Grozone Greenhouse

Tucked away in a rural area northeast of High River, Grozone’s sprawling greenhouse complex covers over 400,000 square feet. Walls of double-poly stretch in all directions and shoot off from an L-shaped breezeway. Inside this massive group of buildings are tens of thousands of plants at all stages of development. The rows of greenhouses are filled with a colourful riot of flowers and plants and while some areas are seas of green, others are already in bloom or just pushing delicate baby leaves through the soil. The scent is heavenly and though most Calgarians will never know the unique and intricately crafted tropical world where some of Calgary Co-op’s spring plants start their lives, since this greenhouse is off limits to the public, we can take comfort in the fact that Grozone plants are grown to the highest standards.

It’s in this warm, tropical environment, months ago, that the plants you’re seeing arrive at Calgary Co-op were sowed and started to grow. As the plants are grown in different stages, there are always fresh flowers and plants for Calgary Co-op customers.

Grozone Greenhouse has been co-owned by Daljit Balshin and Linda, Harry & Curtis Lively since 2007. All the plants Grozone supplies are grown and tended under the transparent roofs here in Alberta, meaning they’re able to thrive in our local environment. Grozone plants leave the greenhouse in the morning and can be enjoying a new home by lunch time.

It takes a legion of plant experts to make this massive greenhouse operation sing. With a team of experts including Robert, Cathy and Melissa (office), Linda R. (finances), Doriane (sales), Murray and Luis (greenhouse managers) plus sixty very knowledgeable workers, Grozone ensures that every aspect of the growing cycle, from seed to sprout to store, is handled efficiently.

Grozone supplies Calgary Co-op a huge variety of hanging baskets, planters and bedding plants along with herbs and vegetable plants. Earlier in the year, Easter Lilies and Hydrangeas are available and Mums, in various colours and combination planters, are grown for Fall sales.

Every year, Grozone grows new and varied plants and a tour of the greenhouse by store and greenhouse managers is a great way to see all that we do. Our Calgary Co-op day takes place in mid-April and we are always pleased to see Calgary Co-op store employees. “Our relationship with Calgary Co-op is so important to us”, explains Robert Nipp. “Calgary Co-op has been a huge supporter of Grozone from the beginning, and we’re grateful for their support and interest in our products.”