Van Lankveld Fruit en Asperges fertilizes efficiently with DCM MIX 5

Satisfied customer: Van Lankveld Fruit en Asperges - www.parkfruittuin.nl
Crop: Fruit and asparagus
Location: Erp – North-Brabant (the Netherlands)

Van Lankveld Fruit en Asparagus is a company located in Erp, North Brabant that specializes in growing fruit and asparagus. Marcel and Jolanda van Lankveld take care of the entire process from cultivation to sales. At Kraanmeer 13 in Erp, a large part of the fruit and asparagus grown on site is sold in the farm shop. In total, the company uses 17 ha for growing asparagus and 7 ha for growing apples and pears. In recent years, the company has experienced strong growth in asparagus. As far as fruit is concerned, it is increasingly focusing on pears.

Van Lankveld's asparagus and pears are grown in accordance with Global Gap rules. The Xenia pears are sold under the concept of the Xenia producers' association (Telersvereniging Xenia). The sorting and peeling of their asparagus is BRC certified.

Marcel van Lankveld has been working in the business, which belonged to his parents at the time, since 1991. After completing his training at the 'Fruitteeltschool' (fruit tree growing school) in Tiel, he was eager to start working in his parents' business, whose main activity was growing apples. In 2009-2010, Marcel and Jolanda took over the business. Today, their children are also helping out.

More soil activity leads to improved soil structure

Van Lankveld has been using DCM products since 2007. It was John Kusters (P.G. Kusters in Dreumel) who suggested to use these products. He recommended to use DCM MIX 5 on a plot with stagnant water during the winter. "You have to believe in it and gain experience, but it is an established fact that more activity in the soil leads to an improved soil structure" was what he said. The results proved it: the effect was positive, soil structure visibly improved and the water disappeared during the winter period.

Today, Marcel still confirms the positive experiences of that time: "We still use DCM MIX 5 or DCM NK-MIX as a basic fertiliser for our crops, both for apples and pears and for asparagus. We see that the trees grow easily and that asparagus builds up more sugars during the growing season. Moreover, everything can be spread in one go, while stimulating soil life at the same time."

Organic granules are less susceptible to leaching

Another argument in favour of using DCM products is linked to spraying water on the fruits to protect them from frost: Marcel believes that part of the mineral nutrients leach out in this way, at a time when nitrogen is particularly needed. "Organic granules are less susceptible to leaching. As a result, the efficiency of the amount of nutrition we give is a lot higher".

As far as the use of DCM products in asparagus cultivation is concerned, we can say that Marcel is a real pioneer. The fist experiences in this crop were acquired thanks to Marcel: "The decision to also carry out trials in asparagus cultivation in addition to apple and pear cultivation was quickly made, first with DCM MIX 5, and later also with DCM VIVISOL® and DCM VIVIFOS®".

Still a satisfied customer after all these years

Today, Van Lankveld is still using DCM products and still very satisfied. "We obtain good yields, the ratios between the different nutrients supplied are better, the structure of the fruits is better because the nutrients are released evenly, and the sugar content of the asparagus is higher. The ease of use is also important to us and last but not least we want to help make fertilization more sustainable".