At strawberry nursery De Goeije Kroon in Dongen, things are buzzing with activity. In one greenhouse, strawberry plants are growing steadily, while just across the partition wall, excavators are preparing the ground for expansion. Owners Jeroen and Nancy Peeters are adding 1.25 hectares of new greenhouse space, and if all goes according to plan, young strawberry plants will be in place by early January.
The expansion will increase their total greenhouse area to 5 hectares. To make room, a small part of their tray field was converted for construction. "With our current combination of greenhouses and 2.6 hectares of tray fields, we're fully self-sufficient," explains Jeroen. "In the past, we also propagated plants for others, but nowadays we focus entirely on our own crops."
© De Goeije Kroon
Sequential and everbearing crops
Once completed, De Goeije Kroon will be operating across four greenhouse sections. In the new one, the couple plans to start with a fresh planting of the variety Sonsation, followed by a summer crop of Opera and then a successive crop of Elsanta. With this setup, and with different crop timings across the four sections, Jeroen and Nancy can spread their production year-round.
Their decision to stick with Elsanta in successive crops sets them apart, as fewer growers still work this way. "We continue to do it, with June-bearers," says Jeroen. Next year, everbearers will also make their debut at the nursery. "We'll start propagating them in our tray field and try them out in a small section."
Direct sales for community connection
Most of De Goeije Kroon's strawberries are marketed through The Greenery, with a small share sold directly at the farm. Nancy explains: "That's important to us, because our nursery is located close to the town. It's nice to show people who we are and what we do."
Their journey began in 2005, when Jeroen and Nancy bought an existing 1.2-hectare greenhouse in Dongen. After a minor renovation, they harvested their first strawberries in 2006. Since then, the business has grown steadily. A new greenhouse was added in 2020, followed by an additional tray field in 2023 (link in Dutch).
Choosing a 'Groen Label Kas'
The greenhouses built in 2008 and 2020 were both certified as Groen Label Kas (Green Label Greenhouses), a Dutch sustainability certification issued by Stichting Milieu Keur, the same body behind PlanetProof. This new greenhouse will also carry the certification. Nancy explains: "There are many requirements and extra investments involved, but we believe it pays off. It helps us reduce energy use and take another step forward in sustainability."
The nursery heats its greenhouses with a boiler and has also invested in solar panels. "We added them less than a year ago, and their capacity was calculated to cover this new expansion as well. That means we'll generate more of our own electricity. Feeding it back to the grid isn't possible here," says Nancy.
As for replacing the boiler, Jeroen and Nancy are watching new technologies closely, but they are cautious about being early adopters. "You can only spend each euro once. We're not here to build a testing ground," Jeroen laughs.
© De Goeije Kroon
Construction partners
For the new build, they are working with Jan Jansen from GIC, an experienced project manager who also oversaw recent greenhouse construction at Proefcentrum Hoogstraten. Nancy is full of praise: "He's been a great partner for us. We worked with him to prepare the specifications, and step by step through the whole process. We made all the purchases at the start of this year."
The new greenhouse itself is being built by Van Amelsvoort. Their neighbors, Schellekens Totaalprojecten, are handling the groundwork. Alweco will install double screening systems, while Cogas is responsible for water, electricity, and heating. Since they opted again for a Groen Label Kas, the Peeters family is also investing in Airmixer fans from Van der Ende Group, which will improve dehumidification when screens are in use.
Succession
The couple's son is about to begin his studies at HAS University of Applied Sciences and is showing interest in joining the business in the future. With him in mind, Jeroen and Nancy keep a close eye on developments in cultivation technology. Time permitting, they plan to visit the upcoming International Strawberry Mechanisation and Demonstration Fair in Hoogstraten to explore the latest innovations.
For more information:
De Goeije Kroon
[email protected]
https://www.degoeijekroon.nl/
