onions - Discover U-Pick farms in the Netherlands

Picking your own onions in the Netherlands is a surprisingly fun and satisfying way to spend a day outdoors. There’s something oddly therapeutic about pulling them straight from the soil, feeling the crisp stems in your hands, and filling your basket with fresh, earthy bulbs. Whether you’re solo or with friends and family, it turns into a lighthearted competition—who can find the biggest one, who can fill their bag the fastest, or who ends up with the most oddly shaped onion (bonus points for creativity!). The fresh, pungent smell clinging to your clothes afterward is a badge of honor.

Once home, the possibilities are endless. Onions are the unsung heroes of the kitchen—sweet when caramelized, sharp when raw, and always packed with flavor. Try them in a simple caramelized onion tart:

Roll out puff pastry, spread a layer of soft goat cheese, then top with thinly sliced onions caramelized in butter and a pinch of thyme. Bake until golden.
Or whip up a bright summer salad: toss sliced red onions with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, olives, and a lemony dressing for a refreshing bite.

For something cozier, let onions shine in a rich French onion soup—slow-cooked until sweet and topped with melted gruyère on crusty bread. If you’re feeling adventurous, blend a handful into a spicy salsa or pickle them for tangy toppings.

And yes, onions even sneak into drinks! Muddle a slice into a bloody mary for an extra kick, or infuse them into a savory cocktail with gin, rosemary, and a splash of citrus.

Whether you’re cooking, crafting, or just enjoying the fruits (well, veggies) of your labor, onions add a little fun to every step.

Ecologische Tuinderij De Tilgrupshof

vegetables, herbs

friesland

De Tilgrupshof is a self-picking farm in Appelscha, Netherlands, cultivating ecological vegetables since January 2024. The farm is part of an area focused on increasing biodiversity through ecological farming practices. Members, called “oogstgenoten” (harvest companions), pay an annual fee for the right to harvest their own vegetables and herbs for about 30 weeks, from mid-May to November. They can harvest 4 to 5 days a week. The farm operates on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) principle.

Gelukkige Groentes pluktuin Ooij

vegetables, herbs, flowers

gelderland

Gelukkige Groentes is a self-picking farm with ecological vegetables in Ooij, Netherlands. You can harvest your own vegetables weekly through a picking subscription. They focus on local food production to reduce CO2 emissions, restore biodiversity, reduce plastic waste, and minimize food waste. They have a location in Ooij and Malden and offer guided tours. With the picking subscription, you can harvest seasonal vegetables, herbs, and flowers from May to December. They grow over 60 different crops, including familiar vegetables like leeks, onions, carrots, and cauliflower, as well as less common ones like hakurai turnips and trombochini. You can also pick herbs like oregano, coriander, and dill.

Beleef Het En Eet Het

groente, bloemen

zuid-holland

“Experience it and Eat it” is a farm in Strijen where visitors can harvest their own vegetables. The idea was born to let people experience where their food comes from. Families, schools and adults are welcome to harvest potatoes, onions, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins, green beans, red and white cabbage. Children learn about the origins of honey through the beehives present. After harvesting, you can enjoy fries made from your own potatoes. The farm is open from mid-August to early November on weekends. Schools can also visit during the week by appointment. In the winter, maintenance is carried out, drainage is installed and administration is done. Flower borders have been created that help combat lice in a natural way. The harvested vegetables cost a small amount per kilo.