Discover, Pick, and Taste
From the vegetable garden to wild plants on your plate
Ever since she was a child, Willy Boogaard has loved being outdoors, with her hands in the soil and an eye for everything that grows and blooms. Her love of gardening and nature, combined with her experience as an elementary school teacher, forms the foundation of her work as a vegetable garden coach and guide for foraging walks and cooking workshops.
When Willy moved to the Aardehuiswijk neighborhood in Olst, everything fell into place. She took the initiative to establish the community garden and also became involved with the food forest run by the Eetbaar Olst-Wijhe Foundation. Since then, the area has grown into a beautiful green space full of wild plants, herbs, fruits, and surprising discoveries.
Willy loves to share that wealth of knowledge with others. As a vegetable garden coach, she helps schools set up and maintain school gardens and lets children discover how special life is both in and above the ground. Planting, tending, harvesting, and finally preparing something delicious together: learning by doing!
During her foraging walks, Willy takes you from her own garden, through the food forest, and to the neighborhood vegetable garden. You’ll learn to identify, smell, and taste plants, and discover what you can make with them. Once you’ve gotten a taste for it, you can get hands-on with the season’s green treasures during a cooking workshop.
Curious? Discover Willy's activities—from vegetable garden coaching to foraging walks and cooking workshops—on her website.