end of this season. It's still early, but we're excited to be offering this option to growers knowledge centre now."
And it's not just about plant performance; it's also about hygiene. "When you're planting in the off-season, you have to stay ahead of pests and diseases. The physiological and biological variables are key. A fresh plant might allow the variety to reach its yield potential during different periods in a way that frozen plants can't always match."
Unlocking the full potential of a high-tech facility
EZ Grow's ability to pioneer this kind of innovation stems from its state-of-the-art greenhouse facility, which came fully online last year. "We're no longer in construction mode. All the wrinkles have been ironed out, and all the processes should be smooth now," Dusty shares.
Key new team members, like Kyle Dick – our new crop care specialist - are helping drive even greater results. "Kyle brings years of greenhouse experience, and he's a real bridge between the plant and the grower. With his insight, we're really dialling in how to get the absolute best out of our company."
Dusty describes the greenhouse as one of the premier propagation environments in North America. "We've got all the bells and whistles, but now it's about delivering results. This year, our sole focus is on optimizing production and quality. Our customers are excited, and so are we."
EZ Grow's specialization allows it to innovate without distraction. "We're one of the only strawberry-focused propagation companies in Northern America with this much range, which means we can dedicate our people, our space, and our time entirely to strawberry solutions. From the southern fields in Florida, to high-tech glass and every production style in between, we continually aim to be a full berry solutions partner."
For more information:
EZ Grow Farms
Dusty Zamecnik, General Manager
dusty@ezgrow.ca
www.ezgrow.ca