…Tomato cultivation in the most modern, sustainable way
Traveling around Iceland, one sees that everyone cares about the healthy and clean environment at every step, it is one of the cleanest countries in the world! Iceland is one of the countries with the highest quality of life in the world. Hardly any crime, a child-friendly social system, hardly any pollution and a high life expectancy are just a few of the factors why Iceland does so well in international rankings. The Icelanders cover most of their energy needs with geothermal and hydrothermal plants. While exploring the country, we came across an exemplary project in terms of sustainability… the ‘tomato world’ in Friðheimar!
Reykholt is a village consisting of one street and many greenhouses. It’s on the Golden Circle, the route one takes to see as much as possible that Iceland is known for: geysers, waterfalls, national parks, vast open spaces, and Iceland horses. A special place is the organic tomato farm Friðheimar. Here, it’s all about the red vegetables. The family business of Knútur Rafn Ármann and his wife Helena Hermundardóttir was founded in 1995 and has been run by the couple and their five children ever since. In Friðheimar, Iceland horses are bred with six broodmares and tomatoes are grown all year round in brightly lit greenhouses. Even during Iceland’s long and dark winters. In addition, guests are welcomed in the visitor greenhouses and may taste the harvest.
Ever since the family moved to Friðheimar, they have specialized in cultivating tomatoes. They are interested in increasing the variety of tomatoes on the Icelandic market. For example, they were the first to grow plum tomatoes and cocktail tomatoes in Iceland on a year-round basis. Most recently, the delicious piccolo tomato was introduced. The principle here is always to grow top-quality tomatoes and at the same time to maintain environmental standards. The tomatoes are grown in an environmentally friendly way all year round using the latest technology. Renewable energy, pure water and biological pest control give tasty and healthy tomatoes.
At the farm, vermin are dealt with using biological pest control. The most effective method is to use the assassin bug Macrolophus Pygmaeus, which devours the most typical vermin. They also strive to manage temperature, humidity, and watering well enough for plants to thrive. Tomatoes are cultivated in turf in Friðheimar. About 600 bumblebees make a significant contribution to the harvest. They fly through the greenhouses and pollinate the plants. The farm has abundant geothermal water that provides heat to the greenhouses. The pure cold water for watering the plants comes from a nearby spring.
In addition to the impressive garden area of approx. 5000m², of which around 4200m² are used under glass for cultivation, there is another highlight on the farm, the Ármann family’s restaurant. One eats in a greenhouse and feels like in paradise. One can see how tomatoes and fresh basil grow and enjoys delicacies all arund the apple of paradise: choosing, for example, between the legendary tomato soup with homemade bread, fresh pasta (of course with tomato sauce), Mozzarella cheese with tomato and basil, tortillas with tomatoes, tomato ice cream, cheesecake or apple crumble cake with tomato jam, or even tomato beer and tomato schnapps! Tomato delicacies to take away are of course also available!
