daisies

Daisies are so much more than just a cheerful face in the grass. Forget the neatly trimmed lawns—head to a “pluktuin” (pick-your-own garden) in the Netherlands for a truly sunny day out. Armed with a little basket and a pair of scissors, you’ll find yourself surrounded by fields of these happy, white-and-yellow flowers, bobbing in the breeze. The best part? There’s no wrong way to pick a daisy. Just snip the stem close to the ground (around 10-15 cm long is perfect for a vase), and try to pick them early in the morning when they’re full of dew and energy. It’s a wonderfully simple, meditative activity—perfect for a solo mindfulness moment or a giggly afternoon with kids and friends. Just watch out for the bees, who are having their own harvest party!

Once you’re home, let the flower power begin.

Daisies are surprisingly versatile. Their petals have a mild, slightly peppery, almost nutty flavor, and they’re perfectly edible.

For decoration:

The Classic Posy: Pop a generous handful of daisies into a simple glass jar or a small milk bottle. They look adorable on a kitchen windowsill, a bedside table, or a picnic blanket.
Daisy Chain Crown: You have to do it. Take a stem, make a small slit with your fingernail, thread the next stem through, and repeat. Wear it while sipping iced tea for instant flower-fairy vibes.
Ice Cube Magic: Freeze single daisy heads (or just the petals) in ice cube trays. Drop these into a pitcher of water, lemonade, or a clear cocktail for an instant “wow” factor at your next BBQ.
Confetti & Sprinkle: Gently pull the white petals off a few blooms and scatter them over a cake, a salad, or a tablecloth for a charming, natural confetti.

One Recipe for Daisies (Flowers): Daisy Flower Tea

This is a gentle, calming tea that tastes like a hug from a meadow.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon fresh daisy petals (white parts only, avoid the green base if you want a milder flavor) or 2 teaspoons dried, 1 cup boiling water, honey (optional).
Instructions: Place the petals in a mug or teapot. Pour the boiling water over them. Steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain (or just leave the floating petals, they’re pretty). Add honey to taste. Enjoy hot for a soothing nightcap, or iced for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. Note: Check for allergies, and use only daisies you know haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

Koningshof

flowers

utrecht

Koningshof is an urban agriculture initiative located on the eastern edge of Utrecht. Situated in a historic horticultural area within the floodplain of the Kromme Rijn, this green space is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the city’s agricultural identity. The site offers a range of activities focused on connecting people with a healthy and sustainable food system, where visitors can learn about growing, harvesting, preserving, and preparing their own food.

Hanna's Pluktuin

flowers, herbs, grasses

friesland

Hanna’s Pluktuin is a sustainable flower garden located just outside Makkinga in Friesland, offering visitors the chance to pick their own seasonal blooms directly from the field. This family-run garden focuses on sustainably grown flowers, providing a colorful and relaxing outdoor experience. Visitors can pick a wide variety of flowers, including dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, strawflowers, amaranthus, ornamental tobacco, matthiola, limonium, salvia, paper daisies, scabiosa, fountain grass, calendula, statice, echinacea, achillea, lamb’s ear, snapdragons, ammi majus, nigella, bronze fennel, phlox, gomphrena, lion’s ear, and marguerites, among many others.

Pluktuin Maarsbergen Maarn

flowers

utrecht

Pluktuin Maarsbergen Maarn is a small-scale, natural flower garden located at Halmweg 1 in Maarn. Run by a female entrepreneur Celia Nijenhuis, the garden is open for self-picking from June through September. During this season, visitors can pick their own flowers every Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 12:00. In inclement weather, the garden may open on an alternative day, announced via social media. Groups of 10 or more can schedule a picking visit by appointment.

De Boschhoeve

flowers, herbs, grasses

gelderland

De Boschhoeve is a nursery, garden, and tea garden located in Wolfheze, established nearly forty years ago. It features open gardens with inspirational borders for spring, summer, and autumn, an orchard, and a shade garden. The large pick-your-own flower garden offers a wide variety of seasonal, unsprayed flowers. Visitors can pick a colorful bouquet of perennials, annuals, and dahlias, with the picking season generally starting in late May and continuing until the end of the season in October. The large number of dahlias provides a vibrant foundation for bouquets throughout the summer and into the autumn. Visitors are advised to bring their own bucket and pruners for transporting their freshly picked flowers.

de Buytenhof

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs

zuid-holland

Boerderij de Buytenhof is a social farm located on the outskirts of Rhoon, a short distance from Rotterdam. It is a place where agriculture, nature, and community meet, offering a genuine farm experience to its visitors. The farm operates with a focus on nature-inclusive agriculture, where the land is cultivated to support both food production and biodiversity. Working alongside volunteers and care guests, the farm provides a peaceful, accessible environment for people to connect with the countryside and each other.