lemon verbena - Discover U-Pick farms in the Netherlands

Picking lemon verbena under the open sky is a delight—its citrusy fragrance filling the air as you pluck the bright green leaves. Whether you’re alone, savoring the quiet moment, or laughing with friends and family, the act of harvesting this fragrant herb feels like a tiny celebration of summer. The leaves are tender and aromatic, perfect for carrying home in a basket, their scent lingering on your fingers.

Once home, lemon verbena’s versatility shines. For tea, steep a handful of fresh leaves in hot water for 5 minutes—light, refreshing, and soothing. In the kitchen, try these ideas:

Lemon Verbena Shortbread: Cream butter and sugar, fold in finely chopped leaves, bake until golden.
Grilled Peach & Verbena Salad: Toss peaches with olive oil, grill, then sprinkle with torn verbena leaves and feta.

For a cocktail, muddle a few leaves with gin, elderflower liqueur, and a splash of soda—bright and herbaceous. Or tuck a sprig into a vase for a simple, fragrant decoration that perfumes the room. However you use it, lemon verbena brings a touch of sunshine indoors.

Oogsttuin Hof van Heden

fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers

noord-brabant

Hof van Heden is an unsprayed vegetable and small fruit garden located in Almkerk, Netherlands. They grow over 65 different kinds of vegetables and herbs year-round, including beets, turnip greens, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, snow peas, rhubarb, beans, and tomatoes. The berry garden features about 10 types of berries like raspberries, blackcurrants, jostaberries, redcurrants, and blackberries. There are also around 25 young fruit trees, including 10 fig trees in a mini food forest.