Instructions
Instructions MoestuinMix
Welcome to the instructions page! Here you can digitally read the instructions you received by post. Prefer to receive a PDF? Send an e-mail to moestuinmix@wur.nl. By post, you should have received an envelope with the following contents:
- Seeds for broad beans and red beets
- Instructions for the experiment (in Dutch)
- Answer forms
- Your unique ID number
Below are the translated instructions as you have also received them on paper.
Course of the experiment
The experiment starts as soon as you have sown the broad beans (step 1). You may look after the garden and broad beans as usual. The experiment ends when you have harvested your first broad beans (step 5) and completed the Moestuin-profile (step 6). Of course, after that you can continue harvesting your beans as you like and growing your choice crop and red beets if they are still in the garden. We do not measure the yield of the red beet and choice crop.
Besides the measurements of the broad beans (steps 1 to 5), we are also very interested in general information about your garden. Think about the environment of your garden, how you manage the garden and what type of soil you garden on. This is relevant for the analysis of the experiment. For this, we would like to ask you to also fill in the moestuin-profile. This can be found on page 13 and online at www.cropmix.nl/en/moestuinmix/resultaten.
Instructions per step
Click the tabs to read the instructions for every step.
To make sure all the results from the gardens can be compared, it is important that everyone executes the experiment in the same manner. That's why we give you detailed instructions for every step below.
Important
- Read all of the instructions before you start.
- You can grow broad beans as you are used to, but: Always treat broad beans next to red beets and broad beans next to the choice crop equally. For example: sow the same number of broad beans with the same spacing next to the red beets as next to the choice crop. If you fertilise, give both groups of broad beans the same amount of the same manure and if you choose to control aphids, do so in the same way in both groups of broad beans.
Step 1: Sowing the broad beans, red beet, and choice crop
When to sow?
You decide when to sow broad beans, red beet and your choice crop and whether to pre-sow the crops or sow them directly in the open ground. Generally, broad beans can be sown from February and red beet from April to June. So you don't have to sow the broad bean, red beet and your choice crop at the same time, but do keep the treatment of broad beans in the two beds the same, including the sowing date and planting distance.
Instructions
Use answer form step 1 om je antwoorden op te noteren (pagina 7).
- Sow the broad beans, red beets, and your choice crop as follows: For the experiment, lay out two boxes in the garden: one with the broad bean-red beet combination and one with the broad bean-choice combination. In section 1, sow half the bag of broad bean seeds in a row, with the whole bag of beetroot seeds next to it in a row. In section 2, sow the other half of the bag of broad bean seeds in a row, with a row of the choice crop next to it. How many seeds this is depends on the chosen crop and the planting distance you need to use for it.
Do not put other neighbouring crops next to broad beans (other than beetroot and your self-selected crop). You can put them next to a path or partition, for example, if this fits. The minimum distance from the next crop is 60 centimetres. The picture on the next page shows an example of what this could look like in your garden.
Note on your answer forms:
- Which crop you chose yourself to combine with broad bean and why.
- The (pre)sowing dates of your broad beans, red beet and choice crop.
On the answer sheet, note the planting distance of broad beans, red beet and choice crop (if you thinned beetroot seeds: fill in the planting distance after thinning)
If you want, you can thin out the plants after the beetroot emerges. However, this is not compulsory. For this, see the block ‘Additional information: beet seeds and thinning’. Note on the answer sheet whether or not you thinned the beetroot.
Additional information: beet seeds and thinning
Beet seeds are actually a so-called ‘fruit cluster’ rather than a single seed. This means that in the corky structure of a beet seed there are several seeds together. When you sow these, this allows several plants to emerge in the same spot. You can choose to keep the largest and strongest of those plants in the same spot and carefully remove the others. We call this thinning. It is not compulsory, you can also leave the plants in their entirety.
Stap 2: Bloeidatum, tellen en meten aantal bonenplanten
Wanneer planten meten?
Je voert deze stap uit wanneer de tuinbonen beginnen te bloeien.
Instructions
Use answer form 2 om je antwoorden op te noteren (pagina 8).
- Tel het totaal aantal bonenplanten naast de rode biet en naast het keuzegewas en noteer dit.
- Noteer de datum waarop de tuinbonen naast de rode biet en naast het keuzegewas gingen bloeien. Dit kan ook dezelfde datum zijn.
- Meet de hoogte van 10 willekeurige planten in elk vak (naast rode biet en naast je keuzegewas) en noteer de hoogte in centimeters.
Step 3: Counting aphids and natural enemies (optional)
When to count aphids and natural enemies?
Step 3 consists of two measurements. You count aphids and natural enemies for the first time when the bean plants start flowering (at the same time as step 2). You count for the second time when you can harvest (at the same time as step 5).
Important: Controlling aphids
Are you going to control aphids? Then make sure you do the first count before you control aphids. Control aphids in the same way on broad beans next to beetroot as you do next to the choice crop.
Instructions
Use answer form 3 to note down your answers (page 9).
