Neighborhood Gardens

There are 5 community and school gardens in Zoetermeer. This page provides more information about these gardens.

Nature in the neighborhood garden

In the various neighborhood gardens, efforts are being made to create a natural environment as much as possible. For example, the Noordhove, Zegwaartseweg and Rokkeveen neighborhood gardens have a nature-friendly pond. Wijktuin Rokkeveen also has a hedgehog garden, a critter garden and a low-maintenance bird garden. Several neighborhood gardens have fruit trees and small fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and berries. Jams and juices are made from fruit and sold on open evenings, for example.

All neighborhood gardens also have a herb garden with, for example, chives, parsley, celery and mint. You can pick herbs there, in consultation with the manager, free of charge.

Activities at the neighborhood gardens

At the neighborhood gardens, various activities are organized for young and old. Children can show their garden to their parents, family and friends. And during the summer vacations there are activities as part of SpeelmeerPaspoort, such as making flower arrangements and baking bread. Adults can get information on nature-friendly gardening, composting, herb gardens and fruit trees.

Volunteers

Volunteers are indispensable in the garden. They help with school garden classes, open evenings and days, activities for children and garden maintenance. New volunteers are always welcome. If you enjoy working outdoors, come check out one of the gardens. Experience and knowledge of gardening is nice but not necessary. Enthusiasm is much more important.

Renting a garden

Don't have your own garden? At a few neighborhood gardens you can rent a little garden from early April to mid-October and grow your own organic vegetables and flowers. There is also limited space for permanent gardens where you can garden year-round.

School Garden Program

Children in grade 5 follow a school garden program during a school year. They begin after summer vacation with 6 themed lessons on flowers, bees, herbs and soil animals and weather effects. Using vegetables and herbs from the garden, they will make their own soup and herb butter.

In April, they get a little garden, where they grow and harvest vegetables and flowers. They also establish a group garden for the new Group 5 after the summer vacation. In the garden we do not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Do you have any questions?

Please contact us using the contact form.

Addresses and opening hours

  • Wijktuin Noordhove, Da Sangalloruimte 10
  • Wijktuin Rokkeveen, Spectrumsingel 50
  • Neighborhood Garden Zegwaartseweg, Zegwaartseweg 25b
  • District Garden De Weidemolen, Burgemeester Middelberglaan 2
  • Neighborhood garden Het Buitenbeest, Belvedere Forest 270

Through the link below you will find an overview of the general opening hours. Please note; these vary by season. For complete information, please visit one of the neighborhood gardens.

Opening hours district and school gardens

Noordhove neighborhood garden

Address: Da Sangallo Room 10

Wijk- en schooltuin Noordhove may be the smallest of the 5 neighborhood gardens in Zoetermeer, but it is definitely worth a visit. Hidden between schoolyards, a flat and a parking lot, you will find a surprisingly green oasis.

In this cozy garden you can enjoy a herb garden, beautiful old fruit trees and a small selection of year-round rental gardens. In addition, Noordhove also offers school gardens where children playfully learn about nature and sustainability. The garden is also a meeting place thanks to the branch of Piëzo, where neighborhood activities and workshops are organized.

Stop by

Want to know more or get started in the garden yourself? Then contact us using the contact form.

Neighborhood garden Zegwaartseweg

Address: Zegwaartseweg 25b

Wijktuin Zegwaartseweg: a green oasis in the heart of Zoetermeer.

What can you do here?

  • School Gardens: Grade 5 students grow vegetables and flowers in their own little garden. With their hands in the soil, they learn about sustainability, healthy eating and taking pride in their own harvest. Think crisp lettuce or bright orange marigolds - all homegrown!
  • Rental Gardens: For local residents who do not have their own garden, the neighborhood garden offers the opportunity to rent a piece of green space. Whether you want a small summer garden or year-round gardening - here you can grow your own vegetables, fruits and flowers and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Picking and Herb Garden: Stroll through the colorful flower picking garden or discover the scents and flavors of the herb garden.
  • Local goodies: Buy delicious honey from the in-house beekeeper, fresh fruit or homemade jam.

Stop by

When the gate of the neighborhood garden is open, you are welcome to walk around and explore the garden. Just be sure to check in with the neighborhood garden manager or one of the volunteers.

Help

The neighborhood garden runs on an enthusiastic group of volunteers, and new faces are always welcome. Whether you have a green thumb or just enjoy being outdoors, there is always something to do. Your enthusiasm for working with others to make the garden flourish is most important!

Key dates in 2025:

  • March 15 - NL Doet: Join in and help us get the garden ready for the new season. You can sign up through the NL Doet website.
  • March 25 and 26: Rental Garden Rentals: Are you interested in a rental garden? Sign up with the neighborhood garden manager without obligation and receive more information about the application process.
  • April 1 and 2 - Start of school gardens: Would you like to help with the school gardens and guide children? Enthusiasm is more important than experience, so sign up and get involved!

Want to know more?

Do you have questions or need more information? Please feel free to get in touch via the contact form.