tomatoes - Discover U-Pick farms in the Netherlands

There’s something satisfying about plucking ripe, juicy tomatoes straight from the vine—whether you’re alone, laughing with friends, or teaching kids how to spot the perfect one. The warmth of the sun, the earthy scent of the plants, and the thrill of filling your basket with vibrant reds, yellows, or even purples make it a simple yet rewarding outing.

Back home, tomatoes shine in endless ways. Toss them in salads, blend them into gazpacho, or slow-roast them for pasta. For something heartier, try a classic bruschetta: dice fresh tomatoes, mix with garlic, basil, olive oil, and a pinch of salt, then pile onto toasted bread. Or whip up a creamy tomato soup: sauté onions and garlic, add chopped tomatoes, simmer with broth, then blend with a splash of cream.

For a refreshing twist, muddle tomatoes into a spicy bloody mary: combine tomato juice, vodka, a dash of hot sauce, Worcestershire, and a squeeze of lemon over ice. Garnish with a celery stalk and a cherry tomato skewer.

If you’ve picked a colorful mix, arrange them in a bowl as a bright kitchen centerpiece—their glossy skins and varied shapes are art on their own. And don’t forget: sun-warmed tomatoes taste best eaten straight from your hand, no recipe needed.

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.

Klein Alma

vegetables, flowers, herbs

groningen

Tuinderij Klein Alma is a self-picking farm in Bedum, run by Aukje Stoffelsma, her husband Stefan, volunteers, trainees, and picking participants. Aukje Stoffelsma started the farm in 2019 after graduating from Warmonderhof, a school for biodynamic agriculture. The farm operates on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) principle, where customers buy “harvest shares” for the season, allowing them to harvest their own produce weekly. This supports healthy agriculture and the local economy.

Kweekland

fruits, vegetables, herbs

gelderland

Stadstuin Kweekland is a green oasis in Arnhem, Netherlands, located on a south-facing slope near Sonsbeek Park. This urban farm spans 8,200 square meters and features two greenhouses and a landscape design inspired by the English countryside. The farm aims to be an ’edible landscape’ with a diverse selection of edible trees, shrubs, crops, flowers, and vegetables. As a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm since 2020, Kweekland relies on members who pay an annual fee for the right to harvest their own produce. CSA membership allows access to the garden from April 1st to December 1st, from sunrise to sunset.

Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers

fruits, vegetables

noord-holland

Van Reeuwijk is a family-run farm offering a self-picking experience, typically starting around June, depending on the weather. The farm is expanding its self-picking garden. Stay updated through their Facebook or Instagram pages. The self-picking process is straightforward: grab a picking basket with containers in the shop, receive a brief explanation of what’s available, and head into the garden to harvest your own produce. Strawberry plants are conveniently raised to standing height. You can pick as much as you like, ensuring the fruit is ripe. All picked fruit must be paid for; no returns are accepted. The strawberries, cherries, and raspberries are sheltered, making it a fun activity even in rainy weather. However, old shoes or boots may be useful after prolonged heavy rain. No reservations are required for self-picking.