At Groentenhof Poelen in Groesbeek, visitors pick their own pumpkins from August to January. The farm also grows a range of other vegetables, which are available for picking or purchase in the on-site shop. Pumpkin-picking days take place every Sunday in September, with free entry, while Halloween pumpkin days are held on the last three Sundays in October, also free of charge.
You pay for pumpkins by the kilo, and the farm is open seven days a week during the season, from 08.30 to 18.30. The shop sells additional produce, including the farm’s own pumpkin-based products. The owners, Chris and Laura Poelen, also run a bed and breakfast and a terrace café, which is open on Sundays from 10.00 to 14.00 between May and October.
The farm is wheelchair-accessible, with accessible parking and an entrance. Children are welcome, and the farm occasionally hosts events such as pumpkin-carving activities. The fields are open year-round for the B&B and berghutjes (mountain cabins), though picking is seasonal.
What visitors say
Visitors come to pick pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and colours—from small decorative ones to large Halloween varieties. The selection is vast, with many calling it the best they’ve seen, and the quality is generally good, though a few mention pumpkins rotting quickly after purchase. Prices are reasonable, and the farm is especially popular in autumn for Halloween preparations, with some families making it an annual tradition.
The atmosphere is hit or miss. Many describe the staff as friendly and welcoming, especially during workshops or when helping children pick their own pumpkins. Others, however, report rude or aggressive behaviour from the owner, particularly when visitors take photos or handle the pumpkins. Children are usually welcome, but some reviews warn that the owner can be unwelcoming to them. Opinions on the experience vary sharply—some leave charmed, others frustrated.