Leiden sits on the edge of the famous Bollenstreek, the bulb-growing region world-renowned for its spectacular tulip and daffodil fields that draw millions of visitors every spring. The light, well-drained dune sand soils of the coastal strip between Leiden and the sea create ideal conditions for growing bulbs and cut flowers. But strawberries, raspberries and other soft fruits also thrive in this area, and in the polders to the east of the city you’ll find traditional small-plot vegetable growing. From the Leiden Rembrandt polder landscape to the flower-rich dune edges: the countryside around Leiden is close and the harvest abundant.
U-Pick Farms in and around Leiden
Around Leiden, Lisse, Voorhout, Alphen aan den Rijn and Sassenheim you’ll find a variety of pick-your-own farms and flower gardens where you are very welcome. You can pick tulips, summer flowers, strawberries and fresh seasonal produce in one of the most beautiful flower-growing regions in the Netherlands. You’ll also find an overview of all u-pick farms in South-Holland .
The best u-pick farms near Leiden: our picks
Around Leiden it is mostly self-harvest gardens and food forests, and nearly all of them work with members or a subscription. If you just want an afternoon of picking, check carefully first. Below is how it works at each one.
Bij Mei in Zoeterwoude is less than 4 kilometres from the city. A certified organic self-harvest garden: vegetables from May to November (about 28 weeks, around five kinds a week) and flowers from late June until the first night frost. A vegetable season costs €410 for one adult and €720 for two. For flowers there is a €175 subscription, or you buy a single picking voucher for €17.50. Open Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 to 17:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00. No dogs.
Voedselbos Benthuizen , about 10 kilometres away, is a food forest on an old meadow. Membership costs €45 a year (€75 for two) and then you pay supermarket prices for what you pick. Without membership you can only join a tour (€15) or a Pick & Taste walk (€27.50), booked in advance.
De Elisabeth-Hoeve in Nieuw-Vennep, about 13 kilometres away, is an arable farm of around 60 hectares with a self-harvest garden. A harvest share costs €400 per season, mid-May to the end of November. The garden and farm shop are open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, except Wednesday. A 4.3-kilometre walking path runs around the fields. With 40 reviews and a 4.8, it is the best rated of this bunch once you look at the number of reviews.
Juuls Landje Voedselbos in Boskoop is a small nursery with a food forest, a greenhouse and a picking garden. Cherries, plums and peaches in summer, nuts in autumn. You pay per kilo or per tray. It is first of all a day-activity centre, and picking days depend on the season. So get in touch first.
Landgoed Buitenleeft is in Delft, about 17 kilometres from Leiden, which makes it the furthest of the five. A community garden with a harvest subscription (€425 per season from 2027). You harvest once a week, on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. There is also a flower garden selling bouquets on Friday and Saturday.
Tip: parking at Bij Mei is limited. It is close to the city, so cycle there.