No. 177: Egg hunting, seed sowing!

A few newsletters ago, Ton announced special tomato varieties. These varieties are unique because our grower succeeded in keeping them very healthy. Through clever cross-breeding, strong resistance to Phytophthora has been developed in many varieties. This is the dreaded potato blight, which also does its disastrous work on its relative, the tomato, in wet summers. A month ago, some people already received a package in their mailbox to test it out, but they are now also available for you to order via our website. All 10 varieties are now available and can be ordered via our website.

We have added two new colors of hyssop to our range: a variety with pink and white flower spikes and a variety with white flower spikes. Hyssop is a versatile plant that has been used for centuries as both a culinary herb and a medicinal herb. The aromatic leaves have a spicy, slightly bitter taste and pair well with meat dishes, soups, and salads.

In addition, hyssop is known for its soothing effect on coughs and colds and is often used in herbal tea. Hyssop is also a valuable plant in the garden: its flowers attract bees and butterflies, contributing to biodiversity.

Carrots can be sown from February/March onwards and are therefore ideal to plant in the garden now. Even if you don't have a large garden, you don't have to miss out: many carrot varieties also grow perfectly well in pots or containers on a balcony or terrace. Of course, we also have varieties that thrive perfectly in open ground.

Our collection is surprisingly colourful! In addition to the classic orange carrots, we have summer and winter carrots in red, purple, white and yellow. This way, you not only bring flavour, but also colour to your plate and to your garden.

Carrots are not only tasty, they are also healthy and rich in vitamins. By growing them yourself, you know exactly what ends up on your plate, and it also gives a sense of satisfaction to harvest your own produce from the ground.

The base of the plant consists of a clump of thin but sturdy, lance-shaped leaves, much like a clump of glossy, dark green foliage. This base is very frost-resistant and evergreen, provided the plants are in full sun and the soil is not too wet. In summer, white, wine-red, dark pink, and light pink, spherical flower heads appear on medium-height stems (40–50 cm high). This perennial plant produces strong cut flowers.

Insects are indispensable in the garden. They not only pollinate flowers and plants, but also help with natural pest control. By providing insects with a good home, you contribute to a healthy and vibrant garden.

We currently have 3 different insect hotels, each tailored to specific species:

Size S: Aimed at butterflies and bees – ideal for smaller gardens or balconies.
Size M: Aimed at bees, lacewings, ladybirds, and earwigs – a nice balance between pollinators and natural predators.
Size L: Aimed at bees, lacewings, ladybirds, earwigs, and butterflies – perfect for those who want to attract as many insects as possible.

Choose the size that best suits your garden and give insects a helping hand!

Order Insect Hotels

In addition to these insect hotels, we also have insect nests, specifically aimed at different insect species. These include bumblebees, bees, butterflies, and ladybirds. View our entire range of insect nests below:

This evergreen Agapanthus has an extra compact growth habit, forming a beautiful, dense clump of leaves. In summer, the plant blooms with sky (light) blue flowers that give a lovely, airy appearance. The plant is reasonably hardy, but some protection is needed during severe frost to preserve the flowers and foliage.

It is not difficult to offer rare cyclamen tubers. Whether or not they have been plundered from the wild, there is a lively trade worldwide. Unfortunately, only a portion of the tubers truly thrive in the garden. We have the solution for this: every variety we supply is grown in a pot in the Netherlands and has already developed foliage, so we dare to guarantee regrowth! When planting, it is important to mix the potting soil from the pots with the surrounding soil; otherwise, the tubers may remain too wet.

The tastiest tropical leafy vegetable (according to many)! Dasheen bush is very popular in Suriname as a stir-fry dish. The leaves are ready in 2–3 minutes and make a wonderfully soft, spinach-like dish. Its nickname "butter leaf" says it all… Delicious with ginger, for example! The veins and stem (peeled), finely chopped, can be cooked a little longer. We supply tubers, which grow into large plants that can only be kept outdoors in summer (from full sun to partial shade). Give them very humus-rich soil and keep the soil constantly moist.