No. 126: Empty Crates.

We have a sizeable team (now well over thirty people), so we can maintain continuity, but this week I was scratching my (somewhat sick) head. It shouldn't get much crazier because certain important tasks are still pending... I hope (for the sick colleagues and for the business) that we only have to manage for another week at most and then we'll be back at full strength.

Everyone is eager to get started; fortunately, the waiting time for our orders has already been significantly shortened. For sowing eggplant, bell pepper, and chili pepper, it's getting a bit late now, unless you're growing them in a greenhouse, then it's still just possible. The good news is that we now sell plants of these fruit vegetables; most of them aren't on our website because shipping is quite delicate.

We have put together an interesting chili pepper package for you (link to 880160), which (for now) is also only for pickup; I find them too fragile for shipping (still). See further in this Newsletter.

You can still sow tomatoes; they grow quite fast, and sowing at the end of April often even results in stronger plants than a month earlier. Furthermore, seed potatoes and summer-flowering bulbs can now be planted without problems. We still have a nice assortment of both groups.

Are you fond of sowing? Besides the aforementioned fruit vegetables, almost everything can still be sown; the next 2 months are ideal for most crops, including flower seeds, of course.

Finally, a great tip from our customer Martin to prevent onion fly: A few years ago, I read a very interesting article about growing onion sets. The man who wrote the article planted his onions at different times. In short, the best period was late April/early May. He planted the onions and covered them with a layer of hay. Nets over them because otherwise, the hay would be gone in no time. The onion fly apparently doesn't like the hay or is distracted by the smell and thus doesn't detect the onions. I've been doing this for at least 5 years now, and the yield is phenomenal, and I rarely have rotten or affected onions. Several fellow gardeners on our complex have adopted this method. My onions are always harvestable in August.

In winter, we sold hundreds of tubers, which you could use to propagate and grow young plants. Now comes the period when our growers offer the young plants they have cultivated themselves. This year they are extra affordable! You can plant them outdoors now, but if cold nights are still expected, you should protect them with fleece. Of course, you can also care for them close to home and plant them out in May.

Especially for you, we had 5 varieties from our seed assortment grown. They were sown in January and cultivated with love and care. The nice thing about these peppers is that they are totally different: from very mild to extremely hot! You can find the 5 varieties on the website, or you can view them here.

Please note: the plants can only be ordered if you come and pick them up!

Fresh from Florida, over 1000 beautiful tubers of this very popular foliage plant arrived this week. It can be grown in the garden, in pots, or as a houseplant. You'll find many enthusiasts online who are already proud owners of this elegant plant(s). We offer the tubers in the largest (Jumbo) size, which guarantees successful growth.

In just over 1 week (April 22), they will arrive again: the aromatic and unique Curry Leaf Trees. I've already mentioned them in previous newsletters. You managed to collectively order a truckload, thanks for that! A few dozen more can still be added, so if you're in doubt, check here for more information.

From England, we imported 3 different, very handy cultivation kits. We used to buy similar items in Sweden, but the English sets are comparable in sturdiness, the plastic is more environmentally friendly, and the sets are much cheaper!

Get to know these excellent products; the detailed description can be found on the website. Photos will be added from Saturday, but if you click this link, you will see the English website with pictures.

As I mentioned earlier, our Jerusalem Artichoke harvest was enormous and we are currently selling the last tens of kgs. This is your chance to purchase these healthy and easy-to-grow tubers!

For a very long time, we sold a wide range of garden hoses, pumps, couplings, and the like. At some point, there was simply no more space for them.

There are still 4 rolls (25 m) of ½” hose, reinforced, extremely strong, kink-resistant. These can go for €15.00 per roll!

Then we have another roll of approximately 50 m (maybe slightly less) of 3/4" hose, so extra large diameter. A thick hose is ideal for mounting to transport water over longer distances. The larger the diameter, the less pressure loss!
A great bargain for an allotment association or people with very large gardens. This hose is red transparent and very thick-walled. The entire roll can go for €50.00

Are you interested in these garden hoses? Send us an email to info@vreeken.nl
First come, first served!