{"id":3960,"date":"2025-03-15T09:45:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T07:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/?p=3960"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:42:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T14:42:50","slug":"the-greenhouse-is-the-perfect-place-to-work-with-plants-and-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bio.bolster.nl\/en\/the-greenhouse-is-the-perfect-place-to-work-with-plants-and-people\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The greenhouse is the perfect place to work with plants and people\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u2018The greenhouse is the perfect place to work with plants and people\u2019<\/h1>\n

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Measuring 1.7 hectares, the De Bolster greenhouse in Oene\u2014a village just next to Epe where the head office is located\u2014is a massive space. Surrounded by tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, this is a wonderful place for team leader and plant enthusiast Aafke Valk to work.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Cold greenhouse<\/h2>\n

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While the head office site in Epe features demonstration greenhouses containing crops for breeding programs, much of the work takes place in the \u2018Rozenkamp\u2019 cold greenhouse in Oene. Soon, a heated greenhouse in Heerde will be added to the facilities. These greenhouses are used to cultivate crops for seed production. A wide variety of crops can be found in the enormous Rozenkamp greenhouse: peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes, but also pumpkins, lettuce, carrots, and various herbs. Since December last year, the greenhouse has been managed by team leader Aafke, who can truly pour her passion into her work here.<\/p>\n

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Where I was used to taking the best possible care of plants in vegetable cultivation, I now sometimes have to give them stress on purpose.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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No two days are the same<\/h2>\n

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After completing her education in bio-dynamic agriculture, Aafke spent years working for various companies both at home and abroad. Then, four years ago, she saw a vacancy for an assistant team leader at De Bolster. \u2018It\u2019s quite different from growing vegetables,\u2019 she says. ‘At De Bolster, I learned to look at plants in a different way. Where I was used to taking the best possible care of plants in vegetable cultivation, I now sometimes have to give them stress on purpose. For example, by letting them stay a bit drier so that they produce seeds.’<\/p>\n

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‘Because there are so many different crops in the greenhouse and you can’t always control nature, no day is ever the same. I find that wonderful. I also find it very interesting to see what influence small interventions have on plant growth, such as adjusting the amount of water, the climate in the greenhouse, and the method of pruning. Since December last year, I have moved up to the position of team leader.\u2019<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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High season<\/h2>\n

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During the high season, Aafke leads a team of about seven to ten temporary employees. She ensures that the crops develop well, consults with the cultivation managers and breeders, and creates work schedules. All sorts of tasks need to be done in that period, such as removing tomato side shoots, cutting leaves, and harvesting seeds. However, the bulk of the work is the pollination of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to produce seed for hybrid varieties.<\/p>\n

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Aafke: \u2018This is done entirely by hand, a very precise and delicate job. I enjoy seeing which employee is suited for which task. One person has incredible patience and concentration and is cut out for pollination. Another thrives more when pruning. For me, the greenhouse is the perfect place to work with both plants and people.\u2019
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Winter: preparing for spring<\/h2>\n

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Even in the winter season, Aafke has plenty to do. The temporary employees are gone, but that doesn’t mean the work stops. At that time, there are green manures in the greenhouse; Japanese oats and legumes. Aafke: \u2018We want to keep the soil active and healthy even in winter. By sowing green manure, the soil remains lively. These plants nourish the soil and become available to the crops during the growing season.<\/p>\n

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In February, we mowed the oats short and tilled them shallowly into the ground. In March, the temporary employees returned and we spread compost and cattle manure, ensuring the crops planted in April have enough nutrients for the season. We are ready for the new year!\u2019<\/p>\n

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Latest news<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cI find it absolutely fascinating to watch seeds germinate and eventually grow into beautiful crops\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cWith organic innovation, we help both organic and conventional growers move forward\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cThanks to the heated greenhouse, we can breed and react to the market much faster\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cA transition never happens overnight\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cOrganic growing comes from the heart, not just a business perspective\u201d<\/h3>\n

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\u201cThe great thing about customer service is that in the morning, I don’t yet know what I’ll be doing that day\u201d<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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