The nursery stock industry in the Netherlands is moving fast. Increasingly more growers are focusing on sustainable growing: a way of production that is not only economically viable but also takes into account the environment, biodiversity, and changing climatic conditions. This approach is crucial because the industry faces major challenges. Think of stricter environmental regulations, decreasing availability of plant protection products, and a changing climate with more extreme weather conditions.

Sustainable growing means, among other things, focusing on soil health, water conservation, integrated pest management, and reducing CO2 emissions. Innovations such as precision farming, biological control agents, and sustainable energy sources are gaining ground. Growers are also investing in species that are more resistant to drought, diseases, and pests, so they are less reliant on chemical products. The importance of this extends beyond the industry itself. Sustainably grown trees and plants contribute to a healthy living environment, urban greening, and climate adaptation. They improve air quality, provide cooling in cities, and help retain water during heavy rainfall. Sustainability, being futureproof, is not just about ecology, but also about people. The industry is facing a tight labour market and an ageing workforce. This makes making the profession more attractive, improving working conditions, and providing education crucial. The tree nursery industry proves that sustainability and quality can go hand in hand. By investing in sustainable growing methods now, the industry is building a resilient future and strengthening its position in the international market. Sustainable growing is a necessity, and to remain sustainable, the industry must continue to invest in knowledge, collaboration, and innovation. It is time for this awareness to be widely shared, both within and outside the industry. An important key lies in strengthening the chain: from grower to end customer. Only by working together on sustainable solutions can the industry maintain its strong international position and contribute to a greener living environment. At the trade fair GrootGroenPlus, held from 1-3 October in Zundert, this topic will be a focal point. The KwekersBode already checked in with some of the participants.

Streng Growers - Growing with vision and responsibility

In the heart of the tree-growing region of Boskoop, you will find Streng Growers - a modern nursery where craftsmanship, sustainability, and future vision come together. A wide assortment of climbing plants, fruit plants, garden plants is grown, and high-quality products are delivered year-round to garden centres, other retail forms, wholesalers, and green space providers. What is the strength of the company? We asked owner Ronald Streng. “Our strength? A strong seasonal offering and a clear direction towards visually attractive plants that immediately appeal on the shelf and in the garden.”

Relevant throughout the year

“At Streng Growers, everything revolves around continuity and quality,” says Ronald. “We provide a wide range of plants throughout the year that moves with the season and with consumer demand. In the winter months, we offer, among other things, Gaultheria ‘Big Berry’ and Picea, also in decorative versions that perfectly match the Christmas period. This segment is developing and represents an important growth direction for the coming years. In addition, we are increasingly focusing on visual garden plants - species with direct ornamental value, a strong appearance, and clear added value for the consumer. Plants that stand out and convince.”

From a family business to a modern, growing company

Streng Growers was founded in 1978 by Nico and Jolanda Streng, who started with open-ground products. In the 1990s, they made the switch to container-grown plants, focusing on climbing plants and fruit crops. With the entry of their son Ronald Streng in 2009, a new phase of growth began. In 2019, there was an expansion, and the name changed: Streng Growers B.V. was born - ready for the future. Ready for the future, that also means focusing on sustainability and future-proofing? “Responsible growing is a given for us,” is Ronald’s response. “Sustainability is not a separate theme, but is an essential part of all our business operations. We are certified according to MPS-A, MPS-GAP, GRASP, SKAL, and - for our edible products - also GGN. With this, we meet strict requirements for safety, traceability, and environmental care.” What does that mean in practice? Ronald: “We mainly grow from our own propagation material and use biological pest control and natural predators. In addition, we keep the company clean, organised, and hygienic, and use recycled pots and labels. We also work with a closed water system without discharge into surface water, and the solar panels on the roof provide us with mostly our own energy. To be future-proof, we must keep moving and continue to improve,” says Ronald. “At Streng Growers, we never stand still. We are constantly looking for ways to optimise our crops - whether it is about resilience, appearance, or logistical efficiency. We follow developments closely, experiment with sustainable substrates, and continuously look at how we can make our plants stronger and more attractive. With our commitment to quality, sustainability, and visual presentation, we are building a future-proof company and plants that are more than just green: they tell a story of craftsmanship, care, and love for the profession.”

EXPERT CENTRE LIVE, the place where innovation and sustainability meet

Sustainability is also playing a significant role with the ‘suppliers’ of the industry. They are also responding to the societal need to grow as sustainably and future-proof as possible. We asked Marcel Hubers, Technical Manager Ornamentals & Garden Europe & Sustainability at Syngenta, for his company’s vision. Hubers: “At Syngenta, we consciously make the most sustainable choices. It is an integral part of everything we do. It makes us aware of our responsibilities and is the driving force behind our visions. Our goal is to (among other things) reduce the ecological footprint of land and horticulture, protect crops without impact on humans, the environment, and surroundings, and reduce CO2 emissions in land and horticulture.” Hubers explains that Syngenta’s ambition is summarised in 4 sustainability pillars. “The first is accelerating innovation, for growers and the environment. The focus is on biologicals, ICM solutions, and digital solutions. The second pillar of our sustainability policy is reducing the impact of climate change and urbanisation, for example. The third pillar is support through education, best practices, training, and stewardship programmes. The fourth pillar is achieving more complete solutions: commercial partnerships, stewardship programmes with various partners in the industry.”

Zorn Baumschulen, fruit trees from the tree nursery area of Pinneberg

The KwekersBode also took a look across the eastern border at a new participant at GrootGroenPlus. Zorn Baumschulen from Tangstedt, in the important tree nursery area around Pinneberg, was founded in 1981 in Tangstedt by Wiebke and Werner Zorn and moved to a new location in Tangstedt in 2017. Here, spacious halls and fields are now available. From the beginning, the focus was on berry fruit. This range was continuously further developed, so that now wild fruits, pome and stone fruits, and some specialities such as figs and rhubarb can be offered in the best quality.

Better ornamental shrubs in garden centre quality complete the assortment

“Our propagation is mainly done in-house through cuttings, layering, eye grafting, and budding,” says owner Andreas Zorn. “Our shrubs are grown both in containers and in the ground. We place a high value on the best quality in production. Our very wide range of fruit is complemented by ornamental shrubs and solitaire plants.” Garden centres are important customers of the tree nursery. Andreas Zorn: “We offer our garden centre customers a wide range of fruit trees, with a focus on pome and stone fruits, berries, and wild fruits. The fruit assortment is complemented with specialities such as figs, rhubarb, kiwis, cornels, pecan nuts, and much more.” In addition, there is an extensive assortment of ornamental shrubs, with ornamental cherries and ornamental apples particularly worth mentioning. Strong qualities are offered in containers of 5-7.5-10 litres, with 80 cm high ornamental stems as the highlight. Andreas Zorn: “Our plants are also very popular as starting material for solitaire planting. By consistently pre-growing in the ground and regular pruning, we achieve a constant high quality. In the cultivation and processing of each individual plant, we find craftmanship very important. Through a closed water loop, careful and targeted watering, cultivation in peat-poor substrates, and sustainable use of fertilisers and plant protection products, we consciously produce sustainably. We look optimistically to the future,” says Andreas Zorn. “Plants are the solution to some of the major problems of our time. Climate change, fine dust, and the wellbeing effect will increase the demand for plants in the future.”