In the Dutch province of Zeeland, organic grower Jaël van Brakel ran a pick-your-own greenhouse concept called Oogstuuntje for several years, allowing consumers to harvest their own organic vegetables at his nursery in Poortvliet. The concept, launched together with his then-partner, gained a following, but proved financially unsustainable over time.
"Everything is getting more expensive," Van Brakel says, explaining the decision to discontinue the concept. Regional broadcaster Omroep Zeeland visited the greenhouse and reported that Van Brakel saw opportunities in local sales of vegetables and fruit.
Ultimately, the concept demanded more labour than initially anticipated, particularly alongside a large-scale organic production operation. Revenue from the Oogstuuntje also fell short of what the production greenhouse generated. With the relationship with his partner also ending, the decision was made to close the pick-your-own operation. Loyal followers on Facebook have reacted with disappointment. Van Brakel shares that sentiment. "Many people really enjoyed coming here. Over three years, we built up a loyal customer base."
© Van Brakel Organic
Extra section of greenhouse full of peppers
The on-farm shop will remain open. Van Brakel, who joined Oxin Growers in 2024, continues to sell a wide range of organic vegetables directly to customers. The assortment includes three varieties of chilli peppers, snack peppers, several tomato varieties including Coeur de Boeuf, a five-colour cherry tomato mix, cucumbers, and snack cucumbers. The brambles and raspberries that were part of the pick-your-own garden have also been kept. "I left those in place for the farm shop. I've also planted some potatoes." The first new potatoes from Poortvliet are expected shortly.
The approximately 3,000 square metres of greenhouse space freed up by closing the Oogstuuntje has been absorbed into the production operation. "The greenhouse filled up straight away. I'm now growing red chilli peppers there. The peppers go through our buyers to Scandinavia or to retailers in the Netherlands."
© Martijn Nouwen | HortiDaily.com
Cucumbers after winter cultivation
The cucumber harvest at Van Brakel Organic is now underway, starting later in the season than many growers. "We always start fairly late, because we grow a round of pak choi in winter. During that period, we want to use as little heating as possible. Pak choi tolerates the cold well."
In recent years, Van Brakel has also added winter purslane and Romaine lettuce to his winter rotation, crops that similarly perform well at lower temperatures without the risk of Botrytis. That disease had previously been a problem when growing butterhead lettuce. "We stopped doing that."
For now, the focus in Poortvliet is firmly back on organic production growing. "You always have to wait and see how the year develops. If results disappoint, you start looking at the financials again, and then you consider other options more quickly. But not for now."
For more information:
Van Brakel Organic
www.biotuinderij.nl
