Bring your little helpers to visit one of these Puget Sound area blueberry u-pick farms. Blueberries are an ideal u-pick crop for kids — you get to stand upright and there are no thorns! Not to mention they’re a “superfood” that both kids and adults will eagerly gobble up.
You can usually pick ripe blueberries from mid-July to early September, however, the season varies with climate conditions, and some farms open in late June. Remember to always call first or check the farm website or Facebook to make sure the farm is open and there are berries for picking.
Here’s your all-you-need-to-know guide to the blueberry season: u-pick farms, how to spot ripe berries, and scrumptious recipes just in case you do not eat everything you pick immediately!
U-Pick Farm Tips
- Some blueberry u-pick farms are cash or check only. Likewise, an increasing number of all types of businesses have gone cash-free.
- Some farms are certified organic, some follow organic practices without being certified, and others take a conventional approach. If you want to know what a farm’s growing practices are, just ask.
- Most farms do not allow dogs: if a farm does allow dogs they are not allowed in the berry-picking area.
- You’ll be out in the sun, handling stain-inducing fruit, so dress everyone accordingly. Pack hats, sunscreen, wet wipes, snacks, and plenty of water. Consider bringing a change of clothes and shoes, and some mosquito repellant, too.
- Bonus: Before your farm visit, check out “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey and read for giggles.
So, how do you pick out a good blueberry?
Ripe blueberries are a tiny bit soft and dark blue, rather than dusty looking. They need only a little tug to pick. If the twig bends, the berry wants to stay on a little longer.
- Only pick ripe blueberries. They won’t get any riper once picked.
- Not too squishy. If they are already too soft to eat, leave them there.
- Refrigerate or freeze if you have no plans for them before bedtime.
Tips and recipes for blueberries
Greta Hardin, author of “Cooking Your Local Produce,” offers the following advice:
- Freeze ‘em. Blueberries are the easiest berries to freeze, hands down. Rinse them, drain them, pick out any straw flowers and stems, toss them in a zip-top bag and freeze. Done.
- Queue up blueberry pancakes, waffles or muffins for the morning. Measure out all of the ingredients the night before, so all you have to do is mix ‘em up and cook them in the morning. This is a great way to get the kids involved in baking. If you do the measuring when no one is hungry or in a hurry you can take all the time you need. This is also a great “one kid is napping, one kid is awake” activity.
- I have been using these two recipes for years, and highly recommend them. Use this pancake recipe from the Food Network and drop five-ish blueberries into each pancake as soon the batter is down. An easy waffle recipe can be found on Hardin’s Fresh Start Cooking blog.
- Make blueberry syrup. For each ½ cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen), use 1 Tablespoon of sugar or syrup. Add the blueberries and sugar to a saucepan (and a splash of lemon juice if you have it). Smash the berries a bit with a fork. Stir over medium-high heat until things start to bubble. Drop the heat to low and simmer until the syrup is a bit thicker and makes you want to eat it with a spoon.
Use the syrup over yogurt or ice cream right away, or cool and store in the freezer in ½ cup amounts. Heat it up and use it at your leisure on pancakes and waffles.
More excellent blueberry recipes kids will love:
- Blueberry Lemon Verbena Galette
- Blueberry Lime Yogurt Pops
- Blueberry, Lemon and Lavender Entremet Cake
Where to pick blueberries
Eastside
Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 700 148th Ave SE, Bellevue
Located in the Lake Hills Greenbelt area, Larsen Lake is operated by the Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department. Products include cut flowers, a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, u-pick and frozen blueberries.
Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm, Bellevue
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 2220 Bellevue Way SE, Bellevue
Products include cut flowers, a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, U-pick and frozen blueberries. U-pick blueberries typically opens around mid July. Stay updated and check website closer to date range listed above.
Blueberry Glen, Duvall
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 14355 Kelly Road NE, Duvall
This blueberry u-pick farm is located in Duvall, an 11 acre family farm. It has u-pick flower garden, as well as other local goods, drinks and snacks you can purchase during your visit. Don’t miss out on their special date night events for couples to enjoy an evening picnic on the farm. Check their facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
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Bybee Farms, North Bend
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Check closer to date)
- 42930 SE 92nd St. North Bend, WA
Take a small trip to North Bend and visit this family farm! They offer u-pick blueberries for the summer season and it typically begins around July. Check their facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
The Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center at Cascadia Farm
- Blueberries U-Pick: July to August
- 55749 State Route 20, in Rockport
The Pacific Northwest Organic Center at Cascadian Farm is located in eastern Skagit Valley. The farm offers raspberries and blueberries for U-Pick summer 2025.
