Visiting a U-pick berry farm is quintessentially summer, and thank goodness for so many berry-picking options around Puget Sound. Typically, the strawberry season starts in early June, followed by blueberries, raspberries, tayberries, and blackberries in July and August. Blackberries don’t particularly grow at a farm, but many find these yummy gems on neighborhood sidewalks or side streets. Here are some tips on what to do with blackberries once you’ve picked them.
Many of our region’s u-pick farms offer more than berries, including other crops, play areas, and farm animals. If you love berry season, then kick things off at the Vashon Strawberry Festival. Enjoy jams, pies, lemonade, and strawberry shortcake. Don’t miss the parade, dancing, artists, and vendor booths, too.
[ More berries: Things to know and farms that host raspberry u-picks, and blueberry u-picks]
Here are 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.
- 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).
(Photo by Molly White)
Strawberry U-pick:
Snohomish and Skagit County
Bolles Organic Berry Farm, Monroe
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.
Strawberry opening date: Tuesday, June 11. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Wednesday).
Address: 17930 Tualco Loop Road, Monroe / 425-876-9878
Berry picking (photo: Allison Holm)
Swan’s Trail Farm, Snohomish
Open daily from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
U-pick Strawberries opening day: Thursday, June 6th at 9 a.m.
U-pick price: $3.75 / pound.
Check their Facebook or Social media for possible closures before your trip. Strawberry field openings are subject to change for ripening.
Baby Animals and Berry Festival on June 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22, 23.
Cost: $14 – $22.95 + tax. 12 months and under FREE. Buy tickets here.
Address: 7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish / 425-334-4124
Bailey Family Farm, Snohomish
Bailey’s is a fifth-generation family farm in the Snohomish Valley, offering acres of veggies, fruit, pumpkins and more. Check the Facebook page for when this farm will open.
U-Pick Strawberries open on Monday, June 10th.
U-pick strawberries and veggies through the summer.
Cost: Pay for the produce you pick.
Address: 12968 Springhetti Road, Snohomish / 360-568-8826
Biringer Farm, Arlington
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.
Strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, and blackberries are available for U-pick in June and July.
Strawberry season opening day: Sunday, June 9.
Raspberry season opening day:
U-Pick hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Check the Facebook page to make sure fields are open.
Address: 21412 59th Ave. NE, Arlington / 425-259-0255
Raspberry haul (photo: Allison Holm)
Schuh Farms, Mount Vernon
This Skagit Valley family farm has been serving fresh-baked pies, berry milkshakes, canned goods, and local produce (including berries!) for years. The farm is represented at many Seattle-area farmers markets, and you can gather berries straight from the vine at the farm’s U-picks for strawberries, raspberries, and tayberries.
Check out more information on their Facebook page.
Address: 15565 WA-536, Mount Vernon / 360-424-6982
Eastside
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 on Saturday, June 8th. followed by raspberries (July, early August). (And then come the pumpkins)!
Strawberry U-pick Season begins: Saturday, June 8th, and Sunday, June 9th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Raspberry U-pick Season opens: closer to the first week of July
Check the website and Facebook page for daily updates and times.
Address: 32610 NE 32nd St., Carnation / 425-333-4135
Remlinger Farms (Photo by Allison Holm)
Harvold Berry Farms, Carnation
This Carnation berry farm is a family favorite for U-pick strawberries and raspberries.
Call first or check the Facebook page to make sure fields are open.
Strawberry season opening day: Open Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Address: 5207 Carnation-Duvall Road NE, Carnation / 425-298-5125
Snacking on strawberries. (Photo by Allison Holm)
South Sound / South King County
Picha’s Berry Farm, Puyallup
This family farm has been in operation since 1904 growing strawberries and raspberries. Pick up cartons of pre-picked berries at both the Puyallup and Tacoma locations; U-pick is only available at the Puyallup location.
The farm stand opens on Friday, June 7th, at 8:30 a.m. at the Puyallup location for pre-picked berries until sold out. Call the farm to find out when U-pick begins.
Check the Facebook page for updates.
Address: (Puyallup location) 6502 52nd St. E., Puyallup / 253-841-4443
Address: (Tacoma location) 7233 S Tyler St, Tacoma / 253-389-1702
(Photo by Molly White)
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 strawberries and raspberries. Get your fill of U-pick at the Kent location.
Opening day for Pre-picked Strawberries is on Wednesday, June 5th (U-pick is open in Kent farm; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ).
Call ahead or check Facebook to make sure it’s open.
Address: (Puyallup – No U-pick at this location) 6012 44th St. E. / 253-922-7635
Address: (Kent – has U-pick) 25175 Frager Rd S, Kent / 253-922-7635
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