With tomatoes and peppers from unexposed cultivation, Landgard is bringing the first fresh summer vegetables from the region on the market in Germany in the middle of March. Due to the sunny weather in February, member companies of the producers' cooperative in northern Germany and the Lower Rhine will probably start harvesting the first fresh Minicherry tomatoes of the high-quality varieties "Rivolo", "Sweetelle" mini-tomatoes and vine tomatoes "Lyterno" in their greenhouses in week 12. At the beginning of April, the tomatoes of the new variety "Romindo" will be ready, followed by the Romaris "Ardiles" and also the cherry tomatoes "Brioso".
Carsten Knodt is a member of Neurather Gärtner and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Landgard.
"We also expect the first red, yellow, orange or green domestic peppers from German soil before Easter, from week 15 onwards," announces Labinot Elshani, chief representative of fruit and vegetables at Landgard. "Products from regional cultivation combine high quality with sustainable benefits for our customers. Short transport routes between regional producers and local retailers reduce CO2 emissions and conserve valuable resources. At the same time, the promotion of regional products makes an important contribution to the preservation of indigenous varieties, supports domestic farms, thus securing jobs and strengthening the economic power in the respective region."
Modern cultivation technique and diversity of varieties
On around 100 hectares, Landgard members in North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony produce tomatoes and bell peppers through protected cultivation under glass using state-of-the-art technology. If so desired, they can be lighted all year round. Last year alone, Landgard marketed over 40,000 tonnes of freshly harvested summer vegetables - and there is an upward trend. In order to be able to provide the consumers with peculiar German vegetables, the Landgard companies are always working on new varieties that will offer an even better taste experience than previously established varieties.
Honey drops
With the new brand "Honey Drops", Landgard delivers especially small cocktail tomatoes or Minicherry tomatoes which are 
particularly popular in this country because of their high Brix value. Meanwhile, the first "Honey drop" batches are commercially available. Discussions are currently taking place as to how the new "Honey Drop" tomatoes can be offered in the coming winter season as a new premium variety for twelve months, as well as for retail consumers.