As of 2012, the Belmonte Arboretum Foundation manages the arboretum. A number of things have changed in that time. The implementation is now done over the period of several years by “De Enk Groen en Golf” from Renkum.
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- A more natural image – We want a more natural image than before, one that renders justice to all functions of this garden. Consequently, offer more space to, for example, butterflies, insects and birds, by mowing the grass areas later, allowing them to blossom and go to seed. Moreover, the special collections need to be preserved at all times for future generations, the main aspect of our management.
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- No chemical detergentia– we use no chemical products in the daily maintenance. With one exception: when collections are threatened by diseases. But no preventive spraying, in any case. In a more natural image, we do not mind a few weeds here and there, we really want a lot of herbal plants, it is all right for the paths to have weeds here and there.
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- No plants around the trees– The black plant circles around the trees in the lawns, customary in the old days, have now been replaced by grass, to achieve a more natural and harmonious image. Grass can, of course, be mowed closer to the tree and less maintenance of the borders is required. However, additional manual mowing is now required.
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- Mulch with leaf around roses and rododendons – Around the roses and rododendrons, a thick layer of leaf has been applied, well up to 15 cm. This thick layer prevents weeds from growing too abundantly, and now less irrigation is required. The roots of the rododendrons have the additional advantage of not getting too cold in winter or too hot in summer. Nice for these plants.
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- Heath compost under rododendrons – For fertilizing, we choose as much as possible for organic material, such as compost. In 2013, we applied heath compost around the rododendrons for the first time, natural nutrition offering a boost to the plants.
- Moderate irrigation – We irrigate with moderation: the sooner in the season you start, the lazier the plants become, and then you need to give even more water. Watch the plants closely and irrigate in time, is the motto here.
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- Safety and quiet – We take the good of the public to heart. We pay attention to the safety in the park, we keep an eye on the healthy condition of the trees and, if necessary, remove those that present a danger. Even for that, we try to avoid working with motor mowers, the gardener works as often as he can with electric mowers and leaf-blowers. Much less noise, and therefore nicer for visitors. In the near future, we plan to put solar panels on the roof of the Koetshuis which provides a sustainable, integral solution.