Since early 2010, Jim Grootscholte runs the new farm of the renowned 4Evergreen pepper farm in St. Annaland. The first yellow peppers have just been harvested at this new location. Together with the other locations of the family business, peppers are grown on a total area of 41 hectares. Just before our visit, Jim was interviewed for a fruit website, where he explained the significance of the new nursery for local employment in Tholen, Zeeland.
Pepper cultivation is all about light
De Zeeland region, where Sint Annaland is located, is known in the Netherlands for the high levels of light and sunshine. Jim explains: “For over forty years, this region has been the first region in the Netherlands to harvest new potatoes”. So it’s not surprising that they chose the highly transparent XLS 10 REVOLUX as their energy screen for this new facility. Next to the new facility they are using Crystal Clear Glass for an additional 2% of light transmission. Apart from light, the relative humidity in the greenhouse is an important factor. Peppers don’t like RH above 90%. This goal is easily achieved – even under a closed screen. “I hardly need to use a gap”, Jim adds. This fact is important – as it allows him to maximise his energy saving.
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