- Indicate on the answer sheet whether you have fought aphids, if so: when and how.
- Enter the date you count aphids and natural enemies.
- Choose 10 broad bean plants at random from the box with the beetroot and give each plant a score for the presence of aphids. Appendix A shows the scores you can choose from. That score is based on an estimate of the number of aphids. Write down the score per plant that best matches the number of aphids.
- Observe the natural enemies present on the broad beans in the red beet patch. Count the number of insects per species. To identify the natural enemies, use the chart with photos (Appendix B).
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the broad bean plants next to your choice crop.
Step 4: Counting pollinators (optional)
Wanneer bestuivers tellen?
Je mag zelf kiezen wanneer je bestuivers gaat tellen, zolang de planten maar bloeien. Bij voorkeur tel je de bestuivers drie keer, bijvoorbeeld een week nadat de planten zijn gaan bloeien, een week later, en twee weken later. Dit geeft een betrouwbaarder resultaat dan één keer tellen.
Let op: Weersomstandigheden kunnen je telling beïnvloeden. Tel daarom alleen als het:
- tussen de 18-25 graden is
- tussen 10:00 en 18:00 is
- droog is
- er weinig wind staat
- minder dan 50% van de lucht bewolkt is
Instructions
Deze instructies herhaal je voor elke telling. Gebruik antwoordformulier 4 om je antwoorden op te noteren (pagina 11).
- Noteer de datum van je observatie.
- Ga in je tuin zitten/staan en tel gedurende 10 minuten het aantal bestuivende insecten per soort op de tuinbonen naast de rode bieten. In bijlage C vind je plaatjes van de meest voorkomende soorten.
- Tel in de volgende 10 minuten op dezelfde manier de bestuivende insecten per soort bij de tuinbonen naast je zelfgekozen gewas.
Step 5: Harvesting broad beans
Wanneer oogsten?
Can you harvest at least 10 pods from the broad beans next to the beetroot and at least 10 pods from the broad beans next to your choice crop? Then it's time to start measuring your yield. You can decide when to harvest, but do so at the same time for the broad beans next to the beetroot and the broad beans next to your chosen crop. Keep the broad beans from the two boxes separate for counting.
Instructions
Use antwoordformulier 5 to record your answers (page 12).
- Note whether or not you were able to harvest your broad beans.
- Were you able to harvest? Then proceed to step 2.
- Were you not be able to harvest? If so, note this on the answer sheet too. Also indicate why the harvest failed, because even a failed harvest can provide valuable information. You don't have to fill out the rest of answer form 5.
- Note the date of the first broad bean harvest.
- There may have been a difference in when the beans next to the red beet and the beans next to your choice crop were ripe. Note which plot was ripe first to harvest.
- Count from 10 random broad bean plants in each box (next to red beet and next to your choice crop) how many pods in total (both harvest-ripe and the still small pods) are hanging from each plant at the time of this first harvest. Record this on the answer sheet.
- Next, harvest the broad beans as follows, keeping the beans from each compartment separately:
- Working from bottom to top, harvest a total of 10 pods from the lower whorls of broad beans next to your red beets. Open/cap them and count the number of beans in each pod. Fill this in on the answer sheet.
- Working from bottom to top, harvest a total of 10 pods from the lower whorls of broad beans next to your chosen crop. Open/cap them and count the number of beans in each pod. Fill this in on the answer sheet.
Step 6: Filling out the moestuin profile
To properly analyse the data from the experiment, we are also very curious to get some background information about your vegetable garden. Therefore, we made a questionnaire with questions about your garden and how you experienced this season. You can find the moestuin profile in your welcome package on page 13 or fill out the moestuin profile online.
Also see the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
Sending us your results
In your welcome package, you will find paper answer forms that you can take to your garden. After you have taken the measurements and noted your answers on the paper answer forms, you can submit the results to us using the online forms below. Or use your phone to directly enter the results in the online forms.
Would you rather send us your paper answer forms by mail? You can do this, without a stamp, by sending it to:
Wageningen University & Research
Att. Yvonne Florissen, Entomology
Antwoordnummer 30
6700 VB Wageningen
Remember to fill in your tracking number when returning the results to us by post. This ID number is on your welcome letter.
Do you have a nice picture or did you see something interesting in your garden you would like to share with us? Send us an email at moestuinmix@wur.nl or tag us on LinkedIn! @CropMix
Would you like to know more or do you have questions? Please contact us via moestuinmix@wur.nl.
MoestuinMix is a citizen science project in which non professional vegetable growers and gardeners experiment with different crop combinations.
In collaboration with
More information
Do you have questions? Read the frequently asked questions or contact us at moestuinmix@wur.nl.
Frequently asked questions
When do I start the experiment?
The experiment starts once you sow the broad beans. You can choose when you do this. Pre-sowing can be done from mid-February onwards.
When does the experiment end?
The experiment ends when you have harvested the first broad beans.
Where do I find my tracking number?
Your personal tracking number is on the welcome letter you received from us. We use this number to link the results of different steps.
What is the choice crop?
