Pluktuin het Platteland is a self-picking farm located at Engersteeg 14 in Putten, offering a relaxing, nostalgic experience amidst windbreaks and meadows. Established in 2000, the farm allows visitors to harvest their own produce, providing a basket, scissors, or a knife, and advising guests to bring their own packaging. Chalkboards at the sales point indicate which items are available for picking on the day and their prices. Fields and fruit trees ready for harvest are marked with a red farmer’s handkerchief.
Visitors can self-pick a variety of produce:
- Vegetables: A wide selection of seasonal vegetables is available, with offerings varying daily. These can include lettuce, peas, and flavorful, colorful pumpkins in late summer. “Forgotten vegetables” are also cultivated. All vegetables are grown naturally from organic seeds, hand-weeded, and fertilized with the farm’s own sheep manure.
- Flowers: Guests can pick their own flowers to create custom bouquets. The price is determined by the bouquet’s size at the base, or by the stem for certain flowers.
- Fruit: Larger fruits like apples, pears, plums, and quinces are typically ready for harvest from around the third week of July, weather permitting.
- Small fruit: Harvesting begins earlier, around mid-June, and includes red, white, blue, and black currants, raspberries, blackberries, and more. Visitors are encouraged to taste a small fruit before picking and can mix different varieties into designated containers.
Beyond self-picking, the farm features a Coffeegarden where visitors can enjoy coffee, tea, cake, and other treats; high teas are also available by reservation. It also functions as a “Rustpunt” (rest stop) for walkers on the Norderpad or Hoeverveldpad. The farm hosts beehives that contribute to pollination, and honey from these bees is available for sale.
Pluktuin het Platteland also includes a brocante shop filled with antiques, brocante, retro, vintage, farmer’s nostalgia items, collectibles, small furniture, and lighting. The shop is open during the picking garden’s hours, and the farm participates in “BrocantePad Putten” on the first Saturday of each month. Children are welcome and can pick under supervision, with a sandpit and toys available for the younger ones. The farm also organizes workshops, such as small fruit pruning, and offers organic “Table d’hôte” (Aanschuiftafelen) meals for groups using ingredients from the garden and shop.
The farm is closed in December, January, and February, but open for groups by appointment. Contact details are available for inquiries.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm and garden offers a truly delightful and relaxing experience for visitors of all ages. Guests consistently praise the serene and idyllic atmosphere, often enjoying coffee, tea, or a delicious homemade lunch under the fruit trees. The food, including a variety of cakes (with vegan options available) and fresh dishes like soups, quiches, and salads, frequently incorporates ingredients straight from the garden and is highly commended for its quality.
The core attraction is the opportunity to pick a diverse range of fresh, often organic, fruits, vegetables, and flowers, providing an enjoyable and educational outing for children who love exploring the extensive sandpit and play areas. Beyond the picking fields, a charming farm shop offers a selection of local products, artisanal delicacies, and unique vintage items, which many visitors enjoy browsing. The staff generally receive high marks for being friendly, helpful, and hospitable.
While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, some guests note that prices for both the pick-your-own produce and items in the café and shop can be on the higher side. Occasional comments mention that the availability of certain fruits and flowers can vary significantly by season, and a few suggest improvements in garden maintenance, clearer signage in the picking areas, or faster service during busy periods. Despite these minor points, the farm is widely recommended as a “hidden gem” and a wonderful escape from daily routines, with many patrons eager to return.