Gardening
Student Garden
Since 2019, the HZ Green Office has managed its own student garden. This garden is located next to the APV student housing in Vlissingen. Originally a former piece of building land with poor soil quality, almost nothing wanted to grow on it.
The garden has been transformed into a flourishing green oasis through permaculture principles. By enriching the soil and planting a variety of native trees and plants, fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetables, this once lifeless area has become a thriving ecosystem.
In 2021, a wadi (a natural water collection system) was introduced, using rainwater from the adjacent hospital's roof to keep the garden hydrated and resilient. The garden is not only a space for students; neigbourhood children play in the garden and the hospital staff regularly stop by for a cup of coffee.
To keep the garden thriving, we organise regular gardening sessions where students can help with maintenance, plant new crops, and learn about eco-friendly gardening techniques. These sessions are a great way to get hands-on experience, meet like-minded people, and contribute to a greener campus.
Currently, we are in the process of reshaping the Student Garden into a community garden, in collaboration with Buurtteams Vlissingen.
Do you want to know more or are you interested in joining? Everyone is welcome! Whether you have gardening experience or are just curious to learn, you can contact us via Instagram DM or email greenoffice@hz.nl to get involved!
HZ Garden
In addition to the Student Garden, we have developed several green spaces around the school campus at HZ Vlissingen, based on permaculture and food forest principles. Food forests are designed to create a self-sustaining edible ecosystem that mimics the natural structure of a forest. The goals is to have a diverse and productive landscape where both students and employees can learn about permaculture, food production and biodiversity.
A food forest consists of multiple layers of edible plants, including:
🌳 Tall trees (like fruit and nut trees) providing shade and structure
🌿 Shrubs (such as berry bushes) offering nutritious fruits
🍃 Herbs and ground cover (like thyme, oregano, and wild greens) improving soil health
🍄 Fungi and decomposers contributing to a rich, fertile environment
Different from traditional agriculture, a food forest is low-maintenance and highly sustainable. Once established, it requires minimal intervention, as plants naturally support each other through symbiotic relationships (an ongoing interaction between organisms of different species). This method aligns with permaculture principles, promoting a balanced ecosystem that benefits both people and nature.
We have installed rainwater collection tanks, allowing for an eco-friendly irrigation system that reduces water waste and ensures a steady water supply for plants. As the project develops, students will have the opportunity to help with planting, maintenance, and research. Greening our campus is still a work in progress, and we are always looking for enthusiastic participants to help shape its future. By getting involved, you will not only gain hands-on experience in sustainable food production, learn about edible wild plants and flowers, biobased building materials and supporting biodiversity, but directly make a difference by contributing to a greener and more resilient campus environment!
Get Involved
We wholeheartedly invite students, staff, and community members to participate in our projects and events. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, earn HZ Personality points, or simply want to contribute to a greener future, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved!
Would you like to be part of either/both these initiatives? Join us and make a difference! Contact us via Instagram DM or greenoffice@hz.nl to learn more!
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
Through our nature activities, we are actively contributing to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