The chosen crop is the crop you choose yourself to combine with broad beans. Use your knowledge and creativity!
How do I send in my results?
You can submit your results digitally via the green buttons above or on the results page. For each step in the survey, there is an online form. You type the data yourself from your paper forms. We really appreciate this a lot!
You can also enter your results directly online in your garden. To do this, you need a phone or tablet with an internet connection.
I prefer to send my results by post, is that possible?
Yes, you can do so without a stamp to the following reply number:
Wageningen University & Research
Att. Yvonne Florissen, Entomology
Antwoordnummer 30
6700 VB Wageningen
Please remember to fill in your tracking number when returning the results to us by post!
Which crops will I test?
Each participant tests the combination broad bean-red beet and a combination with garden bean and a crop of their own choice. You are completely free in this, so you have to provide the seeds yourself. You report to us which crop you have chosen.
What should I measure?
You measure the yield of broad beans by counting the number of pods and beans. If you want to do more, you can choose to observe aphids and natural enemies in addition. Want to do even more? Then count pollinating insects as well.
It is important to note the date you sowed and harvested and the operations you did, such as fertilising or weeding.
Please also let us know about other background info through the moestuinprofiel, such as the soil type of your garden, what other crops are there and what the environment of the garden looks like. This can in fact affect your results.
When should I sow?
You can decide when to sow broad beans and red beets. Broad beans are usually sown from March and red beets between April and June.
What steps does the experiment consist of?
- Sowing the broad beans and noting down the date (mandatory).
- Counting and measuring the bean plants (mandatory).
- Counting aphids and natural enemies (optional).
- Counting pollinators (optional).
- Yield resultsmandatory).
- Filling out the moestuinprofile
When should I harvest broad beans and red beets?
You can decide when to harvest the broad beans and red beets. Broad beans are usually harvested from May and red beets as soon as you find them big enough to harvest.
Why don't we measure the red beets?
In this experiment, we look at how the broad bean performs next to different neighbouring crops. We are not testing the red beets with another neighbour crop, so there is no need to measure the yield of the beets.
Can I control aphids and still participate in aphid counting?
Yes, you can control aphids, but keep the treatment across the two groups of broad beans (naast rode biet en naast je keuzegewas) the same.
Are you going to fight aphids and want to participate in the aphid and natural enemy count? In that case, make sure you do the count before you control. Note on the answer sheet how and when you took measures.
We consider cutting the tops of the broad beans also to be controlling aphids.
Can I cut the tops of the broad beans?
Some people cut the tops from broad beans as a precaution to prevent aphids. This is allowed, of course, but keep the treatment of the two groups of broad beans (naast rode biet en naast je keuzegewas) the same.
Want to participate in aphid and natural enemy counts? Then make sure you do the count where possible before you intervene. Note on your answer sheet when you took off the tops of the broad beans.
What is the role of AVVN?
AVVN samen natuurlijk tuinieren is a partner in the CropMix consortium. We work together in building the MoestuinMix experiments, aimed at people with a kitchen garden.
What do I get in return?
Besides it being fun to participate in the experiment, you also get an insight into how your garden is doing. You will receive interim results and interesting facts about crops, pests and biodiversity. We also share great tips on broad beans. Last but not least: by participating, you contribute to knowledge about sustainable agriculture and help future farmers increase biodiversity in their fields.
Who is behind MoestuinMix?
Researchers from Wageningen University & Research coordinate CropMix, a five-year research programme, and the experiments in MoestuinMix. Here, we work together with AVVN samen natuurlijk tuinieren.
What is the goal of the experiment?
Our aim is to learn more about crop diversity and how it works in practice in a vegetable garden or in a field. We are specifically looking for crop combinations that promote cultivation and the processes that ensure this. This knowledge could be important for farmers who want to work with crop diversity in their fields.
Why do you ask the help of vegetable gardeners?
A vegetable or kitchen garden is pre-eminently a place where crop diversity is high, but there are also big differences between gardens. For instance, in soil type, type of environment and which crops are grown. This provides interesting data.
Moreover, vegetable gardeners often have a lot of valuable knowledge about combining crops. We like to retrieve that knowledge to see what insights could be useful for arable farmers.
What happens with my data?
CropMix researchers will analyse the data collected to draw conclusions about which crop combinations work well, for example for higher yields, fewer pests and more biodiversity. Where possible, we will use the data for scientific publications to further share the results with other researchers and eventually arable farmers.
We process the results from your garden anonymously and confidentially. Your participation in MoestuinMix is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time without giving any reason.
Are the seeds provided organic?
Yes, the seeds we provide are organic. Broad beans from De Bolster and red beet from our partner Bejo Zaden.
I don't want to participate anymore. What should I do?
You can always pull out of participating in the experiment. Please send us an email at moestuinmix@wur.nl. You don't have to tell us the reason.
Is you question not answered above? You can send us an email at moestuinmix@wur.nl.
MoestuinMix is a collaboration between CropMix and AVVN samen natuurlijk tuinieren.
