Greenhouses
The history of greenhouses in Iceland is quite recent; the first geothermally heated greenhouse did not appear until 1924. Today, many commercial greenhouses can be found, particularly in the country’s southern region. These are most often used to grow produce and flowers. It is also common for people to have smaller greenhouses in their yards, though these are not always directly connected to geothermal sources. The geothermal resources and landscape of the country have played a significant role in food production throughout Iceland’s history, and the arrival of greenhouses provided Icelanders with an opportunity to more fully harness the geothermal resources around them. Today we can buy Icelandic tomatoes, cucumbers, and mushrooms year-round thanks to geothermally-heated greenhouses – a far cry from the availability of food in the past.
A woman waters plants in a greenhouse in Friðheimar. Through the glass, you can see the restaurant situated inside of the main greenhouse. Visitors can learn about the growing operations and enjoy food made from the produce grown in-house.
Before the arrival of greenhouses, Icelanders used geothermal water to heat soil to increase growing season and crop yield but were still limited in what they could grow. Volcanic eruptions, harsh winters, and other difficult growing conditions meant that successful harvests depended entirely on conditions outside of the control of the farmers. An eruption in the 1780s, for example, led to widespread destruction of both crops and livestock, and an estimated 25% of the population died due to the subsequent famine.
Living conditions in Iceland were often poor, and one of the largest waves of Icelandic emigration in the 19th century was caused in part by lack of food due to another series of volcanic eruptions. The first geothermally heated greenhouse in Iceland was built in 1924 in Mosfellsbær, and this marked the start of what would become a huge industry.
A group of people in a greenhouse in Mosfellssveit, taken between 1935-1940.
Farming today has been made easier and more productive thanks to many variables, including modern farming equipment, agricultural developments, and improved storage conditions. Easy access to food has also drastically improved, in part due to better farming and living conditions, and from a heavy reliance on imports. Many fruits, vegetables, and grains are still grown in Iceland, both in and outside of greenhouses. Greenhouses play an essential role in ensuring access to fresh produce year-round. Many people living in Iceland are proud to buy local produce, but perhaps do not always make the connection between the Icelandic tomatoes they put in their shopping cart and the geothermal resources that were used to grow them.
A girl picks tomatoes from the greenhouse at Friðheimar.
Today you can easily spot greenhouses dotting the landscape in Iceland, particularly in the southern region of the country. Anyone driving past Hveragerði will have noticed dozens of large greenhouses lining the road, and during the winter months, light pollution from greenhouses is easy to spot both in the city and countryside.
The greenhouses at Friðheimar in winter. There they grow tomatoes year-round, thanks to geothermal resources.
These greenhouses are used for growing vegetables, notably cabbage, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes. Fresh flowers and plants are also grown in greenhouses. While no longer sold, bananas have been grown in Iceland since the 1940’s.
There are many smaller-scale growing operations happening around the country, including herbs, raspberries, algae, and experimentation with hybrid fruits.
A couple admiring a banana plant in a greenhouse of the Horticulture School in Ölfus, taken between 1960-1970. While bananas are still grown in Iceland, they are no longer available for commercial sale.
Greenhouses now provide not only access to fresh produce and flowers, but also operate as tourist attractions and cafes. An Icelander from the early 20th century would likely get quite a pleasant shock if they were to walk into a grocery shop today – the variety and quantity of fresh produce in the dead of winter can be seen as a raging success.The next time you put local tomatoes, cucumbers, or mushrooms into your shopping basket, or buy a bouquet of locally-grown flowers, remember the proximity to the geothermal resources of the country.