Chapter 3. 'Additional tips and facts' - Gardening tips by expert Floor Korte - Floor's Moestuin
You've laid the foundation by starting your Gardenworks Station, and you now know exactly how to maintain your crops for healthy growth. But how do you ensure that gardening doesn't become a chore, but rather a permanent part of your daily routine?
In this third and final part of our series with vegetable gardening expert Floor Korte, we take a deeper look. We look beyond just the plants: from avoiding choice overload when sowing to creating a small ecosystem on your own terrace. Floor shares her final secrets on why gardening at height makes such a big difference to your mindset and how you can create the ultimate experience even in a small city garden.
Additional tips for vegetable gardening
How much time does it take to maintain a vegetable garden table on average per week? And how do you prevent it from becoming overwhelming?
Maintenance takes surprisingly little time with a raised table. Depending on what you grow, you'll spend an average of no more than an hour a week watering, checking, harvesting, and doing a little maintenance. It's a valuable addition to your daily life, without taking up too much time.
If you could give one piece of advice to novice vegetable gardeners, what would it be?
First, write down what you would like to harvest before you buy plants. This will help you focus and increase the likelihood that you will actually do something with it. And above all: just get started. Make mistakes. You don't have to do everything right the first time; that's part of the process.
Why is working at height so enjoyable?
And how does it increase the pleasure and chance of persevering?
Working at height is nice if bending over is difficult, if you have pets, or if you want to place the table close to your home. It's easy to reach, you see the plants often, and you use the table more often as a result. That makes it more fun and easier to persevere.
What makes a product like the Gardenworks Station suitable for people who are unsure whether vegetable gardening is ‘for them’?
The most important question is: what do you want to harvest? If you want large quantities of tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers, then a different system would be more suitable. But if you want a beautiful table with herbs, edible flowers, and small vegetables, then the Gardenworks is perfect.
Can the height of the vegetable table influence the speed of growth and harvest times?
Yes, the table warms up faster than the ground in spring, allowing you to start earlier. In summer, it also warms up faster and water evaporates more quickly, mainly due to the color of the table. Therefore, keep a close eye on whether the soil remains moist and water daily on hot days. Covering the top of the soil with a layer of mulch (wood chips) helps enormously.
How can you combine this table with other vegetable garden setups (open ground, greenhouse, pots) for maximum yield?
The table is ideal for the patio, separate from the vegetable garden. Use the large vegetable garden for fruit and vegetables and the table for herbs and edible flowers. This way, they complement each other nicely, both functionally and visually.
How do you see a raised vegetable garden table as part of a larger ecosystem, even in a small city garden or on a terrace?
Even in a small space, a vegetable garden table with different plants attracts insects. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures know where to find it. More greenery is always good, no matter how small.
In your opinion, what distinguishes well-designed vegetable garden furniture from a purely functional growing tray?
They say you eat with your eyes first, and with good reason. I enjoy something that is well-designed, pleasing to look at, and productive. Well-designed vegetable garden furniture does exactly that.
How does the relationship between people, food, and seasons change when gardening literally becomes part of the living space?
When people grow their own food and put time and love into it, they treat it differently. They choose dishes more consciously, throw less away, and appreciate the value of what they eat. A vegetable garden therefore not only provides a harvest, but also raises awareness of sustainability.
With Floor Korte's insights, you are now fully prepared to get started. From the first seeds to a carefree harvest at height: you know exactly what it takes to make your Gardenworks Station a success. We hope this series has inspired you to bring nature closer to home. Have fun sowing, caring for, and above all, enjoying your own crops.
Want to reread the article about maintaining your vegetable garden? Or start at the beginning? You can find the other articles here.
Gardenworks
US$1,395.00
With the Gardenworks, gardening becomes a natural part of your routine. Whereas the usual vegetable and herb garden often has a hidden spot in the back of the yard, the Gardenworks demands to be seen. In a prominent spot right next to the garden door, the planting station acts as an extension of the kitchen, where it encourages the user to take action. The Gardenworks is designed with use in mind. The practical working height of 93 cm makes gardening a pleasant and accessible activity. The drain in the bottom of the planter ensures optimal hydration of the soil: excess water drains away through the two outlets, while a layer of water will always remain for the plants to drink from. This way, you will always have well-cared for and healthy plants. The elegant and thoughtful design reflects a balance between functionality and aesthetics. The interplay of the actions of the user and the elegant design activates and refines the environment. Whether the Gardenworks is placed on the balcony of a modern city apartment, indoors as a way of bringing greenery into your living space or in the garden of a country house, the planting station adds value to your living environment. The Gardenworks invites you to create moments: from harvesting vegetables for dinner to dwelling on the change of seasons. With the Gardenworks, awareness of nature is always at your fingertips.
Gardenworks Station
US$1,890.00
With the multi-purpose Gardenworks Station, gardening and outdoor cooking become a natural part of your daily routine. Whereas the usual vegetable and herb garden often has a hidden spot in the back of the garden, the Gardenworks Station demands to be seen. In a prominent spot right next to the garden door, the object acts as an extension of the kitchen, where it encourages the user to take action. The Gardenworks Station was designed with use as the starting point. The Gardenworks Station consists of a planter and a worktop with a practical working height of 93 cm. Underneath is room for two crates. This combination allows the planting station to be used for gardening as well as outdoor cooking. The drain in the bottom of the planter ensures optimal hydration of the soil: excess water drains away through the two outlets, while a layer of water will always remain for the plants to drink from. So you will always have well-cared for and healthy plants. The elegant and thoughtful design reflects a balance between functionality and aesthetics. The interplay of actions of the user and the elegant design activates and refines the environment. Whether the Gardenworks Station is placed on the balcony of a modern city apartment, indoors as a way of adding greenery to your living space or in the garden of a country house, the planting station adds value to your living environment. The Gardenworks Station invites you to create moments: from cooking outside together to dwelling on the change of seasons. This way, awareness of nature is always at your fingertips.
Gardenworks Crate
US$15.00
The Weltevree Gardenworks Crate is a versatile storage solution with a sleek, minimalist design. Made from polypropylene material, the crate is available in soft green.You can also purchase the crates separately and use them to organize accessories in the kitchen, shed, or even in the office or other indoor spaces. The crates are easy to stack and sturdy enough to stack higher as well—perfect for storing garden tools or seasonal items.
Discover how the crates are also used in the Gardenworks Station.