The Field Guideby Moss & MarrowZelfoogsttuin De Groentemeester
- Organic methods: no synthetic pesticides or fertiliser, not certified
De Groentemeester is a self-harvest garden (zelfoogsttuin) of about half a hectare on the grounds of the former natural ice rink in Maassluis-Oost, where one grower and a group of volunteers grow 90 to 100 kinds of vegetables and herbs for members who pick their own.
The planting is planned so that at least four or five vegetables are ready each week, from a list that includes beetroot, kohlrabi, broad beans and tomatoes. No pesticides or artificial fertiliser are used; instead the grower relies on organic manure, crop rotation, a wide mix of crops and physical covers against pests.
Joining as a harvest member (oogstgenoot) means paying a fixed amount at the start of the season for a share that feeds one or two people each week for 25 to 30 weeks, from about mid-May to the end of November, so members share the risk of a good or poor season with the grower. The garden is open for harvesting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00, and a weekly email says what to pick and how. Vegetables are not sold loose, though anyone may pick flowers from about June to mid-October.
The largest machine on the garden is a two-wheel tractor, used only to prepare the beds; the rest of the work is done by hand.