Help with our little garden paradise in Balen, Belgium

  • Favourited 74 times
  • Last activity: 4 Dec 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    UPDATE 2023:
    Part of our garden is becoming a neighbourhood community garden. We installed two bigger poly-tunnels in 2022. This enlarged our veggie growing area a lot. So we actively look for travellers with green thumps or those who want to find out how green their fingers are.

    There are thought of constructing our own sauna this year. Some wood constructions in the garden could need a bit of love and tools too ... thus, somebody with knowledge of wood work is wanted.

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    UPDATE (from 2022, but projects not finalised):
    We still have the plan to improve water management:
    - Our pond needs care. More plants should grow in it. This will ask some shovel-work. The soil from it will create "Hügelbeeten" (raised beds). There is no better work-out for gaining muscles ;-)

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    A desire to help with maintaining & caring for the garden is very welcome, something that we do with much hart & soul and hope you join in with that too.

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    About us:
    We are a couple of two humans living in Balen, Belgium. Since 2015 we own a huge garden were we apply the principles of permaculture. Our garden is source of our vegetarian life-style and (outgrown) hobby, an experimental ground and home for biodiversity. We do not own a car but have plenty of bicycles to fill this "gap". Other types of sustainability are part of our daily life as well. We are e.g. members of the local "transition town" project, try to reuse when possible, decrease our ecological footprint etc.
    Instead of watching TV we prefer board games, books, music and internet.
    You may contact us in Esperanto, Deutsch, Nederlands or English.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    - learn about permaculture in practice
    - discover Esperanto the international language
    - maintain and repair bicycles
    - creative cooking

  • Help

    Help

    - all kinds of garden work, e.g. sowing, (trans-)planting all kinds of vegetables, fruits, trees, perennials; some "maintenance" (e.g. keeping nettles and bindweed in control); scythe the paths; harvesting & preservation (what is your favorite "grandma´s recipe"?!) ...
    - little construction projects outside, e.g. making tables, chairs etc. out of pallet wood, "upgrading" some small old bridges, setting up a holistic "water management system" ...
    - in the house: helping getting on with the renovation of some rooms upstairs (e.g. "vesting" the walls where now is only the basic structure after insulation) - some experience on this would be welcome; helping with the usual chores is also welcome (washing dishes, preparing meals etc.)
    - sometimes there will be "local" people helping as well, ideally some Dutch would be useful to help with children & elderly (but no requirement)
    - we have loads of idea´s but usually a hand short; we are also curious for your knowledge & are open for your input to make this place more resilient & enjoyable (it is already good but it can always get better ;) )

    In short: if you have experience with or enthusiasm about gardening you are very welcome, as well if you have skills as a carpenter, electrician, renovator, system-thinker, cook or some other craft-ship to give us a boost :)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Esperanto: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You can choose between having your room with bed & mattress
    OR have your private camping trailer in the garden
    OR bring your own tent

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our house is located in the "holiday" region of North-Belgium. It is a beautiful area for biking or having a walk or go swimming. There is a train station in our town, so going to the big cities of Belgium for sightseeing is possible.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    about 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 642386316756

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