Kitchen garden

Seeds and plants for your own vegetable garden

Organic growing starts with a healthy foundation

A vegetable garden for everyone — even without a large garden

Herbs are the foundation of your kitchen

Frequently asked questions about the organic vegetable garden

• When should you start your organic vegetable garden?
  That depends on what you want to grow. You can start early herbs and cold-hardy crops such as spinach as early as February–March. Heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and courgettes should be sown indoors from February–March, and planted outdoors after the Ice Saints (mid-May). Fruit bushes and perennials such as raspberries, blackberries and asparagus are best planted in spring or early autumn.
• What are the easiest vegetable garden plants for beginners?
  Start with crops that produce results quickly and require little attention. Basil, mint and thyme will grow even on a sunny windowsill. Strawberries bear fruit in their first summer and return every year thereafter. Raspberries are virtually maintenance-free after the first year. Peas and radishes are the quickest-growing vegetables — the former can sometimes be harvested after just a month. Choose a few varieties that you really want to eat; that way, you’ll naturally stay motivated.
• How do organically grown vegetable garden plants and seeds differ from conventionally grown ones?
  Organically grown plants and seeds come from certified growers who work without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers. The starting material itself is always organic too. In practice, this means: healthier soil around the plant, no residues of chemical substances on or in the plant, and a cultivation system that actively supports soil life and biodiversity. All products in this category are certified with the NL-BIO-01 quality mark, the Dutch certificate for organic cultivation which is inspected annually.
• Can you grow organic vegetable plants in a pot or container?
  Absolutely. Many of the products in this range are ideal for pots, vegetable containers or raised beds. Strawberries, herbs and smaller vegetable seeds thrive in a container 20–30 centimetres deep. Fruit bushes such as blueberries and raspberries need a large pot (at least 40–50 litres) but will also grow in containers. Always use light, organic potting compost and ensure good drainage. In a pot, the soil dries out more quickly, so watering requires a little more attention.
• Are fruit bushes and shrubs organic too?
  Yes. All the fruit bushes and shrubs in this range — blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants and grapevines — are organically grown and certified with the NL-BIO-01 label. They are supplied as potted, rooted plants, ready for planting. Fruit bushes are perennial plants that produce a harvest year after year; a one-off investment that pays for itself year after year in punnets of fresh berries from your own garden.