Weekly Flower update 2018 – week 15
Good morning, welcome to our weekly flower update. We have tulips in bloom inthe flower fields, finally! Great news for everyone who is traveling in the upcoming weeks. The weather was very cold in the last weeks but finally we had some warm sunshine last weekend. And more nice weather to come! Please read on …
Current status of the flowers
The forecast for the upcoming week predicts typical spring weather with sun, clouds and some rain for the next couple of days and temperatures around the 16 degrees C. (61 F.) during the day. Perfect weather for a bike ride along the fields!
Keukenhof
When the sun starts to shine at Keukenhof you immediately see more flowers in bloom around the garden. The crocus and daffodils but also some early tulips are in bloom. Around the bulb statue you can see some early tulips in bloom as well. The indoor flower show in the Willem Alexander shows hundreds of different tulips in bloom and the flower shows in the other pavilions are a must see. For the next two weeks we will see an increase in blooming of hyacinths and tulips in the Keukenhof but I don’t expect peak blooming in the upcoming two weeks yet.
Flower fields
In the flower fields you can see the lovely yellow color of the daffodils around the flower area. Behind the windmill of Keukenhof you can see the vivid red color of the first tulip field in bloom. (Have a look at the video here) When you walk behind the tea greenhouse at Keukenhof you will have a lovely view of this field. In the next two weeks we will see more hyacinths and tulips in the fields in bloom. Just like the flowers at Keukenhof I don’t expect peak blooming in the upcoming two weeks in the fields yet.
Do not enter the fields
Keep in mind that, how gorgeous those fields are, it is not allowed to enter a flower field. The fields are private property and you can cause a lot of damage in the fields by walking into the fields. You can spread bacteria from your shoes or damage the bulbs by standing on it. For all people who want to experience to walk in a flower field please visit one of the tulip picking farms where you are allowed and encouraged to walk into the field and pick a beautiful tulip bouquet to take home.
Upcoming weekend
Due to the beautiful weather that is expected, I expect that Keukenhof will have a busy weekend. Make sure you have your Skip the line ticket of Keukenhof in advance when traveling by car or your Keukenhof ticket with Public Transportation. You don’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket and have your ticket on your mobile phone (or print it at home just what you prefer). Between 11 AM and 3 PM a lot of people travel to the Keukenhof. The best time to beat the crowds is early in the morning or later in the afternoon. See How to travel to Keukenhof here.
Best time to visit
For all people who want to know when is the best time to visit see When are the tulips in bloom in 2018?
For all people who are emailing me about the blooming on date x – Keep in mind that the blooming of the tulips is influenced by nature, warm weather can cause the flowers to bloom faster and cold weather will slow down the blooming. Therefore it is hard to predict how the blooming looks like in a couple of weeks. We have a late spring this year and we have to experience how this will affect the flowers.
Helicopter tours (NO polder)
Did you know that our helicopter tours in the Noordoostpolder are flown by a helicopter pilot who grew up on a tulip farm? He can provide you a lot of information about everything you see from up in the air. Due to the late spring time the helicopter tours start from the 20th of April so you will see some color in the flower fields when you fly over it. The NO Polder is one of the areas in the Netherlands with the largest flower fields. They have created a lovely tulip route of 80 km long and they even have a tulip experience center where you can see, smell and photograph many different tulips.
Have a look at our day tour and the flight only program. Be aware when you book a flight only program you will need a (rental) car to reach the helicopter platform.
Guided bike tours – Keukenhof
One of my favorite things to do every springtime is to ride my bike along the flower fields. When I was a child my grandfather used to work at Keukenhof (collecting tickets) and I have very fond memories of riding our bikes together along the tulip fields in the area. For 2018 on my wish list of Tulips in Holland was a guided bike tour for the readers of the website and newsletter, to have the same experience of a beautiful bike ride with the lovely scent of flowers. And yesterday we did!
From today until the 4th of May 2018 you can book a guided bike tour from Keukenhof along the flower fields. In 1,5 – 2 hours you will bike around the flower fields by an English speaking guide with lovely stories about the flowers and area. A ticket to Keukenhof will be included, you can visit the garden before or after your bike tour. Bike, flower fields and Keukenhof will be the ultimate Dutch Experience of your holiday. We have only one tour a day – don’t miss it!
Upcoming events
Besides visiting Keukenhof there is so much to do in the direct surroundings of Amsterdam and Keukenhof. Have a look:
FAQ
Wishing you a bright and beautiful week! See you at the next flower update!
Kind regards from Tulips in Holland,
Nienke
Source: Tulips in Holland
Photo credits: Tulips in Holland
I’m visiting May 25-26. Do you think since the tulips were late to bloom the gardens will still be open that weekend?
Hi Megan, Unfortunately Keukenhof will be closed at 13th of May in the afternoon. At the end of May all spring flowers are gone. Sorry to tell you. Best time to visit is last 2 weeks of April and first week of May.
When is the next update please?
The newsletter with the blooming update is sent every Tuesday morning (Dutch time) It will be placed later on the website. If you want to see the weekly update please sign up for the free newsletter.