It takes place the First weekend of April.  Some call it the ‘get into the greenhouse’ event. Although it takes place in different areas of the Netherlands,  I love visiting the Holland greenhouses of the Westland. The Westland is not only a bike ride away from The Hague or Delft, it is also the cradle of the horticulture in the Netherlands. Here’s what the region has in store – or better, in the greenhouse- for you.

 

In Dutch the event is called Kom in de kas 2019. In English I would call it Holland greenhouse festival. It’s more than a visit to a Dutch greenhouse, it’s a celebration which is great fun for all ages. The different bands playing enroute of this Holland greenhouse festival get you into the festive mood, you can taste paprika smoothies or radishes with chocolate or just relax in the sun with a cup of coffee & cake, children can participate in all kind of fun activities and of course you can buy your favourite flowers, fruit & vegetables at a stand located at the end of the Holland greenhouse festival.

Greenhouses in the Netherlands open their doors for visitors only one time per year. The reason is that  young, growing plants are vulnerable and easily infected by diseases, which is why hygiene in the greenhouses is extremely important and visitors are often not allowed inside or can only visit when they follow strict hygiene rules.

So, it’s quite a unique opportunity to visit a greenhouse and see how fruit, vegetable & flowers are grown. A colleague once called Westland the all year round Keukenhof and it’s true. You’ll be amazed by all the different types of flowers grown in the Westland, also known as Glass City.  You can see all the fantastic greenhouse innovations and developments, ask the growers all your questions about the plants that are being grown and many greenhouses put (Dutch) signs which explain all about the horticulture.

The Kom in de Kas ( get into the greenhouse) event takes place on Saturday 6 April from 10 AM – 5 PM  & Sunday 7 April 2019 from 10 AM – 4 PM.  In Westland the focus is at Maasland where 10 greenhouses open their doors. There are lovely cycle routes from The Hague & Delft to the centre of horticulture and visitors are advised to come by bike. Really don’t feel like cycling? There are free busses at the flowerauction Royal FloraHolland bringing you to the walking zone. More info (in Dutch) on komindekaswestland.nl

 

Can’t make it on Saturday 6 April or Sunday 7 April 2019? Questions or suggestions?  Send an e-mail to veritasvisit(@)gmail.com for more information on Verita’s Visit’s (bike) tours & events to the Holland greenhouses.