Biodynamic market garden De Stek
De Stek is a small-scale biodynamic market garden in the outskirts (on the North side) of Lelystad. On a plot of over 3 hectares, many types of vegetables and small fruits (strawberries, berries, plums and cherries) have been grown at De Stek since 1993. The season starts in spring with spreading manure and compost on the land, tilling, sowing and planting. Harvesting begins in May, and that is also when the shop will open. By using machinery, materials (tools, packaging) and resources like water, fuel and electricity carefully and sparingly, they want to take responsibility for future-proof agriculture.
Story by Ghislaine de Rond:
In the early morning, I drive my f...
De Stek is a small-scale biodynamic market garden in the outskirts (on the North side) of Lelystad. On a plot of over 3 hectares, many types of vegetables and small fruits (strawberries, berries, plums and cherries) have been grown at De Stek since 1993. The season starts in spring with spreading manure and compost on the land, tilling, sowing and planting. Harvesting begins in May, and that is also when the shop will open. By using machinery, materials (tools, packaging) and resources like water, fuel and electricity carefully and sparingly, they want to take responsibility for future-proof agriculture.
Story by Ghislaine de Rond:
In the early morning, I ride my bike through the quiet residential areas of Lelystad. I hear a peacock calling as I cycle through the city park. Under my cap, I keep an eye on the road. I better not take off my cap because I breathe in a cloud of flies. In the Jagersbos, I put the cap down as far as I can as I roll down the hill into the Jagersveld.
The Jagersveld is one of the city's most expensive, and most secluded residential areas. Many of the houses are screened with large fences, shielded from strangers who peer timidly under their caps at the neat lawns maintained by robotic lawn mowers. Occasionally I see a few grey globes working in their large gardens, but mostly the residents are safely ensconced in their luxurious homes.
From Jagersveld, I drive up the vast Beginweg. This road leads to a group of small-scale farms and market gardens.
I drive past a sign saying 'Lelystad'; now I am officially out of the built-up area. In the distance, I see a small figure sitting on the road. I wonder what it is, a cat or a dog perhaps? As I get closer, I can see from its beautiful dark blue feathers and long teal tail that it is a peacock. It dives into the bushes as I pass. To my right, I see arable land with a clear sky above. Behind me, I see the high forest edge that surrounds the Jagersveld like a big, green fortress wall. In this part of Lelystad, the trees are already relatively old.
After passing the peacock, I arrive at a T-junction. Here I have to turn right. On this road is the market garden: de Stek, where I am working this summer. De Stek is not far from the Hanze Line. Every day, trains run along the Hanze line towards the north of the country or, conversely, towards Lelystad centre, the only station in Lelystad; if you don't count the ghost station 'Lelystad-Zuid', where no train has ever stopped.
As soon as I arrive at the Stek, I see John, a man with a blue bandana and a Flemish accent. He is stacking crates on top of each other to put them in the cold store. I wave at him and park my bike next to the mobile home where my bosses: Pete and Renee, are still having breakfast. I take off my cap and step inside. At the table, the two Spanish interns: David and Sergio and the French intern: Amandine, are having breakfast with my bosses. The interns are temporarily staying at the market garden. As soon as Renee sees me, she immediately gets up and consults with Pete about what I can do. Some cards have to be written for on the crates, I can start right away. Then I can immediately continue picking broad beans. Slowly the mobile home trickles empty and I sit accompanied by dog Yvi writing cards. Lettuce, class 1, Holland... am I forgetting anything?... oh yes, 10st. Next ticket....
I hear Yvi smackingly eating her breakfast, a sound I have come to associate with the earliest hours of my work mornings.
When I finish the tickets, I walk to the shed next to the cold store where I put on a pair of rain boots, thickened rain trousers and a purple mackintosh. Although it is not very cold, it is always nice to be well protected from dirt and to protect your knees from the clay soil.
I grab a few crates from the pile and walk to the garden bean field behind the mobile home. The sun is really starting to come through now. I am so protected in my work clothes that it feels like I am swimming as I walk through the bean field. I put my crate down somewhere and disappear into the tall bushes. Now I will pick until the coffee break at 10:00.
Sometimes I look above the field to see what is going on there. I see a train stopped on the track, waiting for the red traffic light. Occasionally the neighbour passes by on his tractor across the adjacent field. I don't know what he is cultivating. To be honest, I don't know what exactly is being cultivated on the Stek either. Nor does it really matter at the moment. Now all I need to know is broad beans.
After about two hours of picking, Piet comes on his tractor to collect the full crates of shiny broad beans. Pete has wild grey hair and a thoughtful, slightly elitist way of talking. He is not much into bookkeeping, considers himself more of a true gardener. Although the Stek is in Pete's name, it sometimes seems as if Renee owns the garden. Renee once came to work for Pete as a volunteer, and stayed because of the delicious strawberries Pete grew.
Time for coffee and syrup waffles. Everyone helps prepare cups, chairs, biscuits and thermos jugs of tea and coffee. Dog Yvi foams under the table looking for something edible. After about half an hour, we head back to the field in working harness, where the sun is now beaming generously.
In a few hours, I will cycle home again, tired but fulfilled. Until then, my world is small and green, sitting sheltered under the tops of bean plants and knowing only broad beans.
