Under the motto ‘Growing together’, Plantarium, international fair for the nursery stock industry, and trade fair Groen-Direkt worked together. Two fairs took place on 22/23/24 August 2018, under one roof in Boskoop, The Netherlands. To show how cooperation leads to a greener world gardener ‘Willemstein Hoveniers’ was invited to create the welcome garden of the fair. Because working together is what they proved to do best. Willemstein’s sustainable and colourful garden gave a face to the slogan “Let’s make the world greener together”.
Earlier in 2018, Willemstein Hoveniers was awarded as most sustainable gardener of The Netherlands for the third time. Founder and owner Sjaak Willemstein works together with nature which leads to a living garden. Flowers flourish, the garden offers a great home for insects, it attracts animals and for humans it is a delightful place to stay in. In the design, landscaping and maintenance of a living garden, sustainable choices are made for the collection of rainwater, health of the soil and planting that are locally fit.
Rainwater during heavy rainfall is collected in Rainblocks, modern and functional designed replacements of the traditional rain barrel. Rainblocks are rain barrels that can be put together like Lego-blocks until the desired capacity for rainwater storage is reached. At the same time the Rainblocks may function as a fence or wall. Overflow can be directed to a wadi, that offers a home to insects and drinking place for animals. Pavement in a green garden is limited and where necessary Willemstein chooses water permeable pavement. The fences that are used are made of sustainable, local wood, like chestnut, or ready available materials are re-used.
Together with Leuverink Tuinen the colourful garden has been laid out with perennial plants from a specific ‘perennial plant concept’ of the supplier Griffioen. Plants are planted close to each other to keep weeds out. Bees are welcomed to nest in a wall made of BugInn’s, prize winning insect hotels of Dutch design. The BugInn is a concrete brick with a replaceable core and protecting front to be used as a durable alternative for wooden insect hotels. Of course, Willemstein doesn’t use artificial fertilisers, pesticides or insecticides. The health of the soil is improved by using fermented compost. “Now we want to inspire people all over the world to work with nature by choosing for a living garden and use our selected, sustainable garden products”, says Sjaak Willemstein, “A sustainable garden makes our living environment greener. Your garden becomes a green and living experience.”
For more information:
www.plantarium.nl
www.willemsteinhoveniers.nl
www.deduurzametuin.nl