De Blije Bodem is a regenerative pick-your-own garden in Groningen where visitors harvest their own vegetables, herbs and flowers. The garden grows over 50 crops, including seasonal vegetables such as kale, beans, fennel, lettuce, carrots, celery, kohlrabi, aubergines and peppers, as well as unsprayed flowers like sunflowers and marigolds, and fresh herbs including lemon verbena, lemon balm and cola herb. Potatoes and onions are not grown here, as the space is used for produce that is harder to find organically or relatively expensive in shops.

The garden operates on a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model. Visitors become “harvest participants” by purchasing a seasonal subscription, which allows them to pick their own produce throughout the growing season. The main season runs from May to December, with a winter season extending the harvest for subscribers. Each week, participants receive a newsletter detailing what is ready to pick, along with harvesting instructions and recipes. The garden is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so visitors can harvest whenever it suits them.

Pricing is based on a solidarity system, where participants choose their weekly contribution based on what they can afford. The minimum suggested contribution is €22 per week, with €26 per week needed to sustain the system. Children under six can join for free, while those aged six to twelve pay half price. Subscriptions cover the full season and cannot be cancelled mid-term.

In addition to harvesting, De Blije Bodem hosts workshops and events focused on sustainability, cooking and gardening, such as flower arranging, fermentation and zero-waste cooking. The garden is also a public space, offering a green oasis with seating areas for relaxation and community gatherings. Parking is available nearby.

What visitors say

The garden is well-kept and clearly tended with care. Visitors describe it as a lovely spot, with a welcoming feel—some call it a beautiful initiative. There’s no mention of what’s picked or how the process works, but the experience seems straightforward and enjoyable. Nothing suggests disappointment, though the reviews are brief.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Farm shop Farm shop

het Proefveld

7.6 km — groningen

At Zelfoogsttuin de Proefvelden in Haren, you pick your own vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers and mushrooms from late May until December. The farm grows a wide range of seasonal produce, including potatoes, strawberries, beans, courgettes, carrots, beetroot, various types of cabbage, spinach, lettuce, radishes, leeks, onions, pumpkins and herbs such as basil, parsley, mint, rosemary and thyme. There are also soft fruits like raspberries, blackberries, red and white currants, and flowers including marigolds.

't Plukgeluk

8.3 km — groningen

’t Plukgeluk is a pick-your-own garden near Noordwolde where visitors harvest organic vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs. The farm grows a wide variety of seasonal produce, including tomatoes, beetroot, kale, radishes, various cabbages, herbs like oregano and rosemary, and self-made creams and salves from garden plants. Eggs and soya milk are also available. The garden is open on Saturdays from 12.00 to 17.00. On these days, you can walk the fields with a basket and pick what is in season. You pay for what you harvest. The rest of the week, a roadside stall sells fresh produce daily. The stall operates on an honesty system: you take what you want and pay by leaving cash in a box or transferring the amount online.

Klein Alma

10.4 km — groningen

Tuinderij Klein Alma in Bedum is a pick-your-own vegetable garden where visitors harvest their own produce directly from the fields. The farm grows around forty types of vegetables, including Chinese cabbage, lettuce, leeks, beans, tomatoes, courgettes, carrots, beetroot, kale and pumpkins. The harvest season runs for about 32 weeks, roughly from spring to late autumn, with different crops available each week. Examples include broad beans and fennel in early summer, tomatoes and potatoes in late summer, and kale and parsnips in autumn.

Ten Boer

14.7 km — groningen

At Zelfoogsttuin Ten Boer in Ten Boer, visitors pick their own vegetables and herbs from May to November. The farm is run as a regenerative zelfoogsttuin, where members harvest weekly during the season. You pay a fixed membership fee rather than by weight, and the produce is grown without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. The farm is open from Monday to Saturday, with varying hours—typically 08.00 to 18.00 on weekdays, 08.30 to 20.00 on Fridays, and 14.00 to 16.00 on Sundays. The entrance and parking are wheelchair-accessible. There is no on-site shop or café, but the farm provides information on how to join and what to expect.

Stichting De Blije Bodem