In the Halte gardeners' settlement near Papenburg, this year's cucumber harvest has gotten off to a particularly good start. "Compared to last year, there has been more sunlight so far, so yields are noticeably higher than in 2024. However, we are also noticing that this effect is stronger for the more regenerative mini and snack cucumbers than for regular cucumbers," say Jantje Schoenmaker and Sebastian Bürger from the same-named member company of Gartenbauzentrale Papenburg eG.
Jantje Schoenmaker and Sebastian Bürger have been growing mini and snack cucumbers for five years now. Next year, they will also take over their parents' cucumber nursery (over 2 hectares of cucumbers) and continue the business in its fourth generation. The family employs a total of around 30 people at both locations.
There are four crops per year, each with a cultivation period of eight to ten weeks. The peak season for mini cucumbers is usually from May to August. The first early crop was planted in the first week of February – shortly before the first cucumbers were planted – so that the first Papenburg mini cucumbers could be offered at the end of February. Bürger: "It should also be noted that winters have become milder in recent years, so we tend to be able to start the season earlier."
Fresh mini cucumbers. This year, the company is also testing a range of eggplants for the first time.
Growth potential for snack cucumbers
Mini cucumbers still account for around 80 percent of cultivation. "The price pressure is also noticeable for snack cucumbers. There is still growth potential, although the labor-intensive product can be harvested more cheaply in southern countries. In this respect, we expect moderate growth for snack cucumbers," Bürger continues. Both products have now established themselves in the retail trade and are also listed accordingly in food retail stores.
A look inside the cucumber greenhouse. The approximately 1-hectare facility consists of three sections (each 3,000 m²). In total, the Papenburg Horticultural Center has access to approximately 10 hectares of mini and snack cucumbers.
Quirine instead of Qwerty
An important factor in cultivation is the variety and its characteristics. A basic requirement is a certain resistance to viruses. "Last year, we had a snack cucumber variety that was not resistant enough to mildew. This year, we have switched to a new variety, which we are extremely satisfied with so far," says Schoenmaker.
Insight into cucumber sorting. The mini cucumbers are mainly packaged in cellulose nets, while snack cucumbers are increasingly found in foil trays.
Future potential of the Halte gardeners' settlement
Finally, the two also point out the advantages of the location. The water supply in the Papenburg gardeners' settlement is particularly well-regulated thanks to the integrated water association. However, they see potential for development in the electricity supply. "In our windy region, wind turbines could be used to generate electricity for the illuminated winter production of cucumbers, for example. This would allow retailers to source cucumbers produced locally all year round, in line with sustainability principles, instead of transporting the produce several thousand kilometers from southern Spain in winter," concludes Bürger.
For more information:
Jantje Schoenmaker and Sebastian Bürger
Horticulture Schoenmaker & Bürger GmbH & Co KG
Halte 27
26826 Weener
Tel: +49 49615898
[email protected]
https://www.gartenbauzentrale.de/