For this reason there are four red-white posts in the grass in Rokkeveen

There are four red-white posts in the mayor Hoekstrapark in Rokkeveen. To see the color they probably give an important message. A warning, danger or advice?

The question came to the editors of Indebuurt through reader Cees van Lochem and we presented to the municipality of Zoetermeer. It turns out that they use the posts because of the Japanese knotweed. This exotic plant has nothing to look for in our little country and demolishes our nature.

Stop that trade

At this location in the park, the municipality combines this annoying plant together with the neighborhood contractor. The neighborhood contractor placed posts to prevent mowing. This ensures that the plant spreads faster, says a spokesperson for the municipality.

In addition, the posts make it easier to estimate whether the planting place of the plant is spreading or becoming smaller.

Knot in your stomach

The municipality of Zoetermeer reserved money in 2024 for the fight against the Japanese knotweed. In Zoetermeer this exotic is at 11,000 square meters of surface. The plant is growing at lightning speed and displaces indigenous plants and constructions, according to the municipality. So action was needed.

In addition, the municipality on the Edisonpark building site is working on a test to combat the thousand button. Under a layer of plastic, a thousand button plants and rhizomes are mixed with a biological mix. This ensures that all oxygen disappears from the ground, so that the plant does not survive. With a good result, the municipality can possibly use this stuff in several affected places.

Also spotted a mystery?

Another Zoetermeers mystery solved! Do you walk around with a mystery? Know that you can always send the editors of Indebuurt Zoetermeer a question or tip. As a Zoetermeerder you want to know everything about your city?