Berry season: 9 Seattle-area U-pick berry farms to check out

Visiting a U-pick berry farm is quintessentially summer, and thank goodness for so many berry-picking options around the Puget Sound. Generally, strawberry season starts in early June, followed by blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in July / August. Many of our region’s u-pick farms offer more than berries, whether that be in the form of other crops, play areas, or farm animals. Here are nine of our favorites.

A few tips to make the most of your berry-picking outing:

• Always check farm websites (or better yet, Facebook pages) on the day you plan to go to make sure they’re open. Some farms are open daily; others only on select days and times. Farms can be weather-dependent and will often close early if picked over.
• The early bird gets the … berry. Mornings are your best bet as fields can get picked over by lunchtime.
• U-pick fields mean lots of direct sun, so bring your sunscreen, hats and plenty of water.
• While most farms accept plastic, do bring along cash or checks just in case.
• Many farms provide containers free of charge, but consider packing along a few extra pails of your own.

And if your berry picking doesn’t go as planned (we’ve all been there), no worries! Most farms sell boxes of fresh-picked berries (along with other must-try goodies).

Snohomish and Skagit County 

Bolles Organic Berry Farm, Monroe

***(Closed for the season, but come back in September for hazelnut u-pick! Check out Broers Farm down the street from Bolles; they have blueberries)***

Bolles may not be as large as some of the other U-pick strawberry farms on this list, but as we know, good things often come in small packages. The farm is Washington state certified-organic, and offers varieties of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Pick up some organic honey on your way out. Dogs are welcome. Check the Facebook page for daily updates on what’s available.

Opening date: Mid-June

17930 Tualco Loop Road / Monroe / 425-876-9878

The Farm at Swan’s Trail, Snohomish

***(strawberries are done for the season, but check back in September for u-pick apples!)***

You may have been to The Farm for its fall festival and pumpkin picking, but the berries aren’t to be missed! The strawberry U-pick fields are open, but before you go, check the Facebook page or the What’s Happening Now page to confirm days and times. Boxes are provided.

Opening date: May 29

7301 Rivershore Road / Snohomish / 425-334-4124

Bailey Family Farm, Snohomish

***(Strawberries are done, but raspberries are ripe for picking)***

Bailey’s is a fifth-generation family farm in the Snohomish Valley, offering acres of veggies, fruit, pumpkins and more. The farm’s strawberries are ripe for picking — check the Facebook page for the daily status before heading out.

Opening date: June 3

12711 Springhetti Road / Snohomish / 360-568-8826

North

Biringer Farm, Arlington

***(available now: raspberries, blackberries, black cap, blueberries, tayberries)***

Biringer Farm has been delighting families since 1938. Kids can get their post-picking wiggles out on the little playground, or take a spin on the Jolly Trolley. The farm grows strawberries, raspberries and tayberries, following up with black caps and blackberries in July. Check the berry alert homepage or Facebook page to make sure fields are open.

Opening date: June 8 to 10

21412 59th Ave. NE / Arlington / 425-259-0255

Schuh Farms, Mount Vernon

This Skagit Valley family farm has been serving up fresh baked pies, canned goods and local produce (including berries!) for years. You can find the farm represented at many Seattle-area farmers markets, as well as gather berries straight from the vine at the farm’s U-picks for strawberries, raspberries, and tayberries.

Opening date: Early June

15565 State Route 536 / Mount Vernon / 360-424-6982

Eastside

Remlinger Farms

***(strawberries are done, and raspberry u-pick has opened)***

Remlinger Farms is the Disneyland of Carnation, attracting families with its Family Fun Park, farm animals, steam train and – of course — berries. Strawberries kick off the picking season in mid-June, followed by raspberries, and wrapped up with blueberries in late July and August. (And then come the pumpkins)! The U-pick is cash only, and containers are provided. Check the website or Facebook page for daily updates and times.

Opening date: Mid-June

32610 NE 32nd St. / Carnation / 425-333-4135

Harvold Berry Farms, Carnation

***(strawberries are done for the season; raspberry u-pick reopens Tuesday, July 13th at 8a.m.)***

This Carnation berry farm is a family favorite for U-pick strawberries (mid-June through first week of July) and raspberries (first week of July through August). Call first or check the Facebook page to make sure fields are open.

Opening date: Mid-June

7701 Carnation-Duvall Road NE / Carnation

South Sound / South King County

Picha’s Berry Farm, Puyallup

***(strawberry season wrapped up, but blackberries and raspberries are now available)***

This family farm has been in operation since 1904 and has a reputation of growing some of the sweetest berries you can pick! Pick up cartons of pre-picked berries at both the Puyallup and Tacoma locations; U-pick is only available at the Puyallup location. Check the Facebook page for updates.

Opening date: Early June

6502 52nd St. E., Puyallup / 253-841-4443

74th and Tyler, Tacoma / 253-286-9060

Duris Farm, Puyallup, Kent

Since 1955, Duris Cucumber Farm has grown from harvesting, well, cucumbers, to producing green beans, zucchini, squash, and lots of sweet berries. Get your fill of U-pick at the Kent and Puyallup locations. Just be sure to call ahead or check Facebook to make sure it’s open.

Opening date: Early June

Puyallup: 6012 44^th St. E. / 253-922-7635

Kent: 25175 Frager Road S. / 253-922-7635

Happy picking! Where is your favorite U-pick berry spot?

This story was first published on June 3, 2021.

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