Making the most of U-Pick farm visits

“Strawberry fields forever” sang John Lennon, and  this is the season for those ready to add berries, tree fruits, vegetables and more to the catchy chorus. More than just a beautiful summer outing and a source for fresh-picked food, U-Pick farms are a valuable way to connect with rural communities, culture and food while supporting the local farming economy.

(U)-Pick your own adventure with tips below on choosing a farm and having a successful harvest day.

Finding U-Pick farms near you

Beyond classics like strawberries and apples, farms in the region grow everything from aronia berries to quince, dahlias to hazelnuts.

It’s surprisingly difficult to get hard data on U-Pick farms. They’re difficult to track, said Dean McClary of the Pierce County Agriculture Program, because they do not require a permit, they’re seasonal, and they are often associated with other services at the same farms. Also, he noted, “how different people in and out of the industry define ‘U-Pick’ can differ.”

Even without an official count, though, there are easy ways to find U-Picks. Eat Local First, a statewide platform, is likely the most comprehensive resource helping consumers connect with local food and farms. It lists 215 U-Picks and U-Cuts (Christmas trees) around the state, though note that though note not every U-Pick operation has a listing. The Puget Sound region is heavily represented, with 47 U-Picks in King County, 38 in Snohomish County and 27 in Pierce County.

Eat Local First offers a sustainability values filter to help consumers find farms using practices such as Certified Organic or Salmon-Safe. Individual farm listings on the site also include a section on that farm’s individual growing practices, such as this listing for First Light Farm. Although not certified organic, owner Jane Reis remarks “We follow organic practices. We put the health of our soil first, believing that healthy soils create healthy plants, create healthy people, etc.”

Because farms can be in transition in terms of growing practices, it pays to visit their website or reach out directly. Terra Valley Farms in Monroe (formerly Willie Green’s Organic Farm) grows a variety of berries (including mulberries and kiwi berries), grapes, pickling cukes, cut flowers and more, and is currently going through an organic recertification. “It has been a bit of a process with the ownership transition,” explains owner Chelcie Britt. “The WSDA has asked us to get our own systems in place before reapplying, but in the meantime, we’re continuing to follow all their guidelines and practices on the farm.”

When are U-picks open?

This handy harvest schedule from Eat Local First provides a good overview of when Washington grown produce is ripe and ready. That said, U-Pick season arrives when the farms are ready for visitors. “It’s always a good idea to remind folks that farms set their own schedules,” said Micha Ide, Small Farm Direct Marketing Specialist with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

She concurred with the guide that U-Pick season typically runs from June through October, starting with strawberries in early June (and, depending on variety, going into September) with other berries arriving late June through August.

And, depending on variety and growing conditions, berry season can last into September, says Sunshine Chasengnou, who operates two blueberry farms for the City of Bellevue.

“Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm features seven distinct varieties of blueberries, while Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm offers six,” notes Chasengou. “Our season usually runs from early July to late August, but depending on weather conditions, it can extend into early September.”

For stone fruits, the window can look different based on where you live, says Ide. “Depending on the variety and part of the state, peaches and nectarines can be ripe as early as June. It’s typically later in Western Washington.”

Also, don’t forget cherries, says Floyd Stutzman of Stutzman’s Ranch in Wenatchee. “Our U-pick season starts in late June with cherries, then after a few days the peaches start and go for most of the summer with the different varieties followed by nectarines in late August. Seedless table grapes, plutos and apples are in September.”

Other tree fruits like organic apples, plums and pears can be found at Skipley Farm in Snohomish starting in July through late October according to their website. More apples, fruits and nuts including currants, Aronia berries, hazelnuts and chestnuts await picking during late summer and fall at Raising Cane Ranch in Snohomish.

And, if vegetables are on your list, Bailey Family Farm in Snohomish offers over 60 acres of vegetables and fruit, June through October. Similarly, the U-Pick season at First Light Farm and Learning Center in Carnation, with more than 20 vegetable varieties for harvesting (including over a thousand tomato plants), usually opens in late June and runs through the end of October, according to owner Jane Reis, who says “July, August and September are glorious U-Picking months.”

How to plan a U-Pick visit

Even a casual U-Pick visit requires a degree of purpose and advance planning. Are you hoping to pick enough to can a year’s worth of jam, freezing for later in the season snacking and baking, or for a favorite pie or two?  If you’re opting for quantity, plan on heading home post-pick to ensure your freshly picked bounty stays well preserved, especially berries which are delicate and can quickly lose freshness and flavor if left unrefrigerated for extended periods.

