Silverhill Apple Orchard

Silverhill Apple Orchard is a six acre tree fruit and berry orchard owned and operated by Sonja and Raymond Barker in the beautiful Silverhill area of Southwest Mission. The Barkers have been farming in Mission since 1992. Silverhill is one of the last remaining apple orchards in the Fraser Valley as most of the apples in grown in BC are from the Okanagan. The Barkers use a unique growing method which allows them to grown the highest quality apples right here in the Valley.

At Silverhill they grow their apples, cherries, peaches and tomatoes under ‘Haygrove Crop Tunnels’ planted in high density systems. Growing in crop tunnels eliminates the need for pesticides and protects crops from the elements. They irrigate and fertilize through a trickle system to conserve water and avoid leaching of phosphates into the water table. The crop tunnels, along with their holistic approach, enable them to grow using the most up to date and environmentally friendly growing methods. Their ‘Albion’ everbearing strawberries are also grown in the tunnels on raised tables in containers using coconut fibre, a renewable resource. This avoids soil borne diseases and fungal contamination.

Crop tunnels are predominantly used in Europe and offer benefits which include a longer growing season, better quality and yield from crops, reduced pest and fungal diseases – which allows for reduced or eliminated use of pesticides and fungicides. The Barkers are the only known farmers in BC who have adopted this technology. They are considered innovative farmers who keep on top of changing technology to try to find the most environmentally friendly and suitable growing methods to ensure the success of their farm for the long term.

The Barkers offer you many popular older varieties as well as the best of the modern Apples, all of which are tested in cakes, sauces and pies. They also grow 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. The Barkers grow a plethora of other vegetables and offer value added products such as jams, vinegars and Sonja’s famous Apple Pies.  They are open for farm gate sales during the summer and fall (please inquire about times and availability).

Silverhill Apple Orchard
30111 Silverhill Ave, Mission, BC V4S 1H9
Phone: 604.820.7957