Groente bij Buurman is a self-harvest garden and flower picking farm located in Kortehemmen, in the Dutch province of Friesland, situated between Beetsterzwaag, Drachten, and Boornbergum. Founded out of a passion for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, the garden offers members and visitors the opportunity to connect directly with nature, harvest their own fresh produce, and experience the joy of working with the land. The farm holds a strong Google rating of 4.8 out of 5 and is confirmed as a family-friendly destination.
The Self-Harvest Vegetable Garden
The heart of Groente bij Buurman is its self-harvest vegetable garden, which operates on a membership basis running from May through November. Members can visit the garden from Tuesday to Saturday between 09:30 and 17:00 to harvest their own fresh, locally grown vegetables and herbs. Each week, orange signs throughout the garden indicate which produce is ready to pick, and members also receive a weekly newsletter with harvest updates.
The garden grows an impressive range of approximately 60 to 80 different varieties of vegetables and herbs, including:
- Lettuce and endive
- Swiss chard, broccoli, and various types of cabbage (red, white, pointed, savoy, kale, and palm kale)
- Brussels sprouts, fennel bulb, celeriac, and celery
- Sweet corn, pumpkin, and courgette
- Beetroot, carrot, leek, and onion
- Peas and beans
- Tomato, cucumber, and bell pepper (grown in the glass greenhouse)
- Garlic, melon, radish, and kohlrabi
- Herbs including chives, parsley, thyme, sage, bay laurel, rosemary, mint, and basil
Flowers are also available for members to harvest during approximately 15 to 20 weeks of the season, adding a beautiful bouquet to the weekly harvest.
The Flower Picking Garden
The flower picking garden is open from June onwards and is available to everyone — no membership required. For €7.50, visitors can pick their own bouquet of flowers in whatever colours and combinations they choose. Scissors and baskets are provided at the entrance. The flowers, which include a wide variety of species as well as Dahlias, are grown using regenerative principles — with organic planting stock and without the use of artificial fertilisers or pesticides. Payment can be made in cash or by QR code.
Regenerative Principles
All cultivation at Groente bij Buurman follows regenerative farming principles, with a focus on restoring and maintaining healthy soil, promoting biodiversity, and working in harmony with natural processes. The five core principles applied are: keeping the soil covered and green at all times, mixing and rotating crops, minimising soil disturbance, making full use of organic compost, bokashi, and animal manure, and using no artificial fertilisers or chemical crop protection products.
The Rest Stop (Rustpunt)
On sunny days, a cosy rest area called the Rustpunt is open to all visitors. Here, you can enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or lemonade while taking in the peaceful surroundings of the garden. The rest stop operates on a self-service basis. Children are welcome to pick flowers or play on the large sandpit on the property.
Animals on the Farm
The farm is also home to a variety of animals, making it a particularly enjoyable visit for families with children. Chickens roam freely on the grounds, and their eggs are available for purchase. Pigs are also kept on the farm and are raised in a natural and caring environment; pork packages of approximately 5 kg (frozen) are sold twice a year.
Seedling Sales
From around 18 April through to mid-August, young vegetable plants are available for purchase for those who wish to grow their own produce at home. New batches arrive every four weeks, and home-grown plants such as courgettes and pumpkins are also sold. Prices start at just €0.50 per plant, or three plants for €1.00.
Membership Details and Pricing
A seasonal membership runs from May to November. Adults pay between €250 and €350 per season, with the amount determined by what each member can afford — a sliding scale based on personal means. Children aged 5 to 17 pay 10 times their age in euros, and children aged 4 and under are free of charge. A one-month trial subscription is also available at €45 per adult and €10 per child (ages 5–17). Payment can be spread across up to six monthly instalments.
Volunteering, Education, and Tours
Groente bij Buurman regularly organises volunteer days, open to both members and non-members, typically running from 10:00 to 14:45. These are social, hands-on days with a meal prepared from garden produce included. The farm also offers guided tours and presentations for school groups and other interested visitors. Additionally, Groente bij Buurman is a recognised training company (erkend leerbedrijf) since 2023, welcoming interns who wish to gain practical experience in regenerative horticulture.
Opening Hours
The garden is open from 1 May, Tuesday through Saturday from 09:30 to 17:00. The farm is closed on Mondays and Sundays.
What visitors say
Members enthusiastically praise this self-picking farm for its abundant supply of delicious, fresh, and unsprayed vegetables, enabling them to enjoy seasonal eating. A key highlight is the farm’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, including organic, permaculture, and bokashi methods, with significant attention paid to soil health to ensure the produce is truly nutritious. Many express a clear preference for these vegetables over supermarket alternatives.
The farm cultivates a strong sense of community, offering members the option to participate in gardening tasks – an experience described as both educational and enjoyable, fostering a personal connection to the plants they later harvest. Volunteer days, in particular, are celebrated for their lively and sociable atmosphere.
Beyond the vegetable plots, the farm also features a flower picking garden, which has recently been made accessible to non-members. Visitors appreciate the peaceful environment and the added convenience of a ‘rest point’ where coffee is served or being established. Successful public events, such as a recent and “extremely nice” open day, further underscore the farm’s vibrant and welcoming appeal.