Pearl of De Langstraat: The Langendam Waspik

What better place to start the day than at flower farm De Langendam? When I visit, Marianne and Sjaak de Bont are having breakfast at the kitchen table. A little later their daughter Nicole joins them. She quit her job as an activity counsellor this year to participate fully in the business. Together with her sister Ingrid, who also works in a garden center, they run this beautiful family business on the outskirts of Waspik. And the grandchildren ... they also help out regularly!

Sjaak proudly explains that he has lived in this idyllic spot just about all his life. His parents had a mixed farm there, including cows, pee, potatoes and grain. Sjaak never farmed himself. In the early years, he only grew some flowers as a side income. After all, he was employed by pot grower Van der Dussen, but when it went bankrupt, Marianne and Sjaak immediately changed tack. They started growing products for the auction, started a store at home, flower arranging courses and the business got bigger and bigger. Dry flowers became fashionable and they were able to earn a good living. The couple constantly responded to changing trends, which in 2004 led them to change from a production company to a flower picking garden, where the focus is on the experience.

You can pick over 200 varieties of flowers in the garden. Sjaak's favorite is Scabiosa (Pigeonweed) and Marianne gets all happy with a mixed field bouquet of Dahlias. She is not alone in this. Every year they host thousands of guests, who come here to pick their own bouquet. As soon as the sun begins to shine in March, they come forward. Still, they have to be patient. The picking season is from May to early October. This does not mean that nothing needs to be done during the other months. On the contrary. Sjaak explains, "We are busy then chopping the plants, tearing and drying tubers, setting perennials, moving paths and there is always something to do. And in spring we start (pre)seeding and transplanting again." Marianne adds: "And of course the store is open, we host workshops, we receive guests in our B&B. We also host high teas and I then make the sticky walnut cake (made from our own nuts), brownies, butter cake, lemon curd cake, you name it."

Daughter Nicole and Sjaak agree: "It's nice that you have to make do with the elements. The frost, a big rain, the drought, and the seasons; it all affects all that grows and blooms and what you are going to do that day. No day is the same". Marianne is especially happy with the guests' reactions: "They call it a little paradise here and everyone is always happy. Because flowers just make you happy".

2020 was a good year for De Langendam. Perhaps thanks to corona. "People have a safe leisure activity with us, nice and outdoors." If their daughters didn't work in the business, Sjaak and Marianne couldn't keep up. So their dream is for the ladies to take over the business later. I think that's a good thing...

Want to know more about De Langendam? Then click here!