Our History

C.N. Vreeken (Kees) had previously worked in the seed trade at Fa. van Namen Zaden (Zwijndrecht). He was co-director and married to Jacoba van Namen. His father was a barge skipper on the Haarlemmermeer; the family sought other sources of income after the reclamation. Mendel's laws (rediscovered around 1900) apparently fascinated Kees endlessly. He started as a pioneer in breeding work. His knowledge of the languages surrounding the Netherlands helped him quickly establish good contacts. I fully understand why he started his own business in 1926 (a matter of genes). He bought a building on the Voorstraat in Dordrecht (we are still there) and also leased land for the breeding programs. During that time, many vegetable crops were cultivated and, where possible, improved. A magnificent assortment of original varieties from Vreeken's Zaden emerged. Varieties were also imported from countries such as France and Denmark, with restrictions on exclusive sales in the Netherlands.

The sale of seeds often occurred through an ingenious system of agencies. My father used to tell me that he regularly had to visit all the agents to discuss business with them. Back then, traveling to all corners of the Netherlands was certainly not easy! The discussions, of course, revolved around payments and sales results. The 1930s were not easy, but there was always food on the table. By then, Kees had several sons in the business, and warehouses in the city center were bought or rented to accommodate the massive influx of seeds. In addition, we were active as a garden store from the very beginning, at that time, for example, the only bulb seller with some assortment in the city. In the autumn, a ship's hold full of peat moss was traded to gardeners and larger garden owners. You might still remember them? Those compressed 50-kilo bales, held together with slats and wire.... In 1938, a large fire broke out in the building on Voorstraat. A huge disaster. Much starting material was lost, but could partially be recovered from customers. The building was rebuilt and renovated. In the end, such a new start is not bad; I still owe a solid building to it!

We got through the war years well. Trade with Germany was absolutely taboo for my grandfather in the years '40-'45, not least because his eldest son (my uncle Ton, after whom I am named) was killed (by friendly fire) during the May days of 1940. A huge multitude of short-term laborers passed through in those years. They worked for food, food was grown. In the last winter of the war, many kilos of seed (beans) also ended up in the pan. As a joke, more to test if it was possible, Kees developed the red Brussels sprout 'Rubine'. Around 1950, the red sprout was ready and even appeared (once) on Queen Juliana's menu! Unfortunately, the variety was never picked up by anyone in a hybridization program. It could have become a new vegetable and then had the remarkable characteristic: mild in taste and smell. A characteristic that is only now breaking through in the green sprout and is being pushed. Incidentally, we still sell the Red Sprout; the yield is small, but the plant is very ornamental in winter and the harvest is very special!

In 1956, Cornelis Nicolaas died of heart failure. The company had by then been taken over by his son Wim (my father), who, like his father, was passionate about breeding. And not without success. With simple means, great insight, and a keen eye for the profession, he developed top varieties of crops such as celeriac, onions, bush beans, pole beans, pole snap beans, leeks, cucumbers, and lettuce. Some you still encounter today: bush bean Prelude (who doesn't know it) was sold to Royal Sluis, as was pole bean Largo. Bush bean Montano ended up with Holland Select.

The 60s and 70s were tough years. Upscaling and technical sophistication in the seed business were difficult to achieve in our small company. The agents and representatives were 'sold' to Royal Sluis. Vegetable breeding continued unabated; the results went to the highest bidder. During that time, we opened the first garden center in the wider area. The private market is manageable and fascinating. This is where I, as a teenager (born in 1958), entered the picture, dividing my attention between the shop, the trial garden, and the garden center. At the age of 16, the decision had to be made: 'Are you joining the business or not?' There was nothing I wanted more (after finishing school first), and I have never regretted it.

My father continued his work under the wing of Holland Select (Andijk) and later for several other companies. At 80, he completed his last project. This marked the end of his development of proprietary varieties.

My passion was and is building collections and offering them to growers and hobby gardeners. This has now grown into an impressive collection of old and new varieties. Seeds of vegetables and fruits, medicinal and culinary herbs, annual and perennial flowers, wildflowers, green manures, (sub)tropical plants... Sales are 'at home' or by mail order. This is now the time for garden clubs, growers looking for new crops, organic farmers and restaurants who have special crops grown for an original menu. What a fascinating profession we have! Weekly I discover new possibilities or learn something from a fellow professional or specialized hobbyist (now spread worldwide).

Vreeken's Zaden has therefore stopped participating in the race for resistance. We limit cultivation to the propagation of special varieties. This is done under contract with specialized growers, including on Tholen. Our "calling and mission": to bring together a unique assortment and introduce species or varieties to the hobby market.

Ton Vreeken