10x fruit picking gardens in the Netherlands

In the bushes of Fruittuin van West you will find berries, raspberries, cherries, plums and trees laden with fresh apples and sweet pears. Scavenge among the chickens and if you are lucky, score a brand new egg. Of course, you can do your shopping in the organic shop. Tip: keep an eye on the agenda on the website. They occasionally organise concerts, festivals and art exhibitions amidst the greenery. Sounds like a party, right?

The Buytenhof is not just a fruit-picking garden, it is an organic Valhalla! From May onwards, you can sink your teeth into juicy apples and bright red strawberries straight from the source. Besides fruit, you can also pick your herbs and flowers here. And when your basket is full, treat yourself to a farmer's high tea in the cosy tea room or pick up some local delicacies from the farm shop.

Even on the Wadden Islands, several fruit farmers have opened their picking gardens. Food forest Texel awaits you with an abundance of apples, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and tulips, all of which you may pick. Plus point: all leftover fruit and vegetables are transformed into colourful cakes, smoothies and ice creams that you taste on the terrace. And don't forget to take home some jam and syrup for later.

At Eekhoeve, everything revolves around farm life. Pick your own fruit and vegetables, make friends with the farm animals and feast on fresh tea and homemade cake in the teahouse. But what makes this place really special is that the family farm offers day care to those in need. Now that's love for the community!

Between June and October, the picking season at Van Reeuwijk in Abbenes is in full swing. Here you fill your basket with blueberries, raspberries, cherries, plums, blackberries and strawberries that you can pick yourself. Each type of fruit has its own season, so before you visit, it's smart to check the website to see what is ripe in the garden at that time.

From late May until November, you are welcome at Pluktuin de Bosrand in Wageningen. Here you can harvest your own fruit or pick a beautiful bouquet. Think raspberries, grapes, blackberries, plums, apples, pears and berries - all sustainably grown, of course. And if you need a breather, you can enjoy a refreshing drink while looking out over the garden. Tip: join a flower arranging or jam-making workshop that are regularly organised here!

On the edge of the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, you will find De Sprankenhof. In this picking garden, everything can be picked or gathered organically: from fresh vegetables and juicy apples to fresh eggs. There are also a few beehives in the garden, whose honey is sold in the shop. Tip: Want to learn more about all those delicious tastes of nature? Then sign up for a tasting or cooking workshop they organise here.

Discover the most delicious fruit of Gelderland at Ooijs Moois. From June onwards, the rows of raspberries, blackberries and berries are in full bloom. And if that's not enough, you can also buy the most colourful flowers for your home here. Want some advice or extra help while picking fruit? There are people working here who are distanced from the labour market and will gladly help you!

Honeyguide Susan previously visited Ooijs Moois and wrote a blog about it.

In 7th Heaven in Grashoek will open its doors in May this year. And good news for all those with dogs: even your faithful four-legged friend is welcome to browse around the orchard and picking garden. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants and grapes: the bushes here are full of goodies. After a day in the picking garden, you can stay overnight in one of the four cosy holiday homes.

With twelve hectares of sustainable apple, pear and plum orchards along the Green Corridor in Eindhoven, there is plenty to pick at Philips Fruittuin. During apple-picking days from the end of July, you can visit here. Finished picking? Then sit back and relax at Pancake House the Proeftuin overlooking the orchard. We recommend 'De Proeftuin' pancake with apples and pears from our own garden.