South of Seattle
Blue Dot Farm, Enumclaw
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 21010 SE 416th St., Enumclaw
This blueberry farm has nine primary varieties with at least fifty bushes each: Spartan, Patriot, Blue Ray, Toro, Chandler and more. There are another seven varieties with a few bushes. The blueberry u-pick season begins around early July. You must make an appointment by calling or texting the number below. Check website for updates closer to date range noted above.
Bob’s Blueberries, Kent
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Around mid-July
- 17403 SE 244th Pl, Kent
Check out this blueberry farm located south of Seattle that offers U-pick blueberries! Bring your own box.
Canter-Berry Farms, Auburn
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 19102 SE Green Valley Rd, Auburn
Canter-Berry Farms is a small friendly blueberry farm just southeast of Auburn in the upper Green River Valley in the shadow of Mount Rainier. They raise 8 different blueberry varieties that offer unique flavors. Check facebook for updates closer to date range listed above.
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Linbo Blueberry Farm, Puyallup
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 1201 S Fruitland, Puyallup
Over 3 acres of 20 different heirloom blueberry varieties at this family owned u-pick farm located south of Seattle in Puyallup. Check facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
Pearson’s Bees and Berries, Renton
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 1733 NE 20th St., Renton
Their two main types of blueberries at the farm are called Concord and Jersey Blueberries, which are good for eating, baking, and freezing. This u-pick blueberry farm requires appointments before your visit. Check Facebook for updates closer to the date range listed above.
Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, Tacoma
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Around July
- 7402 E D St, Tacoma
Take a trip to Blueberry Park, located in Tacoma, south of Seattle. Now, more than 3,300 bushes represent five varieties of blueberry that produce fruit. Picking season typically runs from July through September.
North of Seattle
Blueberry Blossom Farm, Snohomish
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 8628 Fobes Rd., Snohomish
Visit this family owned, u-pick blueberry farm just outside of the city of Snohomish, WA with just over 2 acres. Their berries consist of four different varieties (in ripening order): Dukes, Spartans, Sierras, Bluecrop. Check facebook for updates closer to date range listed above.
Bow Hill Blueberries, Bow
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 15628 Bow Hill Rd., Bow
This family owned u-pick blueberry farm is usually open for the season around July. The u-pick is only open on weekends on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 a.m. Check website for updates closer to date.
Valentina Farm (Formerly Bryant Blueberry Farm), Arlington
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 5628 Grandview Rd., Arlington
This is a family-owned, child, adult and family-friendly farm in Arlington, about 45 minutes from Seattle. They offer a u-pick and we-pick berry farm. Kids will have fun picking berries and playing on their playground, as well as barn animals. Check facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
Carpenter Creek Farm, Mount Vernon
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 20177 East Stackpole Road, Mount Vernon
This is a small blueberry farm located just south of Mount Vernon in Washington’s Skagit Valley. During the summer harvest season they are open with u-pick and pre-picked berries. Check facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
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Mountainview Blueberry Farm, Snohomish
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 7617 E Lowell-Larimer Rd., Snohomish
Visit 9 acres of blueberries at this blueberry U-pick farm located in Snohomish. The farm several varieties of blueberries including Earliblue, Concord, Duke, Stanley, Rancoccas, Collins, Blue Ray, and Bluecrop. Check Facebook for updates closer to date range listed above.
Schuh Farms, Mount Vernon
- Opening Day for Blueberry U-Pick: Typically around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 15565 WA-536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
This Skagit Valley family farm provides fresh produce, pies, baked goods, flowering basket and much more. While the farm is open April through December, it offers a variety of u-pick options for the summer season including strawberry u-pick starting in June, followed by raspberry and blueberry u-pick in July and August.
Terra Valley Farms, Monroe
- Opening Day Blueberry U-Pick: Around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 19501 Tualco Rd, Monroe, WA 98272
Make a trip to Monroe for a u-pick experience at this beautiful farm. They offer raspberry, strawberry, mulberry and blueberry u-pick. The blueberry u-pick will begin around July and go until August (be sure to check their Facebook for updates closer to date).
West of Seattle
Bainbridge Island Blueberry Co., Bainbridge Island
- Opening Day Blueberry U-Pick: Around late June/July 2025 (Exact day has not been announced)
- 11054 Madison Ave NE, Bainbridge Island
Take a short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island and stop by this U-pick blueberry farm. Check facebook for updates closer to date range noted above.
