U-pick farm Boomgaard de boswachter

Boomgaard de boswachter is a family-owned orchard and park located at Ockhuizerweg 41 in Utrecht (postal code 3455 SB). This site is a local, family-run attraction that is licensed and insured. The orchard welcomes walk-ins and offers a wheelchair-accessible environment with parking. It is a dog-friendly location suitable for children, with opportunities for walking and picnicking.

The orchard features self-picking of fruit, operating as an open attraction. The business has a strong reputation based on over 30 reviews. The orchard is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, including all weekends.

What visitors say

This self-picking farm or garden is predominantly praised by visitors as a lovely, beautiful, and remarkably peaceful green space. Many find it an ideal location for activities such as picnics or simply relaxing under the fruit trees, and it’s also a popular stop for those on a bike ride. Guests appreciate the opportunity to pick their own fruit, including apples, pears, cherries, and plums, with some noting that the produce is available for free.

However, not all experiences have been entirely positive. Some visitors have observed that the fruit trees bear moderately, with cherries sometimes not yet ripe during the season. There’s also concern among a few reviewers about a noticeable decline in maintenance. Additionally, one review explicitly advises visitors to be mindful of ticks when exploring the area. The site features a small parking area for convenience.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Moestuin de Haar

0.4 km — utrecht

Moestuin de Haar is a self-harvest garden located on the historic production grounds near Kasteel de Haar in Utrecht. Spanning 1.5 hectares, the garden is cultivated using environmentally friendly methods according to the principles of biological agriculture, without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. The garden operates as a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project, where a community of participants shares both the bounty and the risks of the harvest season.

Plattelandswinkel De Haarse Gaard

0.8 km — utrecht

Plattelandswinkel De Haarse Gaard is a countryside farm shop and fruit-growing family business, located in Haarzuilens, Utrecht. Run by the third generation of the Van Rossum family, the business primarily sells fresh produce, including fruit grown in its own orchard, alongside a wide selection of regional products. The farm is committed to sustainable growing practices and holds a Global G.A.P. certification. Visitors can self-pick apples and pears from the orchard during the annual Appelplukdag (Apple Picking Day), which is typically held on a Saturday in September. Other fruit from the farm includes plums and brambles. The farm shop carries a diverse range of other fresh items such as vegetables (e.g., kale, courgettes, bell peppers, leeks, green beans, and various cabbages), soft fruits, tropical fruits, and citrus fruits, as well as local meats, dairy, artisanal bread, coffee, eggs, honey, and other specialty foods.

Geertjes Hoeve

1.0 km — utrecht

Geertje’s Hoeve is a working farm and family-friendly attraction in Haarzuilens, Utrecht, where visitors can experience farm life firsthand. The farm is home to goats, pigs, and other animals, and features an on-site cheese-making operation, a farm shop, and a lunch restaurant. Self-picking of produce is a key activity. Visitors can pick their own bouquets of flowers from the farm’s fields. This is available on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00 during the months of July, August, and September. As a group activity, flower picking is available from June through October. The farm shop also sells a variety of produce grown on the farm, including potatoes, courgettes (zucchini) harvested from July to mid-October, and a wide range of pumpkins available from September. The farm is open year-round, with the following general hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. Please note that from the autumn school holiday (starting October 26, 2025) through the spring school holiday (ending February 14, 2026), the farm is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The farm is closed on King’s Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, but is open on all other public holidays, though hours may vary. It has been voted the “Leukste Uitje van Utrecht 2026” (Best Day Out in Utrecht 2026). Payment can be made by pin pass or contactless mobile payment. The farm is wheelchair accessible, with a designated parking space, entrance, and toilet. Free street parking is available, and the site is suitable for children.

Stichting Moestuin De Haar

3.7 km — utrecht

Moestuin de Haar is a 1.5-hectare self-harvest garden situated on the historic former production grounds of Kasteel de Haar. It operates as a community-supported agriculture (CSA) project, combining historic preservation with seasonal food production. The garden is managed by a foundation, along with gardeners and volunteers, and serves as a community space where members can enjoy the landscape, socialize, and eat according to the seasons. Produce available for self-picking includes vegetables, soft fruit (kleinfruit), herbs, and flowers. All cultivation follows organic farming principles, using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Biodiversity and soil health are prioritized through compost, crop rotation, and green manures.