Tuinbouwmuseum Mea Vota

Horticulture is one of the great Dutch success stories. A small, densely populated country has become one of the biggest exporters of vegetables, flowers, plants and seeds in the world, and the knowledge behind that achievement has developed over centuries. A horticultural museum such as Mea Vota exists to tell part of that story, from the work of market gardeners on small plots to the glasshouses that now cover large areas. Because the specific details of this museum are hard to confirm, what follows is a picture of the subject it covers and of the region in which it sits.

Market gardening means growing vegetables, fruit and flowers for sale, usually on a small scale and close to towns. In earlier centuries, gardeners supplied the cities with fresh produce, and many villages in Gelderland and elsewhere had a tradition of it. The work depended on skill with soil, manure and timing, and on a good sense of what would sell. Gardeners used hand tools, such as spades, hoes, dibbers and hand barrows, along with frames and cloches to protect early crops from the cold. Many of these tools were simple but ingenious, and a collection of them gives a good idea of how much labour was needed.

The next stage was the greenhouse. Glass allowed growers to start crops earlier, extend the season and raise delicate plants, and the Dutch became very good at it. Early greenhouses were small and heated by stoves and then by hot water pipes, while modern ones are vast, computer-controlled and use techniques such as hydroponics. A museum can show the stages of this development, with models, photographs, documents and examples of the equipment, and the greenhouses and gardens on the grounds can show how plants are grown. Heritage vegetables and old flower varieties are often grown to keep alive the diversity that modern farming has reduced.

Volunteers often run small museums of this kind and are glad to talk about the work. The visit is relaxed, with time to walk through the gardens and ask questions, and in season there may be plants for sale. Gardeners will find ideas and families will enjoy the open air.

The museum suits gardeners, families and anyone interested in rural history. The area around Apeldoorn has woods, estates and the royal palace of Het Loo, so a visit can be combined with other outings. Check opening days and times before going, as small museums often open only on certain days.