De Blije Bodem, located in the Westpark of Groningen at Tarralaan 3, functions as a regenerative self-picking garden. This initiative strives to cultivate local, healthy, and flavorful produce while enhancing biodiversity, fostering community, and providing educational opportunities. The garden is being transformed from a former industrial waste field into a vibrant green oasis, open to the public for relaxation, inspiration, and learning.
Participants can join through a self-picking subscription, allowing them to harvest their own produce directly from the garden year-round. The farm cultivates over 50 different types of crops, including a wide array of healthy, unsprayed vegetables, fresh herbs, and unsprayed flowers. For the 2025 season, certain staples like potatoes, onions, and broccoli are intentionally excluded from the self-picking offering to make space for varieties that are typically harder to find organically or are more expensive in conventional markets. Cultivation is managed by professional gardeners using biodynamic principles, strictly avoiding artificial fertilizers and pesticides, and prioritizing soil health and a robust ecosystem.
Operating on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model with a “solidary payment system,” De Blije Bodem ensures that access to healthy food is affordable for everyone, regardless of their budget. Members commit for a full season, sharing in both the abundance and potential challenges of the harvest. While current self-picking spots are full for the season, the garden is in a phase of expansion to accommodate more participants in the future, with a waitlist available for interested individuals. Beyond food production, the farm actively organizes events, workshops, and lectures, promoting connection with nature, food, and each other.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm is widely praised by visitors, who consistently describe it as a delightful location and a commendable initiative.