U-pick farm De Zonnegaard

De Zonnegaard is a certified biodynamic farm located in Voorst, Netherlands. The farm is dedicated to building healthy soil through centuries-old farming traditions, using certified organic manure, a wide crop rotation, and green manures. They prioritize flavor over yield, sometimes choosing lower-producing crop varieties for their superior taste.

Visitors can self-pick flowers in the pick-your-own flower garden from the end of March through October. The season begins with tulips and daffodils, followed by spring flowers like columbine, summer blooms such as cornflowers, zinnias, and cosmos, and continues into autumn with dahlias and asters. When ripe, visitors can also pick small fruit like berries and raspberries, as well as various kitchen herbs.

The farm is open to visitors for its farm shop, which is open on Fridays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The pick-your-own flower garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The farm also sells its produce at markets in Zutphen on Thursday mornings and in Deventer on Saturdays. The farm is wheelchair accessible, accepts credit cards, debit cards, and contactless mobile payments.

What visitors say

This self-picking farm and its accompanying shop consistently receive high praise from visitors. Many enthusiastically recommend the experience, particularly highlighting the joy of picking fresh flowers and delicious strawberries. The farm is widely lauded for its diverse selection of organic and biodynamic produce, including vegetables, fruits, and other grocer’s products, all noted for their exceptional freshness and quality.

Beyond the excellent produce, the friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate staff are frequently mentioned as a significant positive, contributing to a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the beautifully organized open days and the thoughtful conveniences provided for self-picking, such as readily available information cards, scissors, and buckets, along with flexible payment options that include bank transfers. Many reviewers express their intention to return, often noting the farm as a wonderful outing for families with children. While one customer had a less positive interaction with rushed staff at the farm shop, contrasting it with a friendly market experience, the overwhelming sentiment from visitors points to a delightful environment, excellent products, and generally pleasant interactions with the dedicated team.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Farm shop Farm shop

De Hommelhoeve

4.3 km — gelderland

De Hommelhoeve is a small-scale, mixed farm situated near Brummen, between Zutphen and Apeldoorn, that operates using nature-inclusive, biodynamic principles. The farm is dedicated to producing healthy food while creating a habitat for wildlife. It is a member of the Association for Biodynamic Agriculture and has a rating of 4.3 stars from 7 Google reviews. The farm features a wheelchair-accessible parking area. The centerpiece of the farm is a self-pick garden, where members can harvest fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruit. A subscription provides weekly access to the harvest throughout the growing season, which runs from approximately April or May until the winter produce is depleted. The cost for a full season subscription is €375 per adult, with a reduced rate for children. In addition to the self-pick garden, the farm’s shop sells grass-fed beef from Brandrode cattle, free-range pork from Duroc pigs, and eggs and meat from free-range chickens. Vegetables are also available for purchase in the shop during the harvest season.

Bij ons in de tuin

9.2 km — gelderland

Welcome to Bij ons in de tuin, a charming pick-your-own flower garden nestled at the end of a sandy path in a meadow in Terwolde. This colorful oasis offers a unique and relaxing experience for anyone who loves flowers. Visitors are invited to wander through the flower fields, breathe in the scents and colors, and create their own personal bouquet. Throughout the season, you can self-pick a wide variety of flowers. The tulip season marks the start of the year, followed by a summer filled with blooms including dahlias, zinnias, and many others. The garden is in full glory from late spring through summer, with the garden being described as a true sea of flowers in July. The picking season generally runs from spring until autumn.

StadsAkkers

10.3 km — gelderland

StadsAkkers is a non-profit organic farm located on 2.5 hectares in Apeldoorn, growing a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and herbs. The farm also has an orchard with 200 apple and pear trees. Beyond food production, the organization focuses on providing a meaningful outdoor work environment for people who may face barriers to the regular job market. Visitors can purchase produce at the on-farm shop, ’t Akkertje. For those who want to participate directly, a self-pick subscription allows weekly harvesting. The self-pick season runs from May through October. Each week, subscribers can pick 4 to 5 different types of vegetables and fruit (when available), plus a bunch of herbs and, regularly, flowers. The expected yield averages enough for 3 to 4 meals per week, based on 200 grams per person. Self-picking is scheduled for Wednesday afternoons (13:00-16:00), Fridays (10:00-18:00), and Saturdays (09:00-12:00). During holiday periods, a friend or family member can pick on the subscriber’s behalf.

Nieuwe Akker

11.2 km — overijssel

Zelfoogsttuin Nieuwe Akker is a self-pick vegetable garden and nursery located on the Deventer countryside, between Schalkhaar and De Vijfhoek. Operating on 1.3 hectares of fertile land, this Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative offers members the experience of harvesting their own fresh, organic vegetables. All produce is grown without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers, emphasizing a natural and sustainable farming approach. Membership is seasonal, running from May through March of the following year. Through a harvest subscription, participants can visit the garden regularly to pick from a wide variety of seasonal crops, including lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, red currants, and herbs. Winter purslane is available for harvesting even during the colder winter months. A small herb garden and a tunnel greenhouse are also present on the site for off-season production.