Zelfoogsttuin Proeftuin van Linschoten

De Proeftuin van Linschoten is a community-supported (CSA) self-harvest garden in the old pear orchard of the Linschoten estate, where three growers trained in biodynamic farming, more than 150 members and about 30 volunteers grow over 50 kinds of vegetables, herbs and flowers.

The vegetables are grown without pesticides or artificial fertiliser. The soil is fed with compost and dead plant material, is never ploughed and is kept covered with mulch or green manure, and pests are left to birds, parasitic wasps, ladybirds, toads and hedgehogs, encouraged with flowers, shrubs and piles of branches.

Members buy a share for the season of about 30 weeks, from May to November, and choose one of three solidarity prices. Each week they get an email saying what is ready and come to harvest at least six kinds of vegetables themselves, at a time that suits them between sunrise and sunset; for an extra fee the growers will harvest a bag and leave it in the garden's cool room for collection on Friday to Sunday. A four-week trial share is available, and a flower-picking subscription of about 20 weeks runs alongside. From May to November an honesty shop on the garden, open 9:00 to 17:00, sells pick-your-own vegetables and flowers by weight alongside organic regional products from other producers.

Members share the harvest in good and bad years alike, so a run of pests or poor weather means smaller weekly shares.