Herzapfelhof Lühs

At the Herzapfelhof Lühs, you can experience firsthand how fruit is grown and harvested in harmony with nature. Tradition and the highest organic standards come together here. Anyone who wants to can taste the fruit, lend a hand, and feel a genuine connection to nature.

The “Herzapfel” concept has made this traditional fruit farm famous. With great attention to detail and the use of stencils or modern laser technology, apples and other fruits such as oranges and nuts are decorated with personalized messages and logos. The farm store, open daily, offers a wide assortment to browse and shop: from fresh organic fruit to single-variety apple juices, crispy apple chips, sparkling apple secco, fruity jams, and many other Altland specialties.

But there’s even more to discover at the Herzapfelhof. In the Herzapfel Garden, over 250 different apple varieties grow in a lovingly arranged “heart-shaped” pattern. This vast variety can be admired year-round, from bud to bloom to fruit. Varieties like Finkenwerder Herbstprinz, Boskoop, and Holsteiner Cox are on everyone’s lips. But here you’ll also come across quite a few other whimsical variety names.

During the harvest season from June to October, you can pick organic fruit directly from the trees at the orchard. Apples, cherries, plums, and damsons offer a sweet temptation—and the variety of apples in the Herz-Apfel-Garten is also available for this purpose. As an apple tree sponsor, you can sponsor your own apple tree for a year, visit it, and harvest its fruit in the fall.

During expert-led tours—on foot or aboard the “Apfelexpress”—through the orchard, master fruit growers Hein Lühs and Rolf Lühs share fascinating facts about this traditional farm and the concept behind the “Herz-Apfel.” Topics such as technological advancements and the historical development of fruit growing, as well as the Alte Land region as a unique cultural landscape, are also covered. Refreshments are available in the Info Barn with coffee and Altländer butter cake as well as fruit cake, or during a picnic in the Herz-Apfel Garden.

Tips:

Orchard Walk: every Monday from April through October, 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Discover the diversity of species and varieties at the Herzapfelhof organic orchard and throughout the orchard grounds. During the 1.5- to 2-hour hike covering 1.5 to 3 km, master fruit grower Hein Lühs explains many of the unique aspects of fruit growing in a peaceful atmosphere away from traffic.

Friday Guided Tour: Every Friday from April through October, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM

Visit the Herzapfelhof on a Friday guided tour with a walk around the farm with Hein Lühs and learn interesting facts about the Alte Land region, fruit growing, and the Herzapfelhof.

Delicious Tastings: Every Sunday from April through October, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Join Hein Lühs on a delightful and informative tour featuring plenty of tastings of organic fruit and fruit products. Over the course of 90 minutes, you can sample Altländer specialties to your heart’s content while exploring the farm.