Boerderij Eetmeerbosch in Nijmegen is a pick-your-own farm where you harvest vegetables, herbs and flowers directly from the fields. The farm grows over 120 varieties of seasonal produce, including lettuce, pak choi, Chinese cabbage, fennel, tomatoes, cucumbers, beetroot, strawberries, courgettes, pumpkins, leeks, kale and more. Herbs and edible flowers are available in unlimited quantities. From July to mid-October, you can also pick seasonal cut flowers such as field blooms.
The farm operates on a subscription basis rather than pay-per-kilo. You buy an annual harvest share, which allows you to pick your own produce weekly from April to December. After a short introduction, you can visit any day of the week from sunrise to sunset. You take what you need, and the farm works on trust. The farm also offers trial subscriptions for six weeks if you want to try it first.
Prices are based on a sliding scale according to income, making the produce accessible to different budgets. A household with a moderate income pays around €13.90 per week for the full season. Children under six pick for free, and older children pay half price. The farm is wheelchair-accessible, with parking available.
Eetmeerbosch is a regenerative farm, meaning it avoids synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, focusing instead on soil health and biodiversity. The farm also has a food forest with berries, fruit and nut trees, though this area is currently closed to the public to protect wildlife. Guided tours are occasionally offered.
The farm collaborates with local social organisations, and volunteers are welcome to help with tasks like weeding and composting on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Dogs are allowed if kept on a lead.
What visitors say
Visitors pay a yearly fee to pick their own vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers at Eetmeerbosch, and most say it’s worth it. The farm grows a wide variety, including less common types, and everything is well-tended. You can come daily during the season, and small signs mark what’s ready to harvest. A short tour at the start shows you how it works, and weekly updates list what’s available. The produce tastes noticeably better than shop-bought, and many enjoy the weekly routine of walking the rows and choosing what to take home.
The place feels peaceful and green, and the owners are hands-on and helpful. Children learn where food comes from, and some families make it a regular outing. A few mention that the plants are so well cared for that even large vegetables stay tender. The only downside is that you can’t pick in winter or early spring.