The Field Guideby Moss & MarrowOosterom Kersen
- Organic methods: no synthetic pesticides or fertiliser, not certified
Oosterom Kersen is a cherry grower on the Breudijk outside Harmelen with nine hectares of orchards, which sells its cherries from its own farm shop, De Ooievaar, and from market stalls in the region.
The orchard at the shop was planted in 1991 and was the first low-stem cherry orchard in the Netherlands, and a few years later the trees were put under covers so rain can't split the fruit as it ripens. Water and fertiliser are given straight at the roots (fertigation), which keeps fresh-water use down. Besides cherries the farm sells strawberries and its own honey, and the shop stocks other regional products.
De Ooievaar is open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with a bar and terrace, and its vending machine is open every day from 8:00 to 21:00. From April to September the farm has a cherry and strawberry stall at the Saturday Streekmarkt in Woerden, where it has stood since the market began in 2003. In June, July and August a sales van stands on the Braadkamp in Eemnes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at the Vathorst shopping centre in Amersfoort on Fridays and at the Bijvanck shopping centre in Blaricum on Saturdays.
The covers over the trees mean the cherries can stay on the branch until they are fully grown.