Heemtuin De Heimanshof: the most beautiful wild plant garden in Hoofddorp

Origin Heemtuin Heimanshof

Until 1975, the municipal city nursery was on the site of De Heimanshof. When it stopped, a number of schoolmasters asked if they could set up the site for nature education for primary school children in Haarlemmermeer. Ton Engelman was the first manager and founder of the botanical garden as it looks today. Then Henk Nijenhuis and Franke van der Laan took over. The current caretaker is Jan van Steijn, who manages the garden together with about 50 volunteers. Every year, between 4.000 and 5.000 primary school pupils attend a nature lesson in the heemtuin.

Landscapes in the botanical garden Hoofddorp

In the heemtuin, different types of nature have been recreated, so that you are taken into the different nature areas of the Netherlands. Think, for example, of the peat lake with marsh, a ridge, flowery grasslands and fields. In these places you will find the various flowers and plants. Do you want to know which plants are rare? There is a nice list of all the plants in the garden. These are more than 700! Most of them can no longer be found 'in the wild' in our country.

Stroll garden for children

The strolling garden is the nicest nature playground in Haarlemmermeer. Crawl through the tree path to the tree house. Every year, no fewer than 5.000 children visit Heemtuin Heimanshof. Here children learn about nature, sustainability and the importance of insects in a fun way. A trip with school is therefore ideal at Heemtuin Heimanshof. There is also weekly gardening, a Wednesday afternoon club and fun activities are organized. There is a festival during the summer holidays!

Activities in the Heimanshof

Do you want to learn how to prune a fruit tree? Or want to know more about mushrooms? There are regular workshops and lectures in the Heimanshof. there are also seasonal theme days, such as the spring flowering day, the Summer Festival and the Fête de la Nature in September; a feast for everyone who loves nature. Keep an eye on the agenda!

Join!

The Heimanshof is run by volunteers under the direction of the manager. Without volunteers, the botanical garden cannot be maintained. Do you want to help? Feel free to take a look. Experience is not necessary; enthusiasm for nature. You can also become a member of De Heimanshof and help maintain this unique place. Membership costs €10, but more is always allowed.