Dick van Kleinwee

He grew up in a rural area and played in the polder surrounded by greenery, where his love for nature began. In his work as a plant breeder, he creates new plant varieties, and in his spare time, he serves as chairman of the Hoorn branch of the Groei & Bloei gardening association.

Growth & Bloom is an association where gardening enthusiasts come together to share their love of plants and greenery. We act as a discussion partner for municipalities and other green organizations in the city. We are happy to share our knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to promote greenery. For example, we organize the "Tile out, plant in" campaign, where you receive a free plant when you hand in a tile. And during Open Gardens Day, enthusiasts can get inspiration for their own gardens from others. By sharing ideas and enthusiasm, we hope to motivate more people to go green."

Water-friendly garden

Then, of course, the question arises as to what Dick's own garden looks like. "When designing our garden, I took a green garden as my starting point, where ornamental plants are interspersed with fruit trees and vegetables, and where any water that falls is used as efficiently as possible. The drainage from outbuildings such as the garden shed and barn does not go into the sewer, but flows directly into the garden. And a tree such as a birch is grateful for that. We also have three rain barrels that we empty quite a few times a year to water the greenery and plants. In this way, a rain barrel is a sustainable addition to your garden."

Facade greenery

"Because our house is right next to the sidewalk, the front yard was an extra challenge. We have now created a small strip of façade garden there. Previously, it was completely paved, and weeds easily sprouted between the tiles and the house. This triggers the use of pesticides. And don't think that vinegar can be used without any problems; it turns out to be surprisingly environmentally unfriendly! It's great how such a relatively simple façade garden offers so many advantages: beautiful, low maintenance, and sustainable!"

Green cools

Thanks to the green surroundings, Dick's garden is a pleasant place to be even on hot days. "Cooling was not the goal when we designed our green garden, but it is becoming increasingly clear that dealing with the rising temperatures is becoming a greater challenge. Creating more shade and adjusting the color or paving helps; wood instead of stone."