Pick-your-own orchards in and around Amsterdam
From endives to tulips, pear trees and blackberry bushes, it’s always more satisfying when you’ve picked your own. There are plenty of picking gardens in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas where you can spend a day harvesting some beautiful produce. We've tracked down the ten best places around Amsterdam for getting out there and picking your own.
Fruittuin van West
To visit the Fruittuin van West (‘Fruit Garden of West’) you need to head West from Amsterdam, almost to Halfweg. As well as the farm, the greenhouses and barns, there's a huge fruit garden here, full of apple, cherry and pear trees, raspberry and blackberry bushes, and various other sorts of berry bushes. But that's not all – you'll also find nectarines, strawberries, cranberries and grapes. The fruit is weighed and paid for after picking; a kilo of small fruit costs €10. You can also harvest veggies here in the winter, in the endive 'cave' or the shiitake greenhouses.
When? The Fruittuin van West is open six days a week from 10:30am to 6pm (closed Mondays). It's a good idea to check the website in advance to see which fruit is being harvested.
Fruittuin van West | Tom Schreursweg 48, Amsterdam
Stadsboerderij Osdorp
Stadsboerderij Osdorp (‘Osdorp Urban Farm’) is located in amongst the big blocks of flats. Thanks to the big vegetable garden and the chickens roaming free, it feels like you're out in the country rather than in the middle of the city. A sign lets you know which types of herbs and vegetables are ready to pick that day. A range of workshops and activities are organised here for both children and adults.
When? Open from 1:30pm to 5pm November to March; 10am to 5pm from April to October.
Stadsboerderij Osdorp | Botteskerksingel 30B, Amsterdam
Moestuinvereniging Proefeiland
The Proefeiland Kitchen Garden Associationhas a public picking garden located on the edge of Steigereiland North in IJburg; a place where locals and visitors can pick their own fruit, herbs and flowers.
When? Every last Sunday of the month.
Moestuinvereniging Proefeiland | Barkentijnkade, IJburg
Annemieke's Pluktuin
At this floral picking garden you can gather some beautiful blooms to make your own bouquet for your sweetheart, mother, teacher or neighbour. Annemieke's Picking Garden has 3,000 square metres of tulips, which are yours to take home for 25 euro cents per flower.
When? In April, May and June (as long as there are tulips) from Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm.
Annemieke’s Pluktuin | Haarlemmerstraat 15, Hillegom
De Olmenhorst
The Olmenhorst Estate, with almost eighteen hectares of organic apple and pear trees, is located between Amsterdam and The Hague. Each year during the harvest season, the Olmenhorst opens its orchards for people to come and pick their own fruit. Take a box along, because for just €2.50 per kilo you can take all the organic fruit you can carry.
When? The exact date hasn't been confirmed yet, but it's expected that the orchards will be open to apple and pear pickers from 15 September.
De Olmenhorst | Lisserweg 481, Lisserbroek
Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers
Starting in mid-June, you can arm yourself with a big basket and head for the picking garden for blackberries, strawberries and other berries, cherries and various types of vegetables. For people with less mobility, Van Reeuwijk has a strawberry greenhouse directly along the path (which has a hard and flat ground) and strawberry boxes at standing height.
When? The picking garden is open from mid-June to mid-October. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for additional info on what's ready to pick and when.
Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers | Hoofdweg 1475, Abbenes
