De Lekbongerd is a historical orchard located on the Lekdijk West 85 in Schoonhoven, Netherlands. It offers a resting point for hikers and cyclists, along with local products and educational opportunities. Elize, Joost, and their children have owned the orchard since June 2016.
The orchard, established around 1937, features plum, apple, pear, and walnut trees. Visitors can make an appointment to view the orchard or attend the Open Blossom Days in the spring or the Self-Picking Days in the fall. The orchard is located behind the owner’s house, and the farm shop/resting point is open to visitors while respecting their privacy.
The website highlights the orchard’s seasonal beauty, from the blossoms in spring to the harvest in autumn and pruning in winter.
The orchard grows a variety of fruit, including:
- Apples: ‘Schone van Boskoop’ (Green Reinette), ‘Melrose’, ‘Ingrid Marie’, ‘Goudreinet’ (Red Reinette), ‘Sterappel’, ‘Benoni’, ‘Groninger Kroon’, ‘Lemoen’, ‘Glorie van Holland’, ‘Zoete Oranje’, ‘Zoete Bloemee’, ‘Brabant Bellefleur’, ‘Rode Dijkmanszoet’, ‘Zoete Kroon’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Elstar’
- Pears: ‘Beurre Hardy’, ‘Saint Remy’, ‘Triomphe De Vienne’, ‘Gieser Wilderman’, ‘Kleipeer or Winterjan’, ‘Legipont’, ‘Winterrietpeer’, ‘Doyenne du Comice’, ‘Beurre Hardy '
- Plums: ‘Opal’ (purple), ‘Reine Claude’ (yellow-green), ‘Victoria’ (red/pink)
- Other: Walnuts, blackberries (‘Loch Ness’, thornless), gooseberries, red currants (‘Jonkheer’), black currants, rose hips (‘rugosa’ pavement), black mulberries.
The orchard also sells apple-pear juice, plum jam (including varieties with blackberries, gooseberries, or red currants), pear-apple syrup, fruit blossom honey, and walnuts. The plum jam is made in collaboration with a local care farm (dagbesteding), with the orchard donating 2/3 of the income to the care farm foundation.
De Lekbongerd collaborates with local businesses like Imkerij de Nesse (honey), Vereniging Hoogstamfruit Groene Hart (orchard conservation), Streekwinkel Krimpenerwaard (local products), and photographers.
Visitors can purchase products from the farm shop on a self-service basis from Monday to Saturday.
What visitors say
This orchard offers a delightful experience, particularly during apple-picking season. Visitors can revel in the open space and appreciate the beautiful trees. One memorable visit with residents of “de Herbergier” included coffee, delicious apple pie, and plenty of room to relax. A fun activity is picking your own apples, and even better, the “moesappels” (apples with blemishes) are free for the taking.