U-pick farm Blij op de Boerderij Zorgboerderij

Blij op de Boerderij is a small-scale care farm with a strong creative focus, nestled between the bulb fields in a rural area of ’t Zand. The farm provides a warm, home-like day program for a diverse range of participants from age 14 to around 90. It is a safe and welcoming space for individuals with various needs, including those with dementia, autism, ADHD, non-congenital brain injury, chronic pain, and psychological challenges. The facility is wheelchair and walker accessible in several areas and features a gender-neutral toilet. Led by a female entrepreneur, the farm is an LGBTQ+-friendly environment offering personalized, person-centered care.

The farm features a pick-your-own garden and a vegetable garden for participants to maintain, plant, and harvest. Produce includes flowers, fruit, and vegetables, which are used for cooking on the farm or can be taken home. While specific seasons for picking are not detailed, the garden is tended throughout the year as part of the day program’s activities.

Business Hours:

Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

What visitors say

This care farm consistently garners high praise, described as a warm, welcoming, and highly effective establishment that offers far more than typical day care. Visitors and participants frequently highlight its wonderfully cozy and homely atmosphere, where a sense of peace and accessibility makes everyone feel immediately at home.

At the core of its success is a dedicated team, with particular appreciation for leaders like Jos and Diaan. Staff members are consistently lauded as kind, caring, professional, and remarkably creative. They are committed to providing personalized care, skillfully adapting activities to meet individual needs and interests, even for those who might typically find group settings challenging. This tailored approach ensures every participant, from youth to adults, enjoys a fulfilling and meaningful experience.

The farm provides a diverse range of engaging activities, promoting interaction, personal growth, and a sense of purpose. Beyond the structured support, guests appreciate the beautiful grounds, which include a picking garden, along with delicious fresh soup and sandwiches. Reviewers also frequently note the loving care given to the animals, the strong communication with families, and the valuable internship opportunities offered. It is widely recommended as a place where joy, learning, and genuine care truly flourish.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Farm shop Farm shop

Floratuin Julianadorp

7.9 km — noord-holland

Floratuin Julianadorp is a flower bulb specialist located in Julianadorp, situated in the largest contiguous flower bulb region in the world. The business features a physical store, a webshop, and a show garden of 7,000 m². A tulip pick-your-own garden is available, allowing visitors to pick their own tulips directly from the field for €0.35 per stem. The tulip garden opens on April 1st and remains open as long as the tulips are in bloom, typically until mid-May. Over 150 varieties of tulips are available for picking in this garden. The show garden and the selection garden are open for viewing from the end of March until mid-May. Admission to the show garden is free of charge, and free parking is available.

Tuinderij de Marlequi

11.5 km — noord-holland

Tuinderij de Marlequi is a versatile market garden and activity centre located in Warmenhuizen, North Holland. The farm operates a shop and greenhouse that sell a wide variety of seasonal plants, flowers, fruits, and decorative items. The business also offers holiday cottages, group activities, creative workshops, and hosts a major autumn fair. Self-picking and related seasonal offerings include: Grapes (Boskoops Glorie): Available for self-picking from September. Flowers and plants: Visitors can choose and pick their own viols, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring bloomers from the greenhouse. Pumpkins & gourds: A large selection of edible and ornamental pumpkins, cucumis, and exotic bottle gourds are available for sale in the autumn. Pumpkin carving workshops are also offered. Sunflowers: Sold in bundles from mid-July. The main season runs from February 14th (Valentine’s Day) until November 11th (St. Martin’s Day). During this period, the shop and grounds are open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.

by Broersen

11.9 km — noord-holland

By Broersen is a third-generation family farm located in Warmenhuizen, North Holland, specializing in the cultivation of traditional Dutch products. The farm grows and sells its own asparagus and strawberries, and also features a pick-your-own garden and a year-round farm shop that offers a variety of local and artisanal products. A pick-your-own garden is available for fruit and cut flowers. The fruit available for picking includes various berries such as red, white, black, and blue currants, gooseberries, jostaberries, loganberries, and blackberries. This fruit is available from the beginning of July through August. Cut flowers are available for picking from the end of June until October. In addition, strawberries can be picked in the greenhouse during the summer holidays for the North region, typically from early July to mid-August. The strawberry picking season runs Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during these weeks.

Pluktuin van Geesje

14.8 km — noord-holland

Pluktuin van Geesje is a self-picking farm and orchard located on the northern edge of the Geestmerambacht recreation area, near Alkmaar. The farm operates on approximately two hectares and combines fruit and nut trees with soft fruit, vegetables, flowers, and livestock, including sheep and pigs. All produce is grown without chemical sprays, and the farm works according to natural and biodynamic principles, with a focus on closed-loop systems, biodiversity, and soil health.