Ah, the sheer delight of “summer flowers”! In the Netherlands, as the days stretch long and the sun warms the fields, there’s a truly joyful activity that beckons locals and visitors alike: picking your own vibrant bouquet straight from the earth.

The Pure Pleasure of Picking Your Own Petals

Imagine stepping onto a picturesque Dutch farm, the air buzzing with the gentle hum of bees and a symphony of colours stretching out before you. This isn’t just a trip to the florist; it’s an adventure! With a pair of snips and a bucket in hand, you’re invited to wander through rows of magnificent blooms – towering sunflowers, delicate cosmos, cheerful zinnias, fragrant lavender, and so many more, all swaying gently in the breeze.

The pleasure lies in the simple act of choosing. There’s no rush; you can meander, admire, and carefully select each stem. Perhaps you’re drawn to a fiery orange dahlia, or maybe a soft pink snapdragon catches your eye. It’s a wonderfully mindful activity, a chance to connect with nature, feel the sun on your face, and let your creativity blossom.

Whether you go solo for a peaceful escape, creating your own personal floral masterpiece, or bring friends and family, the experience is equally enchanting. Watch the little ones light up as they discover their favourite flower, or enjoy a good chat with loved ones amidst the beauty. It’s a perfect outing for all ages, creating not just a beautiful bouquet but also cherished memories. The best part? Knowing that every single flower in your armful of joy was hand-picked by you, a direct result of your own delightful exploration.

Bringing the Blossom Brilliance Home: Ways to Use Your Summer Flowers

Once you’ve left the fields, bucket overflowing with your colourful conquests, the fun continues back home!

For Decoration (Main Event for Flowers!):

  • The Classic Vase: The most obvious, yet always stunning! Arrange your freshly picked blooms in a vase (or several!) to instantly brighten any room. Play with heights and textures for a professional-looking display, or simply plonk them in for rustic charm.
  • Centrepiece Chic: Create an eye-catching centrepiece for your dining table, perfect for everyday meals or special gatherings.
  • Gift of Love: A hand-picked bouquet makes a thoughtful and personal gift for a friend or neighbour – it shows you’ve put extra love into it.
  • Pressed Beauty: For a lasting memory, press some of the smaller, flatter blooms between heavy books. Once dried, use them to decorate cards, bookmarks, or frame them as delicate art.
  • Dried Delights: Hang bunches of flowers like lavender, statice, or hydrangeas upside down in a cool, dark place to dry. They’ll make beautiful, long-lasting arrangements that carry a piece of summer through the colder months.

Beyond the Vase: Edible Summer Flowers!

While most “summer flowers” from pick-your-own farms are for decorative purposes, many farms also cultivate specific varieties that are perfectly safe and delicious to eat! Crucial disclaimer: Always, always confirm with the farm or a reliable source that a specific flower is edible before consuming it! Once you’ve confirmed, a whole new world of culinary creativity opens up!

Here are some ideas for using edible summer flowers (like pansies, violas, nasturtiums, calendula petals, borage, lavender, chamomile), often found on these very farms:

Two “Cooking” Recipes (for Edible Flowers):

  1. Vibrant Edible Flower Salad:

    • Description: A simple yet stunning way to elevate any salad from ordinary to extraordinary, adding bursts of colour and subtle flavour.
    • Ingredients:
      • 4 cups mixed greens (e.g., spring mix, baby spinach)
      • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
      • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
      • 1/2 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries)
      • 1/4 cup edible summer flowers (e.g., pansies, violas, calendula petals, borage flowers, nasturtium leaves/flowers)
      • For the dressing: 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste.
    • Instructions:
      1. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, goat cheese (if using), nuts, and berries.
      2. Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
      3. Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
      4. Carefully scatter the edible flowers over the top of the salad for a beautiful finish. Serve immediately.

  2. Sweet & Fragrant Floral-Infused Sugar:

    • Description: A delightful way to capture the essence of summer flowers in a versatile kitchen staple.
    • Ingredients:
      • 1 cup granulated sugar
      • 1/4 cup fresh, clean edible flower petals or florets (e.g., lavender florets, rose petals, calendula petals, chamomile flowers – choose one or a mix)
    • Instructions:
      1. Ensure your chosen flower petals are completely dry. Gently remove the petals from the stems.
      2. In a clean, dry jar, layer the sugar and flower petals.
      3. Seal the jar tightly and shake gently to combine.
      4. Store in a cool, dark place for at least one week, shaking daily, to allow the sugar to absorb the floral fragrance and flavour.
      5. After infusion, you can either sift out the petals for a smooth sugar or leave them in for a decorative touch.
    • Uses: Sprinkle over baked goods, stir into tea or coffee, use to sweeten lemonade, or rim cocktail glasses.

Herbal Tea Recipe (for certain edible flowers/herbs):

  • Calming Chamomile & Lavender Dream Tea:
    • Description: A soothing and aromatic blend, perfect for winding down after a busy day or simply enjoying a moment of tranquility.
    • Ingredients:
      • 1 tablespoon fresh chamomile flowers
      • 1 teaspoon fresh lavender florets (ensure it’s culinary lavender)
      • 1 cup hot water (just off the boil)
      • Honey or lemon wedge (optional, to taste)
    • Instructions:
      1. Place the fresh chamomile and lavender in a tea infuser or directly into a mug.
      2. Pour the hot water over the flowers.
      3. Steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
      4. Remove the infuser (or strain the flowers) and sweeten with honey or add a squeeze of lemon if desired. Enjoy!

Cocktail Recipe (using edible flowers):

  • Summer Blossom Gin Spritzer:
    • Description: A refreshing and visually stunning cocktail that truly captures the spirit of summer.
    • Ingredients:
      • 2 oz (60ml) Gin (or skip for a mocktail version)
      • 1 oz (30ml) Elderflower Liqueur (or homemade floral simple syrup using lavender or rose petals)
      • 0.5 oz (15ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
      • Top with Sparkling Water or Prosecco
      • Garnish: Edible flower ice cubes (freeze small pansies, violas, or borage flowers in water), fresh mint sprig, lemon slice.
    • Instructions:
      1. In a highball glass, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
      2. Add a few edible flower ice cubes to the glass.
      3. Top with sparkling water or Prosecco.
      4. Gently stir to combine.
      5. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lemon slice. Sip and savour the taste of summer!

So, next time you’re in the Netherlands, don’t just admire the fields from afar. Grab your snips, embrace the sun, and enjoy the magical experience of picking your own summer flowers – a bounty of beauty and, perhaps, even a delicious treat or two!