U-pick farm Vrijhof Oostwaard

Vrijhof Oostwaard is a former monastic farmstead located along the Vecht River between Utrecht and Maarssen, offering edible nature, relaxation, and cultural activities. The site combines a vegetable garden and a food forest in a circular agricultural system. The vegetable garden, established in 2021 on the fertile riverbank, provides vegetables and fruits from the soil. The food forest, planted in late 2015, grows nuts, berries, seeds, fruits, leaves, and flowers.

Under a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model, participants can sign up for a harvest share. This allows people to pick their own vegetables and herbs weekly during the growing season, from May through November. The produce is organic, local, and fresh from the land.

The farm is open for the 2025 season from May 3 through November 29. Opening hours are Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00. It is located at Oostwaard 9, 3602 AA Maarssen, in the Netherlands.

What visitors say

This location consistently receives praise as a beautiful and idyllic spot, perfectly situated by the Vecht river. Visitors particularly enjoy the opportunity to participate in the food forest and vegetable garden, where harvest share owners can pick their own produce. Beyond its agricultural charm, the venue also serves as a vibrant cultural hub; its historic barn frequently hosts delightful and unique theatre performances and other special cultural activities. Reviewers also note a positive shopping experience and universally commend the owners for their exceptional friendliness.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Stadstuin Zuilen

0.9 km — utrecht

Stadstuin Zuilen is a city garden located in Utrecht, in the northwestern part of the city. It is a place focused on greenery, food, and community, featuring vegetable gardens, a growing food forest, and a flower picking garden. The garden is designed as a space where visitors can discover nature up close, with opportunities to explore the ecosystem of plants, herbs, and edible flowers. Visitors can self-pick their own fresh vegetables from the self-harvest garden. This activity is available each Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The picking season runs from late April through the end of October. Produce is grown naturally without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. A small fee of €0.50 applies for the harvest. There is also a flower picking garden on site.

Tuincafé Zuilen

1.1 km — utrecht

Stadstuin Zuilen is a vibrant community garden in Utrecht Northwest, located at Daalseweg 150/150a. The garden focuses on green spaces, food production, and community involvement, featuring vegetable gardens, a growing food forest, and a flower-picking garden where visitors can experience nature up close. The garden is part of the Utrecht Natuurlijk network and offers a space for relaxation, learning, and active participation. Visitors can self-pick fresh vegetables from the picking garden on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, from late April through October. The produce is grown naturally without pesticides or artificial fertilizers. The flower-picking garden and food forest are also open for exploration, allowing guests to discover the biodiversity of edible plants, herbs, and flowers.

Stadstuin Klopvaart

2.9 km — utrecht

Stadstuin Klopvaart is a lively city garden located in the Utrecht Overvecht district. This green urban space offers a mix of vegetable gardens, a harvest garden, a flower-picking garden, and a permaculture garden. Visitors are welcome to wander, pick their own produce, and participate in gardening projects or workshops. The garden is a place to experience nature up close and enjoy biodiversity. This is a self-pick location. Available produce includes vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Visitors can also pick their own flowers from the flower garden. The specific season and months for picking vary depending on the crop, aligning with the natural growing season.

Stadsboerderij Gagelsteede

3.3 km — utrecht

Stadsboerderij Gagelsteede is a city farm and garden located in Park de Gagel in the Utrecht-Overvecht neighborhood. It serves as a green oasis where nature, animals, and the local community come together, offering a place for everyone to meet farm animals, play in a natural setting, and learn about the environment. The farm is part of the Utrecht Natuurlijk network and is open year-round. Visitors can get up close with a wide variety of farm animals, including pigs, cows, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The farm is also home to rare Dutch livestock breeds. While not a dedicated self-pick farm with designated fields, the farm operates a small shop and café where, when available, fresh seasonal produce from its own gardens and local city gardens is sold. This can include vegetables, eggs, and honey, depending on the harvest. The farm also has a natural playground for children, featuring a mud kitchen, climbing structures, and a water pump.