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Chapter 1. 'The Start' - Gardening tips by expert Floor Korte - Floor's Moestuin

Chapter 1. 'The Start' - Gardening tips by expert Floor Korte - Floor's Moestuin

At Weltevree we see 'outdoor living' as a way of life. And all our items contribute to that. But what do we really mean by that? And what is 'Outdoor living and how do you do it? 
To explain a bit more about this topic we have asked Floor Korte, as an expert from Floors Moestuin, some questions about the way of living outdoors. With in the spotlight this month: greenery and gardening. 

We prefer to define the outdoors as an irrepressible urge to be outside, to surround yourself with nature as much and as often as possible. And with products such as the Gardenworks and the Gardenworks Station being outside becomes a natural part of your daily routine - all year round.
We've split up the next couple of questions in 3 levels: The start - The maintenance - Extra tips & tricks. Here you'll find all about 'The start'.

At first, a little introduction. Floor, could you explain why Weltevree and Floors Moestuin are such a great match?

My name is Floor: plants, creating, designing, and tasting make me intensely happy. For years, I have been inspiring thousands of people to start a vegetable garden, right at the intersection of greenery and design. That's why Weltevree X Floors Moestuin is a perfect match for me. Together, we show how well design and nature go together and invite more and more people to get outside.

The start

Where is the best place to start with a vegetable table such as the Gardenworks or the Gardenworks Station?

Place the table in a spot that gets plenty of sun, because most plants simply grow best with lots of sunlight. If you're going for a table full of edible plants, it's a good idea to place it close to the back door or kitchen. That way, you can easily harvest when you're cooking, and using the table will become a natural part of your day.

Which soil or potting mixes do you specifically recommend for use with Gardenworks to maximize plant growth? 

Always choose nutritious, clean soil in which seeds can germinate well and plants can grow strong. The soil is the engine of your plants. I personally choose a universal, organic potting soil: it contains sufficient nutrients for the first three months, is free of pesticides, and is safe to eat the plants from, so I would definitely not skimp on this. Mix about ¼ organic compost into the potting soil. This is clean, contains no weed seeds, and improves the soil structure. First, place a layer of hydro granules at the bottom of the table. These absorb excess water, gradually release it to the plants, and prevent the roots from rotting. 

Amount of soil Gardenworks:
160 liters total
– 3 bags of 40 liters of organic potting soil
– 1 bag of 40 liters of organic compost
– 1 bag of 20 liters of hydro granules for the bottom

Which three crops are almost always successful for beginners? And why do they work so well in a raised bed? 

For beginners, arugula, radishes, and strawberries almost always do well. Arugula and radishes can be sown directly, while strawberries are purchased as seedlings. These crops are easy to grow, undemanding, and produce a quick harvest, which provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment and extra motivation. They also do not root deeply, making them perfect for a raised bed. Strawberries can also hang nicely over the edge, keeping the fruit clean and preventing it from rotting.
Which vegetables, herbs, or edible plants do you think are most suitable for growing in this vegetable table? 

In a Gardenworks table, it is best to choose smaller, compact-growing crops. Think of tea herbs such as mint, chamomile, and lemon verbena, or kitchen herbs such as chives, parsley, coriander, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and sage. Many fruits and vegetables are also suitable, such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, beets, Parisian carrots, strawberries, garlic, endive, bell peppers, chili peppers, and dwarf tomatoes such as ‘Koralik’ or ‘Tiny Tim’. Edible flowers are also a nice addition: violets, nasturtiums (which can hang playfully over the edge) and marigolds remain compact, complement the table well and are attractive to insects.
What are the most common beginner mistakes in vegetable gardening, and how does a vegetable table like this help prevent those mistakes? 

A common beginner's mistake is sowing or transplanting plants at a time when they cannot yet survive outdoors. This often happens because people do not research what a plant needs. Some plants can withstand the cold, while others only grow well at temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius—even at night. In the Netherlands, this is usually not until mid-May. Heat-loving plants include tomatoes, peppers, chili peppers, and basil. Other crops can be planted outside much earlier, often as early as March, when the vegetable gardening season begins. A vegetable table makes this easier to keep track of and check.

How many plants is ‘too many’ in a table like this? And what is the tip for not planting plants too close together? 


Sowing or planting too close together happens faster than you think, because young plants still look small. But they grow, and need space to root, absorb water, and find nutrients. If you plant them too close together, they will crowd each other out. Therefore, always check the plant label or follow the sowing distances indicated on the seed packet. This will give each plant enough space to grow healthily.

How do you apply crop rotation and succession planting in a raised vegetable garden bed with limited depth? 


Crop rotation is not really necessary in this raised bed, because we do not grow crops that leave diseases in the soil, such as cabbage or potatoes. These crops also require a lot of nutrients and space, which is not the case in this bed. Succession planting, on the other hand, is a great way to make optimal use of the bed. This means that after harvesting a crop, such as radishes, you sow or plant something new. For example, you could plant dwarf tomatoes or sow another round of spinach or arugula in that spot. This allows you to get much more out of your bed during the season.