Utrecht Natuurlijk manages a network of five city farms and six city gardens spread across Utrecht, serving as vibrant community spaces dedicated to nature education, sustainable food production, and enhancing urban biodiversity. These locations offer a diverse array of activities for all ages, opportunities for volunteering, and some feature farm shops or cafes selling local and seasonal produce, including items harvested from the gardens and honey from resident bees. The organization emphasizes accessibility, with many sites offering wheelchair-friendly paths and facilities.
For visitors interested in directly harvesting their own produce, several locations offer self-picking opportunities:
- Flowers: Many city gardens, including Stadstuin Kanaalweg, Eilandsteede, Kasteeltuin Nijevelt, Stadstuin Food for Good, Stadstuin Klopvaart, Stadstuin Zuilen, and Steede Hoge Woerd, feature dedicated picking gardens where guests can gather various flowers, often for a small fee during the blooming season.
- Herbs: Self-picking of various herbs is available at Stadstuin Kanaalweg, and is sometimes possible upon request at Stadstuin Plutodreef, Kasteeltuin Nijevelt, and Stadstuin Zuilen.
- Vegetables: Stadstuin Zuilen explicitly offers self-harvesting of vegetables on designated days (Fridays, May to October). Visitors can also inquire about picking their own vegetables at Kasteeltuin Nijevelt, Stadstuin Food for Good, and Stadstuin Plutodreef.
- Fruits: Kasteeltuin Nijevelt may allow visitors to gather their own fruits upon request. Stadstuin Zuilen is also developing a food forest where various edible plants, including fruits, will become available for consumption.
What visitors say
Visitors consistently praise this urban farm as a delightful natural retreat. Located conveniently in the city, it’s celebrated as an oasis of peace, offering a tranquil escape. Patrons can visit on Wednesdays and Sundays to purchase fresh vegetables, or simply to relax and enjoy the lush greenery.