LOCOtuinen Maastricht is a cooperative self-picking garden situated at De Poshoof in Maastricht Oud-Caberg. This initiative brings together farmers and citizens to collaboratively produce healthy, local, and fair food using sustainable and ecological methods, ensuring no chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used. The project operates on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, promoting a stronger connection to food production.
Individuals can participate by becoming members of the cooperative and acquiring a Harvest Share Subscription, which grants access to approximately 30 weeks of self-picking. There are also temporary arrangements available for non-members and special discounted subscriptions for students, alongside a 4-week trial option. Members receive weekly updates detailing the vegetables ready for harvest, which they can then pick themselves between sunrise and sunset.
The garden cultivates a wide variety of seasonal produce for self-picking, including:
- Leafy greens: Green oak leaf lettuce, various lettuce types, endive, spinach, winter purslane, yellow and red Swiss chard, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, and kale.
- Cabbage and related crops: Broccoli, cauliflower, pointed cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, savoy cabbage, and kohlrabi (including purple varieties).
- Root and tuber vegetables: Beets, carrots, radishes, celeriac, and daikon radish.
- Legumes: Snow peas and green beans.
- Other vegetables: Fennel bulb, celery, zucchini, leek, flowersprouts, and spring onion.
Notably, potatoes and onions are not grown for self-picking on the farm, as they can be obtained from De Poshoof’s farm shop. The garden focuses on maximizing its space to provide a diverse and abundant yield for its members.