There's been a taste of summer in the air for a few weeks, and now we're ready to celebrate the season by picking some juicy, sweet, sun-ripened berries straight from the vine, right? As of early June, many strawberry farms are opening for U-pick, and raspberries are next in line.
Key tips:
- Most important: Check farms' websites and Facebook pages or call ahead on the day you want to go to make sure U-pick is happening and to confirm times.
- Doublecheck the farm's website for address and directions, as some of map apps don't work as well for more rural locations.
- Arrive early; fields can get picked out by noon. An alternative is, if a farm has plenty of U-pick available, to show up in the late afternoon to avoid crowds and direct sun.
- Keep in mind that fields typically have little shade, so bring hats, sunscreen, water, snacks, and — for littler kids — some alternative toys, such as bubbles.
- Wear closed-toe shoes.
- Bring cash or make sure that the farm accepts credit (the bigger farms usually do).
- Strawberries, because they grow close to the ground, are most physically demanding to pick. Raspberries and blueberries are easier pickin' (at least for grown-ups).
- Especially with small kids in tow, keep your picking expectations low. And remember: You can usually buy pre-picked berries at a farm as well, often for only a bit more than U-pick prices.
- Boxes or pails are usually provided, or bring your own.
- Typically, farms don't mind if kids eat as they pick (or as they run around) but doublecheck. You could also offer to weigh your child before and after picking. :)
Bolles Organic Berry Farm, Monroe
Founded in 1997, Bolles Farm is one of the few Washington State certified organic berry farms around, offering a variety of raspberries, strawberries and blueberries (as well as honey). It's a small farm, so be sure to check ahead to make sure U-pick is happening and they have berries left. Combine it with a trip to the Reptile Zoo, just up the road. 17930 Tualco Loop Road, Monroe, 425-876-9878
Get pickin’: Bolles' strawberries are available for picking as of early June. Check the Facebook page for daily updates on the status and the hazelnut harvest (expected September). Bolles Farm accepts cash, checks and debit/credit cards.
Want more family fun?
Join ParentMap eNews for a weekly round-up of the hottest adventures around the Sound!
Willie Green's Organic Farm, Snohomish
A 65-acre family-owned organic farm near Monroe, Willie Green's sells all kinds of veggies and berries at farmers markets throughout the Seattle area. Stop by to pick raspberries and blueberries. 19501 Tualco Road, Monroe, 360-453-7030.
Get pickin': U-pick is currently open for strawberry season. Check the Facebook page for daily status and the latest updates.
Biringer Farm, Arlington
Operating since 1938, large Biringer Farm is a family favorite, with a small playground (including a climb-on tractor) that kids will love to play on before and after picking. They'll also love riding the Jolly Trolley” out to the berry fields, where you can pick to your heart’s content. After picking, picnic near the historic barn, or shop the market for Slicers (containers of fresh sliced and sugared strawberries that come ready to eat and freeze) and local honey. 21412 59th Ave. N.E., Arlington, 425-259-0255
Get pickin’: Biringer has strawberries for U-pick and pre-picked also for sale. They accept cash and credit cards. Typically they are open daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m. but check the website or Facebook page or call the berry line at 425-259-0255 before you go. (Note: Make sure you plug the address into your map app, as the iPhone map app comes up with a different address for Biringer.)
Remlinger Farms, Carnation
If you'd like your berry-picking with a side of amusement park, Remlinger is the place for you, with a family fun park just right for the short set (pint-size carnival rides, a petting farm and ponies, small steam train and more). As for U-pick, admission is free, and containers are provided. The farm uses natural fertilizers. Crowds can get crazy in the summer — make it a morning or evening trip or go during the weekend. 32610 N.E. 32nd St., Carnation, 425-333-4135
Get pickin’: U-pick for strawberries opening any day now! Call 425-333-4135, ext. 250 or check this page on the website or Facebook page for updates. Cash only. No admission price for picking fields. The full family fun park is open on weekends; and the toddler version (limited rides) is open on weekdays. The full amusement park opens daily through the summer.
Harvold Berry Farms, Carnation
This smaller farm in Carnation, a reader favorite, has U-pick strawberries and raspberries for affordable prices. Containers are provided. Call before arrival to be sure the fields are open, and word is to bring cash. No pets in field. 32325 N.E. 55th St.,Carnation, 425-333-4185
Get pickin’: Strawberry U-pick begins June 7. Season lasts for about 3 weeks but be sure to check the Facebook page or call 425-333-4185 for updates.