According to Kevin West, a “canning evangelist” and author of Saving The Season, “Fruit should be processed as soon as possible after you get it home. Ripe berries in particular can mold within twenty-four hours.” (See here for our tips on washing and storing berries.)

If you’re up for a few hours of picking but not an all-day affair, some farms, like Skagit County’s Bow Hill Blueberries offer a “We-Pick” option, which involve emailing the farm in advance for individual pints, flats (6 pints), and super flats (12 pints). The cost differential, based on 2024 pricing, was $3.85 pound for U-Pick vs. $34 for We-Pick flats at 4.5 pounds.

In terms of choosing a farm, it’s always fun to start with recommendations from friends and family; Eat Local First has also curated an excellent list of regional U-Picks where they recommend checking out farm listings on their site, as well as social media and website for updates. “Fields get picked out, weather may delay ripening or they may be closed due to rain,” says Jess Meyer, with the Eat Local First Collaborative. Stutzman suggests visitors checking websites and social media.  “Our website or Facebook page is updated almost daily during the season to let customers know what is ripe.”

You may also prefer a more timed experience, like the one offered by Pearsons Bees & Berries in Renton which operates by appointment, says Crystal Pearson. “We have appointments with a reserved row full of delicious berries just for your party.  You fill up food-grade, reusable buckets with lids, which come with your purchase and bring buckets back to get more berries at a discount.”

Growers also appreciate visitors knowing the farm’s policies and recommendations before arriving, including rules about pets. “We ask visitors to leave pets at home,” explains Audrey Matheson of Bow Hill Blueberries, which is certified organic by the WSDA and GAP certified. “As much as we love our furry friends, we can’t allow them in the field because of our GAP certification.”

Annie Bailey, a fifth-generation farmer at Bailey Farms in Snohomish suggests coming prepared for spending time outside in the weather.  “Water, gloves, sun hats or boots when needed are recommended. Be prepared to walk, we grow over 60 acres of U-Pick produce, so there is lots of walking; wagons or totes are recommended for small kids. “

Also, while most farms accept online payment and plastic, bring cash just in case; Raising Cane Ranch only takes Apple Pay and Cash. And some farms, including Bow Hill Blueberries also accept WIC/SFNP and SNAP.

Why visit a U-Pick?

It’s hard to argue with choosing your own fruits and vegetables and getting them fresh from the vine (or tree or ground, depending.) But supporting U-Picks contributes more than that.

“The benefits of local U-Picks are numerous,” says Rosy Smit, Agriculture Program Coordinator with the Snohomish County Washington State University (WSU) Extension.

“People get to visit a local farm and build a connection, learn more about local agriculture including seasonality and varieties that they may not see in the grocery store. It also gets them outside where they get to pick fruit or vegetables at their peak maturity. Going to a U-Pick means supporting local farms, which makes our food system more sustainable and reduces transportation miles on food picked and consumed.”

U-Pick farms are also good for growers, with agritourism an increasingly popular way for farmers to diversify their sources of income, according to Ide.

The best way to pick fruit

Ready to pick? Here’s what farmers would like you to know about harvesting your own food on their farm.

Farmers love having visitors, especially those visitors who respect the land and their livelihood. Britt at Terra Valley Farms offers this simple advice: “Stewardship matters. Pick only what you plan to purchase.” She also asks customers to “Please sample with care. A taste or two is part of the fun, but please keep it thoughtful and respectful.”

In terms of what’s ripe and picking technique, it depends on the fruit. For the best blueberries, says Chasengnou, avoid berries that are still green or red. “Blueberries that are ripe have a deep blue color. Another way to know if your blueberries are ripe is when you gently use your thumb to roll them off the stem into your hand and they don’t shrivel.”

Pearson recommends the tickle technique. “We advise people to find a clump of berries and “tickle the berries” from underneath to get the ripe berries to fall into their hand. If they can position the bucket under their hand as well, any rogue berries will fall into the bucket too.”

The most important advice of all is to relax and enjoy the day, says Reis. “Slow down, breathe and enjoy the natural world.” Britt goes a step further saying “We hope guests will see themselves as part of the rhythm of the farm. That might mean slowing down a bit, noticing what’s growing, and remembering that farms are working ecosystems, not theme parks.”

Sheryl Wiser is a writer and musician who has worked extensively in the local food system.