Apple Picking during the Apple Picking Days in Groningen

I still remember what I thought when I visited a friend for coffee: what a mess. The garden looked like a jungle. I remembered when it was first laid out with neat wooden boxes in squares, and now I could hardly walk through it. And that, while I don’t know much about gardening myself, so I really shouldn’t have an 'opinion' about someone else’s garden.

After all, I only have our urban rooftop terrace and a few potted plants to take care of at home.

Apple Picking in Groningen

Two weeks ago, we went to have dinner at those same friends, and then I saw it. Wow! The jungle had transformed into a fruit paradise. Apples, pears, raspberries in all colors and sizes, edible flowers, beans, walnut trees. There was even a little hedgehog living in the garden.

I picked an Elstar apple from the tree and took a bite. What an amazing experience! In short, I was hooked. Although I don’t have space for a full picking garden on my rooftop terrace, I would love to go picking somewhere!

Fruit Picking in Groningen

Have you, like me, gotten the taste for fruit picking? Then we recommend a few picking gardens in and around the city of Groningen.

The Best Picking Gardens in Groningen

Late summer is the perfect time to pick fruit in the various picking gardens in and around Groningen. My first experience with a picking garden was during a staff outing to the Tuinen van Weldadigheid. We picked all kinds of forgotten vegetables, and they passionately explained all the challenges of maintaining a vegetable garden. Highly recommended! Soon you can even pick pumpkins there. The pumpkin picking days in Oostwold are also great fun!

Apple Picking Days in Groningen

There are several places you can visit during the upcoming Apple Picking Days:

• On Saturday, September 13, 2025, you can go to the Apple Picking Day at Landwinkel Oldiek in Nieuwolda. It starts at 9:30 AM and lasts until 5:00 PM. You can pick Elstar apples, Goudreinetten, and pears like Conference or Gieser Wildeman. Enjoy a piece of homemade apple pie and let the kids play on the bouncy castle. More info: Landwinkel Oldiek.
• You can pick your own apples at the Picking Garden of Oudebosch in Niehoeve at Oudebosch Fruitteeltbedrijf. Open Monday to Saturday. #oudebosch_fruitteeltbedrijf
• The Fruit Orchard of the Bosschaart Family is open in Noordbroek. Picking days are Saturday, September 27 and October 4.
• At Luingahof in Bierum, a fruit-picking day is held once a year. Come on September 20 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to pick apples, pears, plums, and berries.
• On Sunday, September 21, you can pick apples and pears at the Park van Pomona. In addition to the mobile fruit press, there is a lively market with stalls from vendors offering food, drinks, gardening, and cooking. There’s also a competition "Heel Blauwestad Bakt," looking for the baker of the best apple pie made with local apples. More info: Park van Pomona

Picking Forest in Groningen

Did you know you can pick fruit and nuts in the Picking Forest Kardinge? It’s maintained by volunteers and you’ll find apples, pears, nuts, and blackberries.

So go out into the city and countryside to pick apples during the Apple Picking Days or visit these picking gardens for inspiration! You certainly won’t go home empty-handed, even outside the main picking season!

Flower Picking Gardens in Groningen

• Visit the Hofje van Harkstede for beautiful bouquets and wildflowers. Check their Instagram.
• Pick tulips at the Picking Garden Groningen in Grijpskerk, check their Instagram.

PLUKN and Garden in the City in Groningen

In the Westpark, you can not only pick fruit at PLUKN, but also buy charcuterie from their own farm pigs. Also visit the Garden in the City for fun activities such as building a worm hotel.

 

Fruit Pressing Days 2025

Do you have a lot of fruit and want to have it pressed? You can bring your fruit to different companies to have it pressed. You must register in advance. For more information, visit: Mobile Fruit Press Golden Raand.

The World of Apple Picking in Groningen

We’ve given you a glimpse into the world of apple picking in Groningen. Go out into the city and countryside to pick apples during the picking days or visit these gardens for inspiration! We are sure you won’t go home empty-handed, as many farm shops offer fresh products year-round. In addition, many businesses also have a webshop.