Educatieve Tuin Gerard Stout

Gerard Stout Educational Garden

Address: Kievitstraat 42, 3443 BG Woerden

Description

The Gerard Stout Educational Garden surrounds the InBredius nature and environmental education centre, housed in the former sheep barn of the Bredius estate. Native flowers, herbs, heritage crops and small landscape features turn the garden into a living classroom close to central Woerden.

History

The educational garden was created in 1983. During the 25th anniversary of IVN Woerden in 2006, it was named after founder Gerard Stout. Volunteers maintain the different garden sections and their educational features.

Nature & design

The first section represents an old natural levee beside the Oude Rijn, with a pond and hay meadow. Conditions change from wet to dry and from nutrient-rich to nutrient-poor. The second section has a central herb circle, culinary and medicinal herbs, a butterfly area and plots with grain, spring-flowering plants and heritage crops. There is also an insect wall, hedgehog shelter and an edible fruit wall.

Visitor information

The InBredius centre opens every Sunday from 1.30 to 4.30 pm. Admission is free, and voluntary contributions are welcome. Exhibitions and activities about nature, the environment and the landscape are regularly organised during opening hours.

Fun fact

The insect wall provides nesting and shelter for solitary bees and lacewings, while a dedicated space for hedgehogs was built into its base.