After a difficult period, during which we too kept a tight grip on our purse strings, there are now opportunities to invest again. And before we do that, we naturally have to look at what is needed. Well, there was certainly no shortage of that! Slowly but surely, the changes are starting to take shape. We would love to walk you through the investments we have made over the past while.
First things first: the greenhouse
In July we renewed the roof of the potting shed. It was still fitted with asbestos panels, so it was quite an operation involving men in white suits and a large crane. The roof panels were removed and new panels were then installed in their place.
In addition, the entire greenhouse is now fitted with insect netting. This allows us to limit our use of pesticides, which are generally biological. Bugs from outside can no longer get into the greenhouse, the netting provides optimal ventilation and protects the crop from rain getting in. The netting also protects our plants from dust, weed seeds, twigs and nuisance caused by birds. Whitefly, moths and aphids now stay outside the door, or rather… Outside the window! 😉
Especially during the propagation phase, the new insect netting means we need less pest control. It also stops larger swarms of thrips and spider mites from getting in. At the moment we are working hard to combat the bugs that are still present, but in the longer term the netting is going to bring us quite a few benefits! Our crops will become cleaner and stronger.
A new floor and a new shed
11 years ago our company was extended at the rear. To do this, a ditch had to be relocated. At the spot in the greenhouse where the ditch used to be, the concrete floor had started to subside. Watering the plants accurately was no longer possible. The plants in the middle of the section were getting too much water, while the outer plants were drying out. An external company spent a few days raising the concrete floor and making it level again. Foam concrete (liquid concrete) was injected underneath the concrete floor and in this way the concrete floor was made level again. A remarkably skilful piece of work!!
This week we also completed the work on the shed. The delivery team wanted more space to prepare the goods for transport. With more space they can work more efficiently and don’t have to handle a load several times. All of this ensures that the plants are once again in the exporter’s box on time! Although there was not much space, we still managed to add 35 m2.
After all these renovations and adjustments, there are of course still wishes! In one part of the nursery it is already possible, but from a cultivation perspective the wish is to be able to add the biology through the water line in the other part of the nursery as well. This ensures precise dosing, which of course benefits quality. All in all, you can safely conclude that we are not standing still. We are looking forward to the future!
