I have always harbored a passion for horticulture. Seeing fresh blooms, tending to my houseplants, planting annuals, or visiting botanical gardens fills me with joy and contentment. To kickstart the spring season every year, I eagerly attend the Philly Flower Show in March, immersing myself in the vibrant colors and stunning displays. Last weekend, the first weekend in April, I expanded my floral delights with a first-time visit to Holland Ridge Tulip Farm in New Jersey.
The 300-acre tulip farm didn’t disappoint, and it was a great day to tip-toe through the tulips. Perfection weatherwise, explore the over 70 different varieties of U-pick tulips. And only $1.00 per stem during the weekend. 50¢ during the week.
The Jansen family, Great Opa Casey, was a bulb grower and seller in Holland many years ago. In 2018, the Dutch family established their passion for tulips with the Holland Ridge Farm in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.
Holland Ridge Farm is a reasonable alternative to the famous Keukenhof in Amsterdam. It is two hours from Central Pennsylvania to the Hamilton Train New Jersey Train station. The farm even offers a $5.00 shuttle bus from the train station to the farm.
There is a clever way to get tickets for this spring spectacular event. Sign up to receive text notifications with opening season dates. Then, you will receive a password to enter the Holland Ridge Farm website and order tickets when you want to attend.
Tickets are $15.00 for weekdays and $17.00 for weekends.
Holland Ridge Farm is the place to go if you love tulips and want to see every rainbow color. It’s also a day for family fun. Over the next four weeks, there are plenty of food truck choices and picnic tables where you can enjoy your meal. Tickets are non-refundable, so check the forecast beforehand.
Tulips have an exciting history dating back to the Ottoman Empire, where they were grown for beauty and elegance. Check out the tulips I picked above. I selected tight, unopened buds so that the bloom lasts longer.
During the 16th century, tulips were highly prized by royalty and the wealthy, symbolizing wealth and prestige throughout Europe.
Like roses, the tulip colors symbolize different meanings:
Red: Love and Passion
Yellow: happiness and joy
White: Purity and Innocence
Purple: Royalty and Nobility
Pink: Happiness and Joy
Orange: Energy and Enthusiasm
Black: Exotic and are rare
If you go to Holland Ridge Farm, wear comfortable shoes or sneakers; there’s plenty of dirt and mud. And bring disposable gloves to keep your hands clean when pulling out the tulips from the ground.
How about the celestial moments of the solar eclipse on Monday? Here’s me at the Solar Eclipse viewing party at Whitaker Center Science for Science and Arts.
Thank you for stopping by, wishing you a wonderful and relaxing week! Until next time.
