Biodynamic Flax Cultivation, Ekoboerderij de Lingehof, Hemmen
The Linen Project explores the potential of techniques and approaches in relation to the scale, location, and intention of its activities. Although fairly minute by conventional industry standards, the 1.2-hectare field sown at biodynamic farm Ekoboerderij de Lingehof in 2019 would take upwards of 100 people to maintain–let alone harvest–by hand, requiring significant commitment and coordination given the unpredictability of activities and extent of the labour involved.
André Jurrius of Ekoboerderij de Lingehof engages technical innovation in support of his biodynamic farming practice, this extends to his approach to cultivating flax for The Linen Project. Together with cultivation supervisor Karlijn Bokhorst, assisted by the field research of WUR student Talis Bosma, the helping hands of generous volunteers, and the industry insight and practical experience of established flax fibre and seed producers in the Netherlands, The Linen Project navigated what it means to grow a small-scale biodynamic flax field for fibre production in the Gelderland region, taking a machine-based approach to harvest activities while working in tune with nature.
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Biodynamic preparation
In the weeks before sowing the field was cultivated a number of times, disrupting the soil to prevent weed growth and creating an even seedbed. The ground was sprayed with a horn manure preparation one week prior to the flax seeds being sown, according to biodynamic practice. This is done to enhance the life of the soil and the relationship between the soil and the plants.
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Weighing and preparing the flax seeds
The flax seeds are weighed carefully beforehand to accurately determine the seed distribution and set the row density, an important factor in flax cultivation. The density of flax plants affects their growth; plants growing close together generally tend to result in long slender stems with less branching, a desirable outcome for fibre production.
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Sowing the flax, day 1 of 100
The flax field at the Ekoboerderij de Lingehof was sown using a GPS-driven tractor. Sowing conditions and rows being predetermined, the steering system guides the path of the tractor within an accuracy of millimetres, allowing André to focus his attention on monitoring the operation of the seed distributor.
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Getting in touch with the base
Flax is traditionally grown in a clay ground, often located in coastal regions. Ekoboerderij de Lingehof is situated on river-clay along the banks of the Linge in Hemmen, in the more central Betuwe region of the Netherlands. The advisory report prepared for The Linen Project by Wageningen University & Research ACT team Re-Flax confirmed that this river-clay ground could provide a suitable base for flax cultivation.
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Machine weeding
Taking into account measures that allow the tractor to ride over the sprouting field, a tine harrow was used for this first round of weeding in the first weeks of growth, to disturb the soil and any undesired plant growth that is germinating between the flax rows. At this early stage, the flax seedlings are resilient and expected to recover well.
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First round of weeding by hand, day 30 of 100
Now that the flax seedlings are established it’s time for the human touch – weeding by hand to remove competing plant growth. The row width is wide enough to fit a foot in between, allowing the cultivation crew to move through, proceeding with care. Biodynamic practices do not involve any pesticides or herbicides as these are detrimental to biodiversity. All animals, plants and soil are recognised as a single system, the pulled weeds are left on the field.
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Second round of weeding by hand, day 39 of 100
During the second round of hand weeding a ‘Lazy Weeder’ pulled behind the tractor was used on part of the field to cover more ground, allowing the cultivation crew to hover above the now considerably longer flax plants to pluck undesired plant growth out from between. Flax growing in the tractor's path may not fully recover – considering the scale of the field this could be perceived as a relatively small consequence, although in contrast with the gentler path taken so far.
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Third round of weeding by hand, day 46 of 100
Ideally, the field would be cleared of weeds before the plants reach knee height and become vulnerable to fibre damage. The cultivation crew realised that a field this size requires more hands than could be gathered at this point, so the decision was made to use the available energy in this final round to target the most urgent weeds: thistles that threaten to outgrow the flax and become prevalent.
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Maturing flax, day 54 of 100
The flax at Ekoboerderij de Lingehof is on track to reach its potential length of between 80 and 100 centimetres. Here it is roughly halfway to the harvest and the long, delicate fibres are almost fully formed. The first seed pods are developing. Once the bloom is over, the flax stalks will 'ripen' and turn shades of gold. The harvest at this location is indicated for early August.
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Flax bloom, day 59 of 100, 11:00 am
Flax flowers bloom for just one day, opening at dawn and closing up by noon. We have learnt that one flax stalk holds seven flowers on average, of which one flower blooms per day. The blue sea of the flax field in bloom often lasts for just over a week, sometimes two. Once the flowers close the seedpods start to form, as can be seen here.
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Ripening flax, day 90 of 100
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Pulling the flax
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Dew retting
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Mid-harvest weeding
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Germinating flax seed
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Turning the flax
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Clearing out the thistles
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Baling the flax
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Bringing in the flax harvest