U-pick farm Stadstuinderij Het Zoete Land

Het Zoete Land is a city farm located in Leiden, on the corner of the Zoeterwoudsesingel and the Cronesteinkade, next to the Trigon sports field. The farm is run by a professional grower together with a foundation and a team of volunteers, and is open to the public. It produces food and flowers in an ecologically responsible manner, aiming to make the city greener and healthier.

Participants can self-pick a wide variety of produce throughout the growing season. This includes vegetables, herbs, berries, and other small fruit. The farm also offers a separate option for picking cut flowers, allowing participants to create their own weekly bouquet of 15 to 20 stems. Notably, there is a long waiting list for participation in either the harvest or flower-picking programs.

The main harvest season runs from approximately the end of April to the beginning of November. Flower picking is available from May or June through October. During the harvest season, the farm is open for picking on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The farm is wheelchair accessible, and the site is open to visitors all year round. The property is managed by Stichting Leiden Oogst.

What visitors say

This self-picking farm or garden consistently receives glowing reviews, establishing itself as a beloved and unique city garden, often described as one of the nicest places in Leiden. Reviewers frequently highlight its beautiful appearance and the peaceful, green oasis it provides right in the city center. It is widely praised as an excellent initiative, valued for its educational and social contributions, and its popularity is clearly evident. Visitors commend the friendly staff, good organization, and the overall well-maintained nature of the harvest garden. Special features like the opportunity for participants to harvest their own vegetables and a charming barefoot path are also noted. The venue further impresses by successfully hosting events, with one reviewer enthusiastically recalling a memorable festival.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Bij Mei

3.0 km — zuid-holland

Bij Mei is a nature-friendly, certified organic self-pick farm in Zoeterwoude, located just a short distance from Leiden. Operating as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative, the farm cultivates vegetables and flowers without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. Participants in the farm support the growing season in advance and, in return, share in the weekly harvest. The self-pick vegetable season runs from May through November, with members harvesting an average of about five different vegetables per week. The selection includes familiar produce such as carrots, lettuce, and zucchini, as well as more unusual varieties like runner beans and kale. The self-pick flower season typically starts in June and continues until the first frost, usually around the end of October. During this time, members can come weekly to pick a bouquet of seasonal, field-grown blooms. Day visitors can also purchase a single pluck card or a multi-visit strip card to pick flowers.

Hazelland 10

6.9 km — zuid-holland

Hazelland 10 is a 5-hectare agro-ecological estate in the Geerpolder, located between Zoeterwoude, Zoetermeer, and Leidschendam. It operates as a self-picking farm where members, called “oogstgenoten” (harvest companions), can pick their own vegetables, herbs, fruit, and nuts. The farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative, meaning participants do not buy produce directly but instead contribute financially to the farm for a season and receive a share of the harvest in return. No synthetic pesticides are used, and all planting and seed stock is organic. The farm is currently working toward official Skal biocertification.

Voedselbos Benthuizen

8.8 km — zuid-holland

Voedselbos Benthuizen is a 1.2-hectare organic farm and food forest located on the edge of the village of Benthuizen. This former pasture has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem filled with nut trees, fruit trees, berry bushes, and edible plants. The farm is designed to create a healthy environment for both people and wildlife, with all produce grown in natural soil without the use of pesticides. It operates as a community-focused space where members can actively participate, learn, and enjoy the harvest.

Kwekerij Eko Logisch

9.1 km — zuid-holland

Kwekerij Eko-Logisch is a biodynamic vegetable nursery and farm shop situated at Floraweg 114b, Roelofarendsveen 2371AR. The farm operates from Tuesday to Saturday, open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors can pick their own fresh organic seasonal vegetables and flowers, and also find eggs available in the farm shop. What visitors say This self-picking farm and its shop receive widespread acclaim for their outstanding quality and diverse offerings. Visitors consistently praise the fantastic, delicious, and wonderfully fresh produce, specifically highlighting organic, unsprayed vegetables and what some call ’the tastiest bread in the world.’ Beyond fresh greens, the farm provides specialty items like meat from their own Bentheimer pigs and eggs from their own chickens, as well as a selection of dairy products, embodying its reputation as a ‘healthy supermarket’ free from artificial additives. The friendly and well-informed staff are frequently commended for their excellent service. Many describe the establishment as a beautiful, charming ‘village shop’ featuring an extensive assortment. While the overwhelming sentiment is positive, one customer did find the price of two bell peppers, at €6.45, to be quite high.