Schuh Farms, Mount Vernon
Second-generation farmers Steve and Susan Schuh have been selling U-pick berries for three decades. They grow strawberries, raspberries and tayberries (a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry) as well as cherries. The 500-acre farm includes a 100-year-old home, barn and henhouse. Their fresh produce is available at local farmers' markets around the Seattle area, and the little retail shop offers tasty treats like raspberry honey and tayberry jam. There are also animals to see. 15565 State Rte. 536, Mount Vernon, 360-424-6982
Get pickin’: Strawberries and cherries currently available. Be sure to check the farm's Facebook page or call for updates. They accept Visa and Mastercard as well as cash.
Bailey Family Farm, Snohomish
This family farm has been offering U-pick produce since 1986! The fifth generation of the Bailey family currently farms 400 acres, 40 of which are devoted to U-pick.
12711 Springhetti Rd., Snohomish, 360-568-8826
Get pickin’: Strawberry U-pick is currently open. Be sure to the check the website or Facebook page for status before heading out.
South Sound U-Pick
Picha's Berry Farm, Puyallup
Third-generation farmers Dan and Russ Picha continue their family tradition of growing and harvesting some of the juiciest, sweetest berries around. They run a farm in Tacoma and one in Puyallup, featuring summertime strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Strawberries are the only U-Pick berries, available June–early July. Containers available. 6502 52nd St. E., Puyallup, 253-841-4443
Get pickin’: According to the Facebook page, the stawberries are in need of little more ripening as of early June. Check for updates or call to see when they'll be open for U-pick. Cash and checks only at Tacoma; Puyallup accepts cash, check, credit and debit.
Duris Farm, Kent
Duris Cucumber Farm sells produce and berries at two locations, Puyallup and Kent with U-Pick now offered at both locations. They also sell green beans, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash and dill. Directions to Kent location: Take Willis St. exit off 167. Go to the corner of Washington Ave. and Frager Road and follow the signs to the field. 6012 44th St. E., Puyallup, 253-922-7635
Get pickin': Strawberry U-Pick currently open. Before you go, be sure to check the Facebook page or call 253-922-7635 for status of U-Pick.
Blueberry farms
Mountainview Blueberry Farm, Snohomish
Keith and Janet Stocker's Mountainview Farm is nestled against a hillside in the Snohomish River Valley, and on clear days one can see all the way to Mt. Baker. Dating back to the 1940s, the blueberry farm grows 20 varieties of blueberries. Blueberry preserves and syrups are available as well. 7617 E. Lowell Larimer Road, Snohomish, 360-668-3391
Get pickin’: Blueberry U-pick is open Tuesday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. with several varieties available. Be sure to check the website or Facebook page for updates before heading out; you'll also find lots of blueberry recipes. Buckets provided. They prefer cash but will take cards.
Carpenter Creek Farm, Mount Vernon
Owned by a family who lives in northeast Seattle, Carpenter Creek is a small blueberry farm located just south of Mount Vernon. Stop for ready-picked blueberries as well as U-Pick. Though the farm is not certified organic, it does not use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers on our farm. Bonus: Keep your eyes peeled for red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, bald eagles, tree frogs, and other animals. 20177 E. Stackpole Road, Mt Vernon, 360-941-9927
Get pickin': Blueberry U-pick is open this weekend, Friday–Monday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Be sure to confirm on the farm's website or Facebook page for picking availability. Cash or check only. Bring your own containers.
Canter-Berry Farms, Auburn
Canter-Berry Farms grows eight different varieties of blueberries, boasting flavors from sweet to tart to (a little) spicy. Though not Certified Organic, the farm does not use sprays and limits chemical use. Buckets are provided to pick with, but bring your own to carry the berries home in. One fun fact: Canter-Berry Farms also raises, trains and shows American Saddlebred horses. 19102 S.E. Green Valley Road, Auburn, 253-939-2706
Get pickin’: U-pick is open. Call, or check the website or Facebook page before heading out to confirm the farm is open when you want to pick.
Blue Dog Organic Blueberry Farm, Carnation
A small, family-owned farm that is certified organic and has a unique U-Pick model, Blue Dog grows big, sweet, certified-organic blueberries. Blue Dog now primarily offers U-Pick on a membership basis. Members pay $25 (if paid before July 1 otherwise the fee is $30) for a season and get access to U-Pick starting around mid-late July, which means they'll have a less-crowded picking experience. This working farm also has cows, chickens and a little stream to dip toes in. 7125 W Snoqualmie Valley Road, Carnation, 425-844-2842
Get pickin’: U-pick is open. Call ahead or check the webiste in advance; picking hours are typically 9 a.m.–noon and be sure to investigate required membership to see if this makes sense for you.
Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
Located in the lovely Lake Hills Greenbelt area, Larsen Lake is operated by the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department in order to preserve Bellevue’s agricultural heritage. After filling your pails, stroll the trail near the lake or do some fishing. Or if it's hot, head up to the shaded produce stand, where you can shop for reasonably priced peaches, nectarines, yellow tomatoes, and of course blueberries. Or just put your feet up on the porch swing. Bring valid Washington State ID as a deposit for picking bucket. 700 148th Avenue SE., Bellevue, 425-260-2266
Get pickin’: Blueberry U-pick is open. Check website or call ahead for status. Bring checks or cash. Larsen Lake minimizes chemical and pesticide use.
Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
Editor's note: this U-pick is currently closed! Just off I-90 in Bellevue, this historic blueberry farm is, unfortunately, closed during Sound Transit's Link Light Rail construction but never fear! The berries are harvested and sold at the Larsen Lake produce stand.
Henna Blueberry Farm, Fall City
Located in the Snoqualmie River Valley and surrounded by a nature slough, Henna Blueberry Farm grows 10 varieties of exceptionally sweet berries over five acres (they don’t use synthetic pesticides or chemicals). Frogs, turtles, beavers, cranes and others make their home in the slough, so pack a picnic and go “critter-viewing.” The farm uses natural growing practices.1800 Fall City Carnation Road, Fall City, 425-806-2751 or 206-605-4601
Get pickin’: Blueberry U-pick is available at the Fall City farm generally Thursdays and Saturdays. Check this website page for schedule and prices. Check for updates on their Facebook page.
Bryant Blueberry Farm, Arlington
This farm couldn't be more kid-friendly. It has a playground, picnic tables and shady spots to sit and rest, eat, farm animals, and uses sound environmental and sustainable agricultural methods. Besides blueberries, Bryant offers currants, tayberries and raspberries, as well as blackberries, loganberries, and boysenberries, and many berry products. 5628 Grandview Road, Arlington. 360-474-8424
Get pickin': Blueberry U-pick is open. Check the Facebook page or website for more information on hours.
More resources
Bybee Farms, North Bend
Head towards Mount Si and you'll eventually find this lovely farm, which sits at the foot of the mountain and grows six varieties of U-Pick blueberries, as well as some raspberries and fresh-picked vegetables. "Beautiful scenery and super yummy berries!" says a reader. 42930 S.E. 92nd St., North Bend
Get pickin': Blueberry U-pick is open seven days a week. Even so, confirm on the Facebook page or by calling 425-888-0821 or 425-888-5745 for the latest info. Normal hours are 9 a.m–8 p.m., most days. $2.25/lb.; cash or check.
Linbo's Blueberry Farm, Puyallup
Linbo's grows 20(!) varieties of blueberries, all of which are grown pesticide-free on the farm. While you're picking, you can enjoy — a reader reports — classical music played on speakers in the fields.
1201 S. Fruitland, Puyallup
Get pickin': Blueberry U-pick is open. Call ahead for open times on the day you want go. $2.50/lb. Linbo's is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on the weekends, but check the web page or Facebook page for updates and additional open times.
Charlotte's Blueberry Park, Tacoma (formerly Blueberry Park)
Free blueberry picking in a city park? Who's in? Volunteers maintain the more than 3,000 blueberry bushes in this park, which has been farmed since 1929. Metro Parks does not use any pesticides or fertilizers on the blueberry plants. Volunteer work days are held the third Saturday of the month, March through September, 9 a.m.–noon.
Get pickin': Picking season is July to September, dependent on weather. You can pick five varieties of blueberries. 7402 E. D. St., Tacoma
Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Chimacum
A certified organic family farm and artisan cidery, Finn River is situated along a restored salmon stream in the Chimacum Valley on the Olympic Peninsula (just south of Port Townsend). Finnriver is not a typical U-Pick farm, but runs a “Berry Collective,” which means U-pickers pay a fee to pick, plus the $3/lb. for the berries. If you go, be sure to check out Finnriver’s amazing hand-crafted hard ciders and spirited fruit wines. 62 Barn Swallow Rd., Chimacum, 360-732-4337
Editor's note: This article is updated every year, most recently in 2018.
Leave a Comment