Pluktuin de Bosrand is a self-picking farm and garden located on Dorskampweg in Wageningen, welcoming visitors from May 24 to November 1 each year. It offers a unique experience for all ages to harvest their own produce while enjoying the picturesque views of the Wageningse Eng. The farm emphasizes sustainable cultivation practices, growing flowers and fruits without chemical pesticides, with a focus on preserving nature, soil, and biodiversity.
Visitors can self-pick a wide variety of seasonal offerings. The selection includes an extensive range of cut flowers, such as peonies, dahlias, cosmeas, zinnias, heleniums, globe thistles, and sunflowers, among many others like asters, irises, lilies, roses, and sweet peas. Edible flowers like daylilies, hibiscus, and cornflowers are also available.
The fruit section boasts a rich assortment of berries and tree fruits. Guests can pick:
- Berries: Redcurrants (including ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ and ‘Rolan’), blackcurrants, blueberries (several varieties like ‘Patriot’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Pink Lemonade’), thornless blackberries (‘Chester Thornless’), summer and autumn raspberries (e.g., ‘Tulameen’, ‘Autumn Bliss’, ‘Polka’, ‘Fallgold’), Japanese wineberries, kiwiberries, gooseberries (including ‘Hinnonmäki Gold’, ‘Pax’, ‘Captivator’, ‘Hinnonmäki Red’), and jostaberries (a blackcurrant-gooseberry hybrid).
- Other Fruits: Various types of grapes (such as ‘Boskoop Glory’, ‘Glenora’, ‘Himrod’, ‘Muskat Bleu’, ‘Solaris’, and ‘Venus’), apples (including ‘Elstar’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘James Grieve’), pears (like ‘Conferance’, ‘Doyenné du Comice’, ‘Clapp´s Favourite’), and plums (such as ‘Czar’, ‘Reine Claude verte’, ‘Opal’).
- Vegetables: Pumpkins and rhubarb are also available for picking.
For tea enthusiasts, a dedicated tea garden allows visitors to pick various mint varieties, including Moroccan Mint, Chocolate Mint, Strawberry Mint, Hillary Sweet Lemon, and Peppermint, to create their own herbal teas.
Beyond self-picking, Pluktuin de Bosrand provides a range of activities and amenities. A tea garden and terrace offer a relaxing spot for coffee, tea (including self-picked herbal tea), homemade fruit juices, and fresh baked goods often featuring farm-grown produce. The garden hosts various creative and educational workshops, such as flower arranging, jam making, smoothie preparation, and sessions on edible flowers or tea herbs. Group arrangements, children’s parties, and even yoga classes in the garden are also available. The scenic setting also makes it a popular location for photoshoots.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm and garden is widely celebrated for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds, offering a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers for visitors to harvest themselves. Nestled in a picturesque location, it boasts stunning views over the Wageningse Eng, creating a peaceful and cozy atmosphere that many find ideal for a relaxing day out, often enjoyed by families and groups celebrating special occasions.
Visitors frequently commend the delicious homemade products, including juices and cakes crafted from the garden’s bounty, along with the unique experience of brewing custom herb teas. The owner and staff are often praised for their friendliness, passion, and helpfulness, contributing to a welcoming environment that occasionally hosts engaging workshops and events. Furthermore, the farm’s commitment to nature, demonstrated by its pesticide-free cultivation, is a significant draw for many.
However, some visitors have raised concerns, primarily regarding the pricing. The cost of self-picked items, particularly fruit and flowers, is frequently described as expensive, with specific feedback mentioning €15 per kilogram for fruit and comparatively high charges for bouquets. The recent introduction of a €4 entry fee, which includes self-picked tea, has also been noted; while it provides a structured experience, it has shifted the dynamic from a free, spontaneous rest stop to a more formal outing, disappointing some who previously enjoyed it as a casual stop during bike rides. A few reviewers also reported encountering staff they perceived as unfriendly or overly strict when discussing prices or picking quantities. Despite these reservations, the garden’s inherent beauty and the unique hands-on harvesting experience continue to be its main attractions.