This network of city farms and gardens across Utrecht offers urban residents various ways to connect with nature and sustainable living. Visitors can explore vibrant green spaces, interact with farm animals, and engage in numerous activities and educational programs focused on nature, environment, and sustainability.
Several locations feature opportunities for self-picking:
Flowers: During the picking season, typically from mid-June to late October, various city gardens, including Stadstuin Food for Good, Kasteeltuin Nijevelt, Stadstuin Kanaalweg, Stadstuin Klopvaart, Stadstuin Zuilen, Steede Hoge Woerd, and Eilandsteede, offer self-pick flower gardens. Guests can often collect their own beautiful, unsprayed, bee- and butterfly-friendly bouquets, sometimes for a small fee.
Vegetables and Herbs: Stadstuin Zuilen explicitly welcomes visitors to harvest their own vegetables from its harvest garden every Friday from May through October. This location also cultivates a food forest with edible plants, trees, and shrubs, including various large and small fruits. At Stadstuin Food for Good, Kasteeltuin Nijevelt, Stadstuin Plutodreef, and Eilandsteede, self-harvesting of vegetables, fruits, and herbs may be possible upon inquiry with the on-site staff. Eilandsteede’s herb garden allows visitors to take a portion of the harvest for personal use.
In addition to self-picking, many locations operate farm shops or stalls where fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, and honey are available for purchase.
What visitors say
This highly-regarded city garden is consistently praised as a beautiful and unique urban food garden, a green oasis situated within Park Transwijk, near Kanaleneiland. It’s viewed as a wonderful initiative, successfully fostering community by connecting people with nature in a social, sustainable, and educational setting that warmly welcomes everyone. Visitors frequently highlight the cozy and pleasant atmosphere, often enjoying delicious tea and cookies. The friendly, volunteer-run staff ensures a warm reception, whether individuals are simply strolling through, engaging in conversation, or participating in organized group activities, such as an afternoon of gardening work complete with generous refreshments. High-quality fresh produce grown on-site is frequently available for purchase from a cart at the entrance.