Next Up: Cherries, Berries and More

It’s a wonderful time of year for asparagus lovers around the Yakima Valley! We’re blessed here with the perfect conditions for this favorite spring crop. Once the season begins, these delicious spears and other tender spring crops pop up at produce stands, farmers markets and restaurants all around the Valley. In-season asparagus freshly picked from the farm is truly a treat. Asparagus season fills a short window from mid-April into June, so we’re right in the heart of it now with just a few weeks left to go. Don’t miss this perfect time for a road trip to take home, fresh, just-picked asparagus and savor restaurant specialties just minutes from the farm.

Best of all, this is just the beginning of harvest season and there are plenty more just-picked flavors to come in the Valley from now through fall. Take a look at our farm-fresh road trips and mark your calendar for your favorite stops. After asparagus look forward to everything from berries and cherries, nectarines and peaches, heirloom tomatoes, melons and summer squash, sweet corn, wild mushrooms, apples, pears, peppers, pumpkins and much, much more! Tour local food stands or have a u-pick adventure.

Watch for our updates about upcoming cherry u-pick season beginning in June, followed closely by u-pick berries!

So, Where to Find Yakima Valley Asparagus?

First, take a tour of favorite produce stands to stock up on seasonal produce and specialty products. McIlrath Family Farms is a cult favorite around the Valley for just-picked asparagus, both green and purple. The McIlrath family began farming in the Yakima Valley in 1976. Visit them for a wide variety of produce and local goods including beautiful hanging baskets. On the way into Yakima, stop at Precision Fruit and Antiques for fresh seasonal produce, artisan products, local wine and, of course, antiques. Imperial’s Garden is a must-stop in the Lower Yakima Valley. The Imperial family came to the Yakima Valley from the Philippines in 1983 and has built a thriving farm operation. Find an array of the latest seasonal produce at their stand. Don’t forget to check out their social channels for all the latest!

Don’t miss local farmers markets. The Downtown Yakima Farmers Market kicked off the season on May 12. This lovely market features the best, carefully selected local seasonal produce, delicious foods and handcrafted goods.

Restaurant Specials Abound

This time of year it’s hard to not find fresh, local asparagus on restaurant menus and local food trucks. James Beard Award-winning Los Hernandez Tamales  is famous for their annual asparagus and pepper jack tamales. In addition to delectable fried asparagus at quintessential Yakima drive-through restaurants to handcrafted creations at restaurants such as WaterFire Restaurant & Bar, Crafted  and Provisions Restaurant + Market – Just to name a few! We can’t forget to mention the much-anticipated seasonal asparagus pizzas back for another year from Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co and Hop Town Wood-Fired Pizza!

Union Gap Asparafest

The town of Union Gap has a host of asparagus festivities planned this weekend for their annual Asparafest. You’ll find an array of fresh restaurant specialties featuring local, fresh asparagus and delicious asparagus treats from another cult favorite produce stand, Fruit City, offering the best produce since 1966.

There’s More to Come!

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for upcoming harvests! Check out our Farm Stand Road Trips and U-Pick stops for visits from now through October. 

Pictures Courtesy of the WaterFire, Crafted and Provisions Restaurants

Categorized in: Family Fun, Farm Fresh Fun, Farmers Markets, Food and Dining