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WHY IS NIAGARA THE "FRUIT BELT"?

THE NIAGARA PENINSULA GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND SOIL

In all of Canada, the only provinces capable of growing the large quantity of tender fruit and grapes needed for commercial production are Ontario and British Columbia. In Ontario the largest and most important area for growing tender fruit is the Niagara Peninsula. The unique climate of the Niagara Peninsula has given the growers in Grimsby and the surrounding area an advantage. Both Lake Ontario and the Escarpment contribute to the moderate climate.

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The Niagara Escarpment, a mass of sedimentary rock, has been dated by scientists to the pre-glacial period. The escarpment has a height of 180-195 m above sea level and the fertile growing area below the escarpment is about 100 m above sea level. Both the escarpment and the location of Lake Ontario have given this area a unique climate. The lake moderates the temperature, keeping the area cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. During the summer Lake Ontario absorbs heat, thereby cooling the surrounding area, and then slowly releases this stored energy during the winter. The Niagara Escarpment reflects the winds from the lake back over the orchards and vineyards, both modifying the temperature and providing airflow over the orchards and vineyards. This moderated climate allows a longer growing season and helps to protect the tender fruit from frost, making the region one of the best fruit production areas in the country.

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A wide variety of soil types is present on the agricultural land in the Niagara Peninsula and this allows fruit trees to thrive in their preferred soil type. Most of the sand and gravel soils are along Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. This soil is preferred for growing berries, nectarines, peaches, apricots and cherries. The other soil type common to the area is silt and clay loam which is the choice for growing grapes, apples, plums and pears.

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When Nature Smiles - Springtime in the Blossoming Orchard
20th Century, Circa 1918
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Produced By the Canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau, Circa 1918. Copyright: National Film Board of Canada

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LOCAL FAVOURITES

The Niagara Region, including Grimsby, is known around the world for the production of tender fruits and the Niagara Peninsula is frequently referred to as the 'fruit belt'. Locally grown favourites include peaches, pears, sweet and sour cherries, plums, apricots, nectarines, apples, tomatoes and grapes. There is also a wide variety of berries including strawberries and raspberries. While still grown today, gooseberries, quinces and currants are not as popular as in previous years.

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When Nature Smiles - Local Fruits
20th Century, Circa 1918
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Produced By the Canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau, Circa 1918. Copyright: National Film Board of Canada

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PEACHES

The peach is known as the tenderest of the large fruits grown in Ontario. It is also one of the most popular. The Grimsby and surrounding districts became the main peach growing areas in the Niagara Region because the well-suited climate and soil conditions contribute to perfect growing conditions.

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Peaches: Best of the Old and New
20th Century, Circa 1940
Helderleigh Nursery, E. D. Smith Property, Winona, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Donated by the Niagara Fruit Institute
Grimsby Museum Collection

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In 1880, many published books and papers mentioned that the Niagara Peninsula was a leader in peach production because of the perfect growing conditions. An article published for the Ontario Fruit Growers Association's 80th anniversary indicates that the "...first commercial peaches were planted in 1856 by Mr. A. M. Smith and Mr. Charles Woolverton."

The area between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment in Grimsby is the best area for peaches. During the height of the agricultural industry most farms had a peach orchard, some containing as many as two thousand trees. Peaches were shipped by train to maritime ports and then transferred to transatlantic ships. It was difficult for the farmers to meet the demands for peaches and the basket factories were kept busy year-round producing sufficient numbers of baskets. The peach was one of Grimsby's most popular and profitable fruits.

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Peach Fruit and Branches
21st Century, Circa 2008
Bridgman Farm, Winona, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Bridgman, Anne

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Peach Tree
21st Century, Circa 2008
Jordan Harbour, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Niagara Fruit Institute

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Peach Blossoms
21st Century, Circa 2008
Jordan Harbour, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Niagara Fruit Institute

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Peaches
21st Century, Circa 2008
Bridgman Farm, Winona, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Bridgman, Anne

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NECTARINES

Nectarines are another popular crop in Grimsby. They are delicate to grow, but thrive in the Grimsby area because of growing conditions. Many people believe that nectarines are a crossbreed between a peach and a plum. This is not the case; they are instead a peach with different 'DNA'. It is possible for nectarines and peaches to grow together on the same tree. Nectarines are commonly smaller and sweeter than peaches. Unlike a peach, the skin of a nectarine is smooth and this intensifies the red colour. Nectarines can be mistaken for plums because of their smaller size and red skin.