U-pick farm Landbouwbedrijf Gaos

GAOS is a biodynamic farm located in Swifterbant, in the Netherlands. It is a family-run operation that works with a focus on maintaining a balanced natural cycle, integrating plant cultivation, animal husbandry, and seed production. The farm uses manure from its own cows and chickens, light machinery to protect the soil, and follows a seven-year crop rotation to preserve fertile polder ground. Ten percent of the land is managed as a natural area, which includes a walking path.

Approximately twenty different vegetable crops are grown on the farm, sold through outlets like Hofwebwinkel and Odin. A portion of the produce, such as potatoes and tulips, has historically been available for self-picking; the tulip season has been announced for 2023. The farm also focuses on seed cultivation for crops like radish, Asian salad, broad beans, and wildflowers, supporting the development of open-pollinated varieties. The farm keeps a herd of Gasconne cows, mobile chicken houses that are moved every two weeks, and sheep that manage the natural strips in summer and graze on grass-clover fields in winter.

A 3.5-kilometer walking path, which is an official Kuierlatten route, leads past the fields and a nature strip, featuring ponds, natural art, a bird hotel, and a historic field hut. The flower garden, previously open for picking, is currently closed for an indefinite period.

The farm is open on Monday from 09:00 to 17:30 and on Wednesday from 09:00 to 16:30. It is closed on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The business is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google, and the site is wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and entrance.

What visitors say

Visitors consistently praise this self-picking farm, particularly highlighting its beautiful garden. Many appreciate the farm’s commitment to biodynamic agriculture, viewing it as a source of joy and benefit for plants, animals, and humans alike. Overall, the experience is described as wonderful and beautiful.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

De Stek

9.8 km — flevoland

De Stek is a small-scale, biodynamic market garden located on the northern outskirts of Lelystad, operating with a Demeter certification. Since 1993, vegetables and soft fruits have been grown on a plot of over three hectares. The season begins in the spring with soil preparation, sowing, and planting, and the first harvest starts around mid-May. The on-site farm shop is open from mid-May until the end of November on Wednesdays from 15:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00. Self-picking of strawberries is possible during June, exclusively during the farm shop’s opening hours. Throughout the season, a wide variety of produce is available, including leaf greens, beans, peas, fruit, cabbages, herbs, root vegetables, and greenhouse crops. The garden is closed during the winter months, from the end of November until mid-May of the following year.

Steege's Erf

17.2 km — overijssel

Steege’s Erf is a farmstead and multi-functional venue located in the rural outskirts of Kampen, at Zwartendijk 3. The property has been in the same family for five generations, originally operating as a dairy farm until 2003. It has since been transformed into a space that combines recreation, care services, and rental facilities, with a strong commitment to sustainability and community connection. A key feature is the pick-your-own garden (pluktuin). The garden opens in April with tulips (around 4,000 bulbs are planted annually), allowing visitors to pull their own tulips by the bulb. From the end of June, a summer garden opens with a diverse range of perennials and summer flowers ideal for making bouquets. Sunflowers are also grown from seeds collected the previous year. The pick-your-own garden and rest point are open from March to October.

Morren's blauwe bessen pluktuin

17.3 km — gelderland

Morren’s Blauwe Bessen is a farm located in Elburg, Netherlands, with its main operations at Diepesteeg 1a. The farm specializes in the cultivation of blueberries and features a self-picking garden where visitors can pick their own produce. The self-picking garden is open during July and August, operating every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 09:00 to 16:30. The picking season typically extends into early September, with the last day of picking potentially having adjusted hours.

Van Ons Land

17.5 km — flevoland

Van Ons Land is a self-picking garden located at Sternweg 13, Zeewolde 3898LH. The self-picking garden is currently closed, with its reopening planned for June 2026. However, pumpkins are available daily for self-service from a stall. What visitors say This charming self-picking flower garden offers a delightful experience, highly recommended by visitors for its beautiful blooms and warm hospitality. Conveniently located directly opposite the popular Barefoot Path, it provides guests with the opportunity to gather their own unsprayed flowers.