Today we are journeying up a bit north along the Dutch coastline, to Egmond aan Zee. A small beach community only 40 minutes from Amsterdam (by car), where people still have tiny homes in the sand dunes, growing and selling their vegetables. P.S. this newsletter might go over the email limit so I’d recommend using the Substack app if you have it <3
Living in the sand dunes around Egmond aan Zee began as far back as 997 AD. It began with a small group of fishermen who lived in church-built homes and had to provide fish for payment to live there with their families. The men would go off to sea, along with any sons as young as eleven. Women stayed back to grow potagers and tend to the home. Tending to the home was no easy feat since every epic Atlantic storm that happens further erodes the coastline. Nowadays, some taxpayers money is used to help preserve the dunes by dumping harvested sand onto the beach to maintain the community. Over the last couple centuries, it has grown from an isolated village known for deep sea fishing and large bouts of poverty, into a flourishing lovable beach town with community garden initiatives.
These dune lands are preserved by Dune Lands Association “De Noord” as Egmond is one of the few coastal villages left in The Netherlands. There are around 340 dune lands (also called ‘lankies’) that exist under the name Duinlandjesvereniging. They are all occupied and the waiting list for one is so long that they even closed the ability to add your name to it. Those who choose to farm on their dune plot have to follow strict regulations and use the seeds supplied by “De Noord” to ensure nothing grown will affect the indigenous landscape of the protected area. Also, large orders allow for farmers to gain discounts from seed and fertilizer suppliers. Most commonly people grow: potatoes, onions and shallots, and sometimes fruit such as strawberries or blackberries. People no longer live there full time, and instead treat them as you would the garden houses the are often found around The Netherlands.
Every two years the association hosts a farmer’s market where each farmer can have a stand to sell their produce and meet curious visitors. The last one was September 2023, I’m sad I just learned about it now or I totally would have gone. They should really do something like that more often, who doesn’t love a coastal farmer’s market selling produce grown in the surrounding dunes.
Unfortunately, last autumn the dune gardens were flooded and hindered a lot of farming plans for the year. However, solutions are already underway with a research team of students from the University of Wageningen, who will be finding a solution for removing the water in the most natural way possible. This time water was pumped out and replaced by sand, but the community knows it will not be the last time this flooding happens. They are determined to find a more permanent prevention plan that will protect the delicate flora and fauna surrounding them.
the floods…
can’t forget the garden clogs
at least the ducks are able to enjoy their new ponds
When Nico and I first visited before covid, there were lots of charming little stalls in the dunes selling the famed dune potatoes and other seasonal vegetables and we picked up a bunch. This time sadly, the flooding issues were apparent, with multiple homes and their gardens still completely submerged. We only spotted one vegetable stall but it was empty of any potential produce. As sad as it was to see the flooding affecting the lankies in such a dramatic manner, it was still a beautiful walk through the dunes. There were some homes that were either unaffected by the flooding or had worked hard to cure their garden.
some houses seemingly unaffected by the floods, one fitted out with a green roof
flooded potagers that have been drained for cultivation
taking a nap in the dunes
some tulips growing in the wild
Now as delightful and exciting these dune potagers may seem (at least I feel that way lol), I feel I must disclose that PFAs have been found in some vegetables grown there due to the water being contaminated with polluted sea spray. However, it is a very low amount and probably nothing compared to the pesticides found in the food at your local Albert Heijn (the main grocery chain here), or even just the air in such a dense country as The Netherlands. But as always, wash your vegetables well and buy organic when possible.
It’s a shame that irresponsible industry and pollution has caused issues with PFAs throughout the country in recent years. It’s quite often an article pops up highlighting another part of the country where it has been found in water or crops or farmed animals. If any Dutchies are reading this and know of any grassroots initiatives that try to work against corporations causing these pollutants, message me <3
The beach town of Egmond aan Zee is really cute, geared towards windsurfing tourists, with corresponding shops. Lots of cafés and some stores selling locally made goods. We had a little beach picnic followed by a terrasse cocktail <3 the perfect way to end a long dune hike with the doggos.
We also spotted a garden for children to learn about cultivating in the dunes, which is so cool but unfortunately it looked to be flooded as well…
Hopefully solutions will be found to help the community of lankies in the coming years <3 in a meantime, it’s still a beautiful way to spend a sunny Saturday.
Thank you for being here <3
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