Dutch grower switches from conventional to biodynamic

Rob and Sandra van Paassen are the proud owners of a charming horticultural company in Oude Leede, South Holland. With great care they grow several breeds of biodynamic cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplants and lots of pepper varieties.

Until 1997, Rob ran the business with his father. When his father retired, Rob and his wife Sandra took over the company completely and grew conventionally for a couple of years.

Rob wanted to work more with cycles and be less dependent on plastic and rock wool. And Rob and Sandra were ready for a new challenge, so in 2010 they started the exciting process of transitioning to a biodynamic company. Courses were followed, existing organic farms visited, biological control methods examined, and the search for a good market for their biodynamic products began - ending at Nautilus Organic. Although Rob’s father first regarded the couples’ plans with suspicion, he also became more and more enthusiastic. In the 'new' approach he recognized a lot from the past and he also saw Rob and Sandra’s enthusiasm grow.

An example of biological control are the celery plants at the front of the rows of peppers. The celery plants attract the natural enemies of aphids and other pests, so they help Rob and Sandra to keep their plants healthy.

In all those years there are also things that haven’t changed. The cucumbers are best if they're picked before noon. So the working day in the greenhouses in Oude Leede begins around half past six.

Cucumbers are cucumbers, right? Not for Rob. He grows several types of cucumbers. Each with their own look and special taste.

Rob effortlessly sums them up. From Jalapeño to Habanero. And from Rawit to Scotch Bonnet. Rob and Sandra’s greenhouses are ideal for growing peppers. With their hectares of greenhouses they aren’t one of the larger greenhouse growers, but their overseeable dimensions do provide opportunities for smaller crops such as these peppers.

Horses also have their home near Rob’s greenhouses. The horses graze on organic pastures around the greenhouses and provide the necessary fertilizer. Because the horses’ fertilizer is not quite enough for a healthy soil, Rob works with organic rancher John Duindam of Hoeve Biesland. So the fertilizer from this company is also put to good use.

Rob also has a tidbit for anyone who wonders why organic cucumbers sometimes look a bit 'dusty'. That substance is silicon (silicic acid), which naturally occurs on the plant. This makes it easy to recognize a real organic cucumber. The silicon on the skin is typical of cucumbers grown organically in soil. It makes the cucumber resilient against pesky fungi like mildew. In short, nature gives the grower a hand.

Looking for a good market for their biodynamic products, Rob and Sandra became a member of Nautilus Organic in 2011. All biodynamic cucumbers, peppers, sweet peppers and eggplants are sold through Nautilus Organic. A large part of the products also end up at the organic label Nature & More from Eosta. Once they had so many peppers that they ended up with a producer of organic sambal. The cooperative aspect is important for this small business. Thanks to the cooperation with fellow members Rob and Sandra's products are sold at fair and competitive prices.