Open Greenhouse at De Ceuvel 22/08

What: Open Greenhouse at De Ceuvel

When: 22, 29 Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26 Sept.

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Admission: Just drop by. Visiting the greenhouse is free.

Where: In the greenhouse at De Ceuvel, on top of the Metabolic Lab. You can find it by taking the path to the left of the café and then going up the stairs.

Open Greenhouse

At De Ceuvel, you’ll find a unique circular greenhouse: the Aquaponic Greenhouse. Curious about what grows here and how the system works? Come and take a look! During these hours, grower Andrei Becca will be there. You can:

• get advice on simple, effective and robust ways to grow plants in your garden, on your balcony or windowsill;
• ask all your questions about modern food production, how greenhouses work and systems such as aquaponics and hydroponics;
• learn more about ecological pest control;
• help Andrei with work in the greenhouse and learn by doing;
• or simply drop by to explore this special place.

About the greenhouse

The greenhouse at the Metabolic Lab is a place where different water-saving methods of food cultivation are being tested, both in soil and directly in water. The aim is to save water, grow healthy organic food and keep production costs low. The systems are therefore built as much as possible using simple, easily sourced materials, so that others can build them themselves as well.

One of the systems in the greenhouse is aquaponics, in which fish and plants work together. The nitrogen-rich waste produced by the fish is converted into nutrients for the plants. The plants, in turn, clean the water, which then flows back to the fish. This creates a natural cycle.

The greenhouse also experiments with a range of other cultivation methods, all focused on organic and sustainable food production in urban areas.

Grower Andrei Becca has eight years of experience growing plants, including two years working in one of the most advanced greenhouses in the Netherlands. He is currently also pursuing a master’s degree at Wageningen University, focusing on water conservation and management.