Everything about organic seeds

Seeds that are entitled to be called organic must meet very specific requirements. The most important thing is that no step in the production process may be harmful to nature. This means, for example, that we work chemical-free. On this page, you can see what else you can expect when choosing organic seeds and why they are the foundation for a healthy planet.

The key principles of organic seed production

We work purely organically. That is why our seeds carry the European organic label. As a producer, you must meet strict requirements for this label every year. In organic seed production, the focus is on working together with nature.

Nurturing rich soil life

Organic cultivation is only allowed on soil that has not been treated ‘conventionally’ for several years. This means no synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides have been used during those years. Our production fields in Epe have been certified organic since 2002, and those in Moldova since 2014. To keep the soil healthy, we ensure balanced nutrition and biodiversity; we grow many different plants, which in turn attracts an enormous diversity of insects and other life.

Prevention instead of control

In organic farming, we prevent diseases and pests through the right choice of varieties, balanced plant nutrition, biodiversity, and a broad crop rotation. The latter means that crops change locations every year. For example, beans, carrots, and lettuce only grow on a specific plot of land once every 4 to 6 years. This prevents disease and keeps the soil healthy.

Pure natural manure and compost

We only replenish soil nutrients with natural manure and compost. We are essentially mimicking what happens in nature; animals drop manure, leaves fall from trees and enrich the soil. We apply the same principle in organic cultivation. The result is a beautiful, loose structure and soil full of life.

We weed mechanically

We use machines to remove weeds. This keeps the life in the soil intact. This way, we do not need poisons in organic cultivation. The effect of this reaches much further than the land we farm. Because poison leaches into the groundwater, rivers, and even the seas. By choosing organic, we protect much more than just ‘our’ soil life.

Classical breeding instead of GMO

Organic also means that our seeds are free from genetic modification (GMO). With GMO, humans make artificial adjustments to the plant’s DNA. This often means that growers depend on a shrinking number of producers. We believe it is important that everyone in the world has access to healthy vegetable varieties that exclusively contain traits as they occur in nature.

Seeds with the full power of nature

For us as a breeder and producer, working organically also means that we do everything possible to develop seeds that are successful in organic growing conditions. No crops that depend on poison or synthetic fertilizers, but strong, healthy plants. We achieve this through classical breeding. We select plants with resistance to diseases and a strong root system. We also test our varieties under all kinds of conditions such as cold, different soil types (sand, clay), and with different growers.

As far as we’re concerned, there aren’t enough organic seeds yet

We believe it is important that there is enough choice, also for gardeners who are now on the verge of choosing organic. That is why at De Bolster we put a lot of energy into breeding and producing new varieties. Two good examples are our high-yielding pumpkins and the nematode-resistant rootstocks for peppers and chilies. These varieties now provide a successful harvest for many professional growers.

Certificates

Our seeds are 100% organic. That is why we are entitled to carry the European organic label. The rules to qualify for this label are very strict. In addition, De Bolster is also Demeter certified. Below you can view and possibly download all our certificates.

Skal certificate (NL)

Non-GMO statement

Demeter